Study Abroad Programs: Essential Resources for HBCU Students

Study abroad programs give students the opportunity to spend a period of time immersed in another culture while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degree. In some instances, the program is undertaken specifically because of the unique opportunity to study a particular curriculum while abroad, and in other instances is simply a way for students to get the chance to learn about and live among the people of another nation while completing credits toward their chosen major.

Only about one percent of all college students in the U.S. spend any time studying abroad during their college career. That being said, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBUCs) offer opportunities for students to spend a few weeks, a summer, a semester, or even a year, studying in another country.

Study Abroad Organizations

Students who wish to investigate their options for studying abroad have a range of organizations at their disposal. Just a few of these resources include:

• AustraLearn – for programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji
• EIS Abroad – for dozens of programs around the globe
• Studyabroad.com – this resource lists programs in nearly every country in the world. If there is an academic program for international exchange students, odds are, it can be found on this website
• NSEP – this program offers students preparing for jobs in government to immerse themselves in another language through study abroad programs
• Planet EDU – this organization offers international learning opportunities in the U.K. and Central and Southern Asia
• GoAbroad.com – for educational, volunteer, and teaching opportunities abroad
• CIS Abroad – offers study abroad opportunities year round and around the world

International Study Financial Aid and Scholarships

There are additionally scholarship funds and other financial aid programs specifically to meet the needs of students at HBCUs that wish to study abroad. Here are just a few of the financial aid and scholarship sources to investigate:

• IES Abroad Diversity Scholarship for HBCU Students
• SIT HBCU Scholarships

The staff of financial aid offices at HBCUs can also be indispensable in securing the funding necessary to complete a semester or year in a study abroad program.

HBCU Study Abroad Programs

While some HBCUs simply don’t have the resources to offer extensive opportunities to their students, other colleges among the HBCU list have robust international exchange programs, including:

• Howard University – International Affairs Center
• Morehouse College – Center for Global Leadership
• Spelman College – International Exchange Program

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