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Study Abroad Returnees

Welcome home and welcome to the Roamin' Redbird Alumni family!

We hope you had an amazing time abroad and we can't wait to hear all about your adventures, see your photos, and help you navigate your next steps.

You're probably wondering what's next and what else you can do to keep your study abroad bug alive! There are plenty of ways you can stay involved with the Study Abroad Team and internationally-focused activities on campus. See below for some awesome opportunities!

Don't forget to check out resources on the following topics as well:

  • Volunteer with Study Abroad
  • Join the Study Abroad Mentoring Program (StAMP)
  • Go Abroad Again

The Study Abroad Team is always looking for past participants to serve as representatives of their programs.  Opportunities include: 

  • Study Abroad Ambassador Program
    • Join our Study Abroad Ambassador Team at ISU!  Help us with classroom presentations, tabling, information sessions, handing out flyers, creating content, and more!
    • The Ambassador application can be found on the HR Jobs website, but please contact us if you have any questions or would like to express interest and alert us to your application.

  • Alumni Contact List
    • Volunteer to serve as a contact for students exploring your program. You're an expert and your advice will be very helpful to them! Sign up to be featured on our Alumni Contact List.

  • Study Abroad Fairs
    • Held once per semester and involve talking to prospective students about your experience on your program. We can also use help welcoming students to the event, taking photos at the photo booth, and getting others excited to study abroad!
    • We typically send out a sign-up sheet to all of our alumni about a month prior to the fair so you can sign up to help.

  • Program Information Sessions
    • Held based on interest and availability and would be specific to your study abroad program, host country, or region.
    • Contact your study abroad advisor to learn more or if you are interested in hosting an information session together.

  • Pre-Departure Orientations
    • Occur once per semester (typically near the end) and would involve answering questions and talking about site-specific information that future Roamin' Redbirds should know prior to departure.

The Study Abroad Mentor Program (StAMP) is a registered student organization that connects study abroad enthusiasts!

  • StAMP pairs study abroad alumni with students preparing to embark on a study abroad program. The mentors serve as a guide for preparing for departure and often can provide different insights than an advisor may be able to. 

  • StAMP also allows study abroad alumni to come together and share their stories from abroad with other students who went through similar experiences!

You went abroad, got bitten by the travel bug, and want to go again - We completely understand!

Study Abroad Again

ISU allows students to study abroad for up to 39 credit hours abroad. 

Going abroad again will depend on your academic major/ plan of study. However, we recommend meeting with your Academic Advisor early to learn about your options and when might be a best fit.  

International and Service/Volunteer Opportunities

Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning

The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning at ISU offers international service opportunities over winter and summer breaks to various locations, including some international options. 

Peace Corps

Many ISU students choose to apply the skills they acquired while pursuing their degree and studying abroad by joining the Peace Corps.  With an intense application process and a two year commitment, this is no easy decision.  However, those who do join find it is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. 

Visit the Stevenson Center for more information about the Peace Corps Service and the Peace Corps Prep Program. 

Work and Volunteer Options

  • Foreign Service - Intern at an embassy or begin a career as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State
  • BUNAC - Work/internship/volunteer opportunities for students and recent graduates in UK, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Cambodia, South Africa and Canada
  • AIESEC - A student-run organization with chapters on many college campuses that offers volunteer and internship opportunities worldwide
  • Cultural Vistas International - Work and internship opportunities in Europe
  • GoOverseas.com - Directory of work, and intern abroad opportunities
  • GOAbroad.com - Directory of many international internship opportunities
  • InterExchange - Au pair, professional internship, teaching English, volunteering, language schools
    and work-travel programs in 13 countries.
  • Cross Cultural Solutions - International volunteering opportunities
  • IAESTE - Internships for students in STEM fields

Teach Abroad Opportunities

Many teach abroad programs offer recent graduates the opportunity to teach English.  While requirements vary by program, many have minimum requirements that you be a native speaker of English and have Bachelors degree in any subject.  You can earn your TEFL or TESOL before leaving the U.S. or upon arrival, depending on the company or country you are planning to work for.  If you have a degree in Education, you may consider teaching in international schools.  Check with each country's national website, each country usually has it's own English Language program. 

 

2023-12-14T13:18:32.444536517-08:00 2023