International Student Housing: Considering Your Options

International student housing is and should be one of the primary concerns for students studying abroad. And when it comes to international student housing there are essentially two basic options: On-campus international student housing or living off-campus in an apartment or flat. To help you decide which of these options is best for your particular situation, in this article we will take a closer look at both on campus and off campus living in more detail by pointing out some of the advantages and disadvantages to each of these alternatives.

Off-Campus International Student Housing

Not all students will be eligible for off-campus international student housing. In many study abroad programs students are required to live on campus unless they are pursuing a graduate degree or in instances where the student is married.

However, if you fit into one of these two categories, or if the study abroad program allows for off-campus student housing, your best housing option is probably renting an apartment or flat. Before you do, though, you may want to ask yourselves a few questions to ensure that a) you are eligible and can meet the requirements and b) this is the best living option for you. Ask yourself this when renting an apartment:

· Is there a lease involved? For their security, most apartments now require you to sign a lease before you can move in, and the majority of these leases have terms of either 6 months or one year. If your study abroad program is only for one semester, and you sign a one year lease, you may become financially responsible should you decide to move out before the terms of the lease are up.

· Does the landlord require financial documentation? To ensure you are financially able to make the required monthly payments, many landlords will require some type of financial documentation. This can present a problem for international students, and to qualify you may need to have a United States sponsor to cosign the lease and guarantee the payments.

· Are utilities included? Although formerly many U.S. apartments would include utilities in the price of the rent, few seldom do anymore due to the rising cost of electricity and water. This is an extra expense you will need to consider before making your housing decision.

On-Campus International Student Housing

On-campus international student housing, in residence halls and dormitories, is not only a more affordable option than off-campus student housing, the experience also has many inherent benefits, including:

· Amenities. When living in a dormitory there are many amenities to benefit from, including phone service, high-speed internet access and laundry facilities.

· Campus events. On campus international student housing keeps you close to the action, with on-campus events such as sports, concerts, lectures and more.

· Meals. Included in the cost of most on-campus international student housing is a flexible meal plan—three meals a day with a wide selection of food.

· Close proximity to campus buildings. Not only are students living on campus very close to campus classrooms, they also have easy access to other campus buildings, such as the library, student store, recreational facilities and computer labs.

Most study abroad program experts believe that on-campus international student housing enhances the experience of a foreign education. Living in a residence hall with others gives international students regular opportunities to participate in the total university experience and to make new friends with fellow residents.

International Exchange Programs for Teachers

Are you a United States secondary, elementary or college teacher with a strong interest to visit other countries and to learn the customs, traditions and language of their people? Would you be interested in teaching the English language and other subjects to students in this host country in exchange for this wonderful opportunity? If so, you may want to consider one of the many international exchange programs for teachers. In this article we will provide a bit more detail about how these international exchanges are structured, and highlight one such international exchange to give you a better idea about the program requirements and how to apply.

What Are International Exchange Programs for Teachers?

When most people think of exchange programs between countries, their thoughts immediately turn to student exchange programs, either at the secondary or university level. In that model, students from foreign countries participate in either a short term or long term program in which they study in a foreign country while living with either a host family or in some type of student housing. Actually, these student exchange programs are very similar to the international exchange programs for teachers.

International Exchange programs for teachers give educators the unique opportunity to teach English and other subjects in another country. The programs can either be short term, spanning 4-6 weeks, or long-term, in which teachers will remain in the host country for an entire semester or school year. Language proficiency is not required for these programs, but a strong interest to learn the language is definitely encouraged. Housing options can include living with a host family as many students do, but usually the teacher’s housing is provided by the organization that sponsors the international exchange.

International Exchange Programs for Teachers: One Example

One example of an international exchange for teachers is the program that is sponsored by the Rotary International Club, one of the largest and most well-known service clubs in the world. Initiated in 1992, this international exchange sponsors English teachers at the elementary, secondary and university level to teach English in Spanish, Portuguese and Russian speaking countries.

To date, U.S. teachers have been placed in over 50 communities around the world to teach 4-week sessions of English to speakers of other languages who could benefit from a working knowledge of the English language. This is a unique opportunity for teachers to experience the customs, traditions, language and culture of another country while simultaneously providing a valuable service as a teacher of English.

Applying for the Rotary Club International Exchange program is really a rather simple process, usually entailing an application and interview. Once accepted, teachers will be given ample time to prepare prior to their departure, and the Rotary Club will pay for round trip transportation, room and board, as well as any local transportation costs during their stay.

Aside from their teaching duties, teachers will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of cultural activities, as well as sightseeing ventures in the host country.

With this international exchange program and many more like it, teachers will not only help learners in the country they travel to, but they will usually become better prepared to serve the needs of international students at their home school, and become more versed in the challenges these students face.

