Building Upon Your Experience

Now What?

Now that you've returned to campus, here are some ways you can build upon your study abroad experience. 

TOC: Opportunities

Tell Your Study Abroad Story

Knowing how to communicate effectively about your study abroad experience is invaluable, particularly when you are applying for a new opportunity or job. The packet below will guide you through unpacking your experience, identifying your skills and strengths, and sharing your story.

Point:Articulate Your Study Abroad Experience Packet

Keep Up the Language

Sign up to be a Conversation Partner through Yale’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).  This program matches international students, scholars and their spouses/partners at Yale with volunteers from the New Haven and Yale communities for language and culture exchange.

You can also join a Language Conversation Group.  OISS hosts a number of language groups that meet at the International Center weekly. The purpose of these groups threefold: to create a community of people based in language interest, to foster cross-cultural exchange, and to provide a welcoming space where people can learn at their own comfort. 

Get Involved with the Yale Greenberg World Fellows Program

There are many ways to get connect with the World Fellows program, from applying to be a liaison to attending events such as the World Fellows Night.

Visit the Macmillan Center & Yale in the World

The MacMillan Center offers more than 700 lectures, conferences, workshops, roundtables, symposia, film, and art events each year. The Yale and the World website also offers a myriad of resources by region/country.

Volunteer

Local secondary schools often look for interesting outside speakers for their classrooms and assemblies. Volunteer to talk about your overseas experience. Research other international or cross-cultural volunteer opportunities through such sites as Dwight Hall or VolunteerMatch. 

Go Abroad Again

FAQ: Study Abroad

If you have not yet reached the maximum number of credits you may transfer to Yale, consider your options for studying abroad again.

FAQ: Intern Abroad

Gain professional experience in an international setting. Get started by exploring the Office of Career Strategy's advice on internships and learn more about the eligibility requirements for a Summer Experience Award.

FAQ: Explore International Fellowships and Graduate Study

Fellowships are competitive, merit-based monetary awards that support a wide range of purposeful activities, including research, internships, projects, and study. The Office of Fellowships and Funding has provided this sample of fellowships that are particularly suited to students who have studied abroad.

For continuing students:

• Boren scholarships can support the study of less-commonly-taught languages around the world. Apply in January for grants beginning as early as June.
• Critical Language Scholarships support summer programs for the study of 15 different critical languages. Apply in November for grants beginning as early as June.
• The Richard U. Light Fellowship supports intensive language study in East Asia. Campus application deadlines begin in the fall for grants beginning the following calendar year.
• CIPE Summer Fellowships can support various summer activities, including but not limited to research, internships, independent projects, and study abroad. Apply in early February for summer funding.

For graduating seniors:

• Fulbright grants can support one year of teaching, research, or study in nearly 160 different countries around the world. Apply by early September for grants beginning the following fall.
• Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, and many other awards can support graduate study in the UK. Deadlines begin in August for grants beginning the following fall.
• Yale College Postgraduate Awards can support a range of activities, from community service projects to independent study. Deadline in early February for grants beginning as early as June.
• Fox International Fellowships can support one year of independent research at universities in 12 different countries. Deadline in early February for grants beginning as early as June.
• The Richard U. Light Fellowship supports intensive language study in East Asia. Campus application deadlines begin in the fall for grants beginning the following calendar year.

There are many other fellowships available, with varying eligibility requirements and timelines! Explore the Student Grants Database to see the full range of awards offered at Yale.