During the investigative stages, ask yourself why you want to study abroad. Will your studies advance your academic and career goals---or do you just miss your friends and want to join them. How long do you wish to study abroad? How in-depth an experience do you want? Ask a lot of questions about programs and the funds to participate. Western Illinois University suggests, "Some factors to consider during the selection process are cost, location, courses offered, cross-cultural experiences offered, and whether or not proficiency in a foreign language is required."
Visit the Overseas Study office or website of your school and discuss what you need to do and the time line in which to complete it. Begin your search for scholarships and funding early, allowing plenty of time to complete all the requirements and meet deadlines.Some scholarship or funding programs specify a year or more. Gather financial, personal, academic, and other required documents as instructed by the university and funding organizations.
Funds are available for a variety of study programs in specific locations and purposes. Some are available through privately funded foundations, academic societies, and the U.S. Department of Education.
For example, a Rhodes Scholar in the U.S. program must be an American wishing to study at Oxford University in England. According to the Rhodes website, "Each year, 32 U. S. citizens are among more than 80 Rhodes Scholars worldwide who take up degree courses at Oxford University. The first American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904."
Fulbright Scholars are sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The U.S. program "enables Americans to encounter a wide variety of different cultures, while developing international experience and building leadership skills. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a bachelor's degree at the time of the grant, have sufficient proficiency in the host country language to communicate and carry out the proposed study, and be in good health."
Phi Beta Delta recognizes "the scholarly achievement of international students and scholars, who have studied abroad and faculty and staff who are involved in international activities," and serves "as a vehicle for the development of academic-based international programming."
Student recipients of international scholarships experience educational opportunities through philanthropic foundations or U.S. government agencies with the interests of global understanding and peace. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program "provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide." It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Scholarships are awarded for American students to study in "world regions of critical interest to the US" through the Boren awards.
As for the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships---the world's largest privately funded scholarship program---"students in Rotary's peace programs learn conflict resolution skills."
According to the U.S. Department of Education, "Study abroad programs provide young citizens with cognitive and affective competencies necessary for them to thrive in a global economy, while concurrently providing the nation with a citizenry that is economically competitive and politically savvy..."