study abroad scholarships
HELPING OUR STUDENTS STUDY ABROAD
Increasing access to study abroad programs is personal for our team. To learn why, read our Founder’s story below.
FOUNDER’S STORY
Seven days until the deadline, and I was a thousand dollars short. I couldn’t believe my dream of studying abroad was about to slip through my fingers.
I had always dreamed of traveling abroad so in 2011 when I was presented with the opportunity to study in Taiwan I saw it as a chance to get away, experience something new, and gain a fresh perspective on life. Three years before, I lost my younger brother in a car accident and I was cut from my college basketball team. I was in a tough place searching for something to bring a little joy. I figured a trip away could be the answer.
Had I ever traveled abroad before? Nope.
Had anyone in my family ever traveled abroad? Nope. We didn’t even have passports.
Still, I signed up for the program anyway. No fear, only possibilities.
I passed the required creative writing course and worked overtime for months at my two jobs to raise the $2000 needed for the trip (the university would cover the remaining $2000). I was exhausted but also relieved and ecstatic. I had done it. With just seven days until the deadline, I shimmied into my professor's office with childlike joy and handed over my final payment. I was on my way to Taiwan.
Professor Sample, always gentle in his communication of bad news to students, lifts his head and says “Great, now all you have left is $1000 on your balance”.
Yes, there it is. Right there in your hands, I said (had he lost his ability to read numbers?).
“Yes, I mean with this payment your remaining balance is $1000,” he said.
As it turns out, the $2000 travel award scholarship was reduced to $1000.
I was devastated. I dragged my feet out of his office and burst into tears as soon as I hit the door. How was I going to come up with that much money in just a week?
To this day, I remember the stinging pain of defeat, frustration, and the warm tears running down my face.
The next day, I pulled myself together. I took a seasonal job at a fancy restaurant. I figured I could earn enough in tips and cover the rest with the income from my other two jobs.
Over the next week, I worked as many hours as I could, barely sleeping or eating. Finally, the day of the deadline arrived and I had earned $960. Forty dollars short, I did the only thing any college student does when they’re in a financial bind, I called my mom. With hours left before the deadline, I rushed to the bank, withdrew the last of my savings, and paid the fee just in time. I was finally on my way to Taiwan.
Studying abroad changed my life. I not only gained a fresh perspective on life but I saw my potential extend beyond my previously held limiting beliefs and beyond my community. The world was now open to me.
Studying abroad led me to do the following:
Join the Peace Corps after college. I served in Ethiopia where I helped develop educational programming and infrastructure (classrooms).
Accept a teaching job in China where I would also create my first brand, BLK GEN, organizing cultural exchange events through Beijing and Shanghai.
Start a travel podcast to document the travel experiences and stories of Black travelers.
Launch a travel magazine in an underserved market.
Despite the amazing benefits of studying abroad, many students face the same challenges that I did preventing them from taking advantage of these opportunities. In fact, a 2016 study by the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors data, reported that only 6% of African American students study abroad compared to 71% of white students. The students reported financial barriers and representation as reasons why they don’t study abroad.
At Culture Travels, we aim to change that by providing students with scholarships for study abroad or international education programs and a travel magazine that promotes Black cultural experiences in the travel industry.
To learn how we’re providing scholarships and how you can support us, please read more below.
Our founder, Leroy, exchanging gifts with his pen pal at the National University of Taiwan.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Culture Travels scholarship foundation is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study-abroad population.
Our goal is to award up to $10,000 every year to support students who are least likely to study abroad due to financial barriers.
While we encourage all students to apply for a scholarship, preference is given to students of color, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with financial needs.
HOW CAN I SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP?
BUY A MAGAZINE ISSUE
Proceeds from each purchase go towards our scholarship fund. You can contribute today by purchasing your issue here.
ADVERTISE WITH US
Advertising through our magazine gives your business exposure to over 500,000 readers across three continents and the opportunity to do social good.
Proceeds from advertisement sales also go towards our scholarship fund. For advertising inquiries and rates, please contact us here.
SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsoring a scholarship is a great way for you to make a difference in a student’s life. When you sponsor a scholarship, you are helping deserving students, who otherwise may not be able to afford study abroad opportunities and reach their potential. This places them in a position where they can in turn contribute meaningfully to their community.
To learn more about sponsoring a scholarship, please contact us here.
BENEFITS OF STUDYING ABROAD
ACADEMIC
Consider supporting a student to study abroad for their opportunity to experience different education styles and immerse themselves in the host country's education system, culture, and traditions.
CAREER
Upon completing a study abroad program, students will return with valuable language skills, a new perspective, and a willingness to learn, which are attractive to future employers. Some students may also decide to seek work in their host country, in which case a local education will be beneficial in finding a job.
PERSONAL GROWTH
Studying abroad allows students to become independent, explore their new country, and discover their true selves while gaining an understanding of a different culture. It also tests your ability to adapt and problem-solve in diverse situations. A survey of over 3,400 study-abroad alumni by the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) found that 95% said studying abroad had a lasting impact on their worldview.
THE ROI OF STUDYING ABROAD
CAREER GOALS
The first and primary impact studying abroad makes on the lives of students is that it changes and broadens their post-college career goals.
35% of students reported that studying abroad made a notable difference in their career plans.
The most common career goal difference reported was a desire to consider working in another country.
EMPLOYABILITY
In our globalized job market, it is more important than ever to stand out from other applicants however possible. Research shows that studying abroad gives students additional qualifications that can improve their chances of landing a position.
In fact, in a study of 135 Human Resource managers from 75 companies, a whopping 73% cited studying abroad as important when evaluating the resumes of a job candidate for a junior-level position.
MARKETABLE SKILLS
The skills obtained through studying abroad have been some of the most important to employers. In the same study mentioned above, skills obtained by studying abroad are included in the top 4 most important employee traits.
Top 4 Employee Traits
Substantive
Managerial Ability
Strategic International Understanding
Cross-cultural experience
Furthermore, over 90 % of employers believe that students who have studied abroad are likely to possess other highly desirable skills, including:
Cross-cultural communication skills
Independence
Cultural awareness
Maturity
Flexibility
SOURCES: FRONTIERS JOURNAL | AMERISPAN
FAQs
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The first step of applying for a scholarship is to start your study abroad application and any other program requirements for your school’s program.
You may apply for our scholarships here.
Scholarships will only be awarded to students who have been accepted into their school’s study abroad program.
Scholarship details are typically made available on our website when we open applications for the upcoming school year.
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No, if you are a student at any accredited 2 or 4-year college/university, you may apply!
*Community College & University students
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While we encourage all students to apply for a scholarship, preference is given to students of color, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with financial needs.
Eligible applicants are:
U.S. citizens, DACA recipients, or permanent resident
Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. (graduate students are not eligible)
Academically approved by holding higher than a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
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Scholarship results are typically announced one month after the scholarship deadline. Deadlines can be found on the SCHOLARSHIP page of our website.
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Yes.
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No.
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The number of available scholarships fluctuates each year depending on funding The Buddy pass receives through our issue sales, donors, sponsorship, and advertising dollars.
Each year, the number of student scholarships will increase based on funding.
In 2023, we aim to financially assist at least 10 students.
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In addition to receiving a scholarship, students are also required to document the before, during, and after of their study abroad experience by submitted a 500-page article to the magazine.
Students will be earn $500 their article.
To us, “ongoing support” means creating reflection opportunities to help students understand the value of these experiences, respecting students by compensating them for their creative work, and exposing students to a creative career field through tangible work experiences.
By the end of the program, students will have studied abroad, reflected on their experiences, become a published writer, and received a stipend for school or personal expenses.
