It is common for students to study abroad multiple times in order to deepen their international experiences. You may consider yourself an experienced study abroad veteran at this point, but there is still much to be done to prepare for your next program.

• Revisit the Getting Started section of the Education Abroad website to review information about how to apply.
• Search for programs using the Education Abroad Program Search to find a program that aligns with your academic and personal goals.
• Meet with your academic advisor to discuss how a second education abroad program will fit with your academic plans.
• Meet with an Education Abroad Advisor to discuss your program or country of interest in greater details.
• Review the Education Abroad Scholarships website to explore funding opportunities.

According to the Institute of International Education Open Doors Reports, over half of U.S. university students who study abroad do so in the United Kingdom, Western Europe, or Australia. Consider studying in a non-traditional location in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central America, or South America this time around.

The NMSU Honors College’s Office of National Scholarships and International Education (ONSIE) provides support to students who are interested in scholarship opportunities, such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and the Boren Award, which fund them to live, work, and learn abroad. ONSIE also sponsors the yearly Honors College International Scholarship (HCIS) competition. This opportunity is open to all NMSU students with a 3.5 GPA and funds a summer of independent research outside the United States.

Boren Award

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships funds undergraduate (Boren Scholarship) and graduate (Boren Fellowship) immersive language study. The focus is on studying less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. national-security interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren undergraduate awards can be for a semester, a year, and for STEM students only, an 8-11-week summer program. Boren graduate awards can combine domestic language study with international immersion. Boren Scholars and Fellows commit to one year of work with the federal government sometime after their time abroad ends.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. The program currently awards approximately 1,900 grants annually in all fields of study, and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide. Competitiveness varies by world region (e.g., the UK is among the most competitive of regions). There are several types of Fellowships, each typically for one year of study abroad:

1. Fulbright Study/Research Grants: The traditional award opportunity where a candidate designs a proposal for a specific country.
2. Arts: Practical training in the creative and performing arts (limited to qualifying fields of study).
3. English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs: Fellowships to teach English in a foreign country. Must be a native English speaker; prior teaching experience is highly desirable.
4. Other Fulbright Fellowships: Fulbright National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship, Fulbright-Clinton Fellowships, Fulbright-mtvU awards, Fulbright Travel Awards, Critical Language Enhancement Award, etc.

“The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation.” The Peace Corps is open to any U.S. Citizen with an undergraduate degree that wishes to volunteer for 2 years in one of 60 countries abroad. Please visit the Peace Corps website to learn more.

Teaching English as a Foreign language is a popular choice with recent U.S. undergraduate students. It is a chance to experience life in another country while making a bit of money. Teaching assignments can come from a variety of places; government-run programs, foreign universities, and private language schools.

• The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program (ETA) places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs help teach the English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.
• Interexchange Teach English Abroad places teachers in Costa Rica, France, Italy, and Spain.
• The American-Scandanavian Foundation offers paid teaching assistantships throughout Finland.
• The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) is the only teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan. With more than 55 countries around the world currently participating in JET, this program offers a unique cultural exchange opportunity to meet people from all around the world, living and working in Japan.
• The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers you the opportunity to work in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages.
• Offered by the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain, the North American Language & Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) offers paid teaching assistantships throughout multiple cities in Spain.

U.S. students can attend graduate programs at institutions all over the world. Most students apply and enroll directly through foreign universities. Students should be prepared to navigate the application and admission process independently or possibly with the help of the host university's admission and/or international office. You may be able to use federal student aid to pay for your expenses. Find out which international schools participate in the federal student aid programs and review the process of getting federal aid to make a dent in that tuition bill. The Federal Student Aid website provides more information about federal student aid for study at an international school or university.