Educators Scholarship: Financial Assistance for Aspiring Teachers

Have you ever thought of becoming an educator—a teacher with the opportunity to change the lives of your students for the better? If you have, you may be surprised by all the opportunities for financial assistance that are currently available, including many organizations that offer a full educator’s scholarship. In the article below we will list a number of these opportunities for financial assistance, including educator’s scholarship, grants and fellowships, with a brief description of each offering.

Financial Assistance for Educators: Scholarship, Grant and Fellowship Opportunities

AFCEA Educational Foundation

The AFCEA Educational Foundation’s educator’s scholarship is available to students who are actively pursuing an undergraduate degree or teaching credential for the sole purpose of instructing United States secondary school students in mathematics, science, engineering and technology.

James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation

Dedicated to producing exceptional teachers with a deep knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship is an educator’s scholarship that is annually awarded to teachers of American History and Government, along with Social Sciences teachers pursuing a graduate level degree. The fellowship is awarded through a national teacher competition held each year.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematic

Each year the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics awards an educator’s scholarship for both elementary and secondary school teachers of mathematics who are pursuing a graduate degree. Teachers of mathematics are underrepresented in many teacher preparation programs, which is why many organizations such as this are so eager to offer these types of educator’s scholarships.

Barbara Latze Educator’s Scholarship for Future Teachers

The Barbara Latze Educator’s Scholarship is for undergraduate students who are either enrolled in, or plan to enroll in a program of physics with the purpose of teaching at the secondary school level.

Woodrow Wilson-Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowships

The Woodrow Wilson/Rockefeller Brothers educator’s scholarship is aimed at helping aspiring teachers of color earn their undergraduate degree and certification to teach at a K-12 school. The fellowship is awarded annually and is open to students who are currently enrolled and those planning to enroll in any teacher preparation program.

Lenore Annenberg Teaching Fellowship

The Lenore Annenberg educator’s scholarship is very unique in that it offers recent college graduates AND career changers financial assistance if they agree to work in urban and rural communities with a disproportionate number of disadvantaged youths.

The number and variety of educator’s scholarships is very impressive indeed when compared to the number of scholarships offered to students in other fields of study. This is largely due to the extreme need for qualified teachers in almost every state across the county. If you are either currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or teacher preparation program, OR if you are considering returning to school to pursue a program or degree of this nature, there has never been a better time to do so. New scholarship opportunities are always being added, so for additional information about what is available in your area, you may want to speak to the Financial Aid office at the school you plan to attend.

Are You a High School Study Abroad Candidate?

Are you a high school study abroad candidate? Are you interested in a great adventure—an adventure that will allow you to see the world while earning valuable high school credits? If you’re a student who wants to combine exciting travel with the opportunity to study in a foreign high school, then high school study abroad programs can offer you a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity.

Are You a High School Study Abroad Candidate? A Few Questions

High school study abroad programs are certainly not for everyone, but they are for students who enjoy a challenge and can easily adapt to a change in their routine. If you’re currently pondering an opportunity to study abroad, answer the questions below to see if you might make a good high school study abroad candidate:

· Does the idea of learning how to speak a new language, while studying in a locale where that language is constantly spoke appeal to you?

· Do you enjoy challenges? Studying and living in a foreign country can be an amazing adventure, but unless you are completely open to new challenges—learning a new routine, making new friends, staying with a host family—then high school study abroad programs may not be for you.

· Does the opportunity to learn about other cultures interest you? Studying in a foreign country means that, for a time, you will be totally immersed in a different culture. Students who can appreciate the value of learning alternate perspectives about the world usually thrive in high school study abroad programs.

· Do you like to travel? The world is a vast and interesting place, but sadly, many people will remain fixed in one location their entire lives. If you think you’d enjoy traveling and seeing the world, and you simply refuse to wait until your “golden years” to do so, then high school study abroad programs are perfect for you.

Where Do You Want to Study?

If you’ve decided you would make an excellent candidate for a high school study abroad program, the next step is to choose a location in which you would enjoy studying. High school study abroad programs are offered in an abundance of locations throughout the world, including France, with a famous reputation for academic excellence; Spain, with a more relaxed atmosphere and a number of historical sites to visit; and even Costa Rica, which surprisingly has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Programs are available in almost every county and major city in the world, so take some time to research these areas thoroughly, and select a country that most closely matches your interests.

Researching High School Study Abroad Programs

When researching high school study abroad programs you must first consider your primary motivation for studying overseas. For example, are you looking for a rigorous academic program, language instruction, or do you merely want to visit some interesting landmarks with historical significance? Whatever your reason for wanting to study abroad, use that as your starting point, and it help to dramatically narrow your search results.

As long as you meet the requirements to study abroad, the choice of programs and locations is virtually limitless. And once there, you’re bound to have an exciting and educational experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.