International Opportunities for Teachers
There are so many opportunities for teachers to travel internationally - grants, fellowships, exchange programs and even discounted travel for personal enrichment.
The Institute for International Education is an organization that anyone interested in educational travel should get to know. In addition to administering tons of interesting travel grant programs, the IIE is a source for research, policy updates, and opportunities for teachers and working professionals.
The Institute for International Education is an organization that anyone interested in educational travel should get to know. In addition to administering tons of interesting travel grant programs, the IIE is a source for research, policy updates, and opportunities for teachers and working professionals.
grants and fellowships...
- Grosvenor Teacher Fellowships From National Geographic: Each year, National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions take K–12 geography teachers on expeditions around the world. In general, about 25 educators from the U.S. and Canada are selected for fellowship trips each year, and participants travel to exotic locales and participate in professional development and curriculum-building activities. Applications for 2018 expeditions open in November.
- Fund for Teachers Fellowships: Fund for Teachers fellowships enable U.S. educators to design their own professional development programs. International and domestic travel are often included in grant proposals, and FFT has been supporting these grants for U.S. educators since 2001. Additionally, FFT has links to some other great travel fellowships. Applications open in October 2017.
- Teachers for Global Classrooms Program From IREX: This Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program, administered by IREX, is a year-long cultural exchange for U.S. elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. The program includes intensive training, an international field experience, and a global education symposium in Washington, DC. Applications open in December 2017.
- Grants to Travel to Polar Regions From PolarTREC: PolarTREC offers annual grants to U.S. 6–12 teachers that enable them to spend three to six weeks in polar regions and participate in field research projects. Since the program’s launch in 2007, teachers have traveled to Greenland, Alaska, and Antarctica and have studied a range of science-related topics, including wetland dynamics and coastal ecology.
- Teacher at Sea Grants From NOAA: Since 1990, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Teacher at Sea program has enabled more than 600 teachers to sail aboard NOAA research ships and gain hands-on research experience. The program is open to U.S.-based K–12 and college educators, and participants study oceanic and atmospheric science alongside NOAA scientists. Applications for the 2018 program will open in late 2017.
- Teach Earth Conservation Research Grants: The Earthwatch Institute’s Teach Earth program offers U.S. K–12 educators the chance to support conservation projects in natural locations around the world. In addition to research, educators also participate in science learning and professional development. To be notified when applications open, educators must fill out an interest form; qualified teachers will be invited to complete a full application, due in late 2017.
- German Study Tours From Goethe-Institut: Every year, the Goethe-Institut offers U.S. and Canadian social studies and STEM educators the opportunity to travel through Germany on two-week excursions. During the tours, “each corner of Germany is sampled through sight, sound, touch, and taste.” Applications for the 2018 program will be released in October.
- Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows Program in STEM: The Einstein program enables U.S. teachers to advocate for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) on Capitol Hill and/or in congressional offices for up to a year. The application process for the 2017–18 school year is closed; the application process for 2018–19 will open in late summer.
- Peace Corps Response provides the opportunity to serve a much shorter term than the traditional two-year Peace Corps commitment. Stints can span from a few months to a year. Teachers are frequently recruited for Peace Corps Response placements because many limited-term positions focus on education. Applicants need not have served in the Peace Corps, but are required to have extensive teaching experience. The Peace Corps pays for your travel and provides a modest living allowance. The application process is lengthy, so it's best to start early!
- Keizai Koho: Sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania, Keizai Koho offers two-week summer study tours in Japan with a focus on economics, business, and education. Fellows participate in lectures and visit cultural sites throughout the two weeks. A requirement of the program is to create a lesson plan using what has been learned during the study tour -- a small price to pay for a rich educational experience.
- The Korea Society offers study tours in Korea throughout the year. Most mornings consist of lectures, followed by afternoon cultural outings to temples, palaces, schools and restaurants. The Korea Society will expect you to create a unit on Korean culture or history upon your return to the US.
- Fulbright Programs: The Institute of International Education is one of the world's largest and most experienced international education and training organizations. Through its Fulbright Programs, it offers a variety of teaching exchanges. Program lengths and locations vary.
- Gilder Lehrman: A nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education, Gilder Lehrman has developed an array of programs for schools, teachers and students that operate in all 50 states. Their workshops focus on American and world history. Private school teachers are expected to contribute to the cost of their workshops.
- NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States, providing dozens of workshops and seminars during the summer months. They range from 1-6 weeks and are offered in the U.S.A. and abroad.