Please take a moment and check out the various international travel and exchange opportunities available to U.S. educators. Many of the opportunities are free or subsidized to lower costs for teachers.
Africa and the Middle East
Educators to Bahrain & Qatar Program
This program is a fully funded ten-day professional development study tour in Bahrain & Qatar examining education, history, culture, and industry, through site visits, panel discussions, and cultural activities.
Duration: Ten days
Exchange Country: Bahrain & Qatar
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Individualized Arabic Language and Culture Program
(temporarily suspended)
American Councils and Alexandria University offer individualized instruction in Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial for interested learners prepared to commit 4 – 8 weeks of intensive/immersion study of Arabic in residence in Alexandria, Egypt.
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Intensive Summer Language Institutes
About: This program provides fellowships for U.S. classroom teachers to spend six weeks overseas studying intermediate and advanced-level Arabic in Alexandria, Egypt, and Chinese in Changchun, China. Current K-12 teachers, community college instructors of Arabic and Mandarin Chinese, and students enrolled in education programs who intend to teach these languages can apply. All travel and study-related costs are fully covered.
Duration: 6 Weeks
Exchange Countries: Egypt & China
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Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP)
About: This program places EFL teachers from China and Egypt in U.S. K-12 host schools for an academic year where they teach Mandarin or Arabic language and culture. To increase the number of Americans teaching and learning these critical languages, selected host schools also receive access to grant opportunities to support language learning projects.
Duration: One Academic Year
Exchange Countries: China & Egypt
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Asia and the Pacific
Educational Seminars: India Summer Teacher Program (ISP)
The India Summer Teacher Program provides an opportunity for U.S. teachers to collaborate with and teach with an Indian counterpart for approximately five weeks in Kolkata, India. Open to U.S. high school teachers of English, Math or Science. All Educational Seminars are fully-funded through a grant with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA, U.S. Department of State).
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Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
About: This new program from Fulbright Japan will provide up to 48 U.S. teachers and administrators with the opportunity to travel to Japan on this fully funded program to learn about ESD efforts and strengthen ESD curricula in both countries.
Duration: Varies
Exchange Country: Japan
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Keizai Koho Teacher Fellowship
About: This program offers a ten-day, fully funded fellowship to Japan for approximately ten U.S. educators every year. The fellowship allows teachers to learn firsthand about contemporary Japanese society and enhance their classroom teaching of global perspectives.
Duration: Ten days
Exchange Country: Japan
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Korea Study Tour
About: The Korea Society has announced openings for American educators to participate in Summer Fellowship in Korean Studies to be held in Korea in June and July.
Duration: 2 Weeks
Exchange Countries: Korea
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Summer Russian Language Teachers Program
About: The program offers fifteen to twenty qualified current and prospective teachers of Russian language and culture from schools and universities in the United States the opportunity to travel to Russia for six-week study trips.
Duration: Six weeks
Exchange Country: Russia
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Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP)
About: This program places EFL teachers from China and Egypt in U.S. K-12 host schools for an academic year where they teach Mandarin or Arabic language and culture. To increase the number of Americans teaching and learning these critical languages, selected host schools also receive access to grant opportunities to support language learning projects.
Duration: One Academic Year
Exchange Countries: China & Egypt
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U.S.-China Teachers Exchange Program
About: The U.S.-China Teachers Exchange Program of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations annually sends eight to ten experienced American K-12 educators of any subject to China for a year to teach oral English in selected Chinese secondary schools.
Duration: One school year
Exchange Country: China
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Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan (YLP)
Applications are now available for those students, teachers, and community leaders interested in applying for the Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan (YLP). YLP is short term cultural and educational exchange program, the Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by American Councils. The program focuses on expanding relationships between the people of the U.S. and Azerbaijan and aims at strengthening ties between the two countries.
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Europe
Educational Seminars: Portugal Administrator Exchange Program (PAEP)
Please check back this summer for 2014-15 details. The Portugal Administrator Exchange Program is a short-term, mutual exchange opportunity for U.S. and Portugal school administrators that is fully funded. The program provides a professional development opportunity for U.S. and Portuguese school administrators to work together on issues of mutual interest to their communities, schools and students.
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Eurasian Regional Language Program (ERLP)
The American Councils Eurasian Regional Language program provides graduate students, advanced undergraduates, scholars, and working professionals with intensive individualized instruction in the languages of Eurasia. Participants may in enroll in semester, academic year, or summer programs. All courses are conducted by expert faculty from leading local universities and educational institutions.
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Italy Summer Classics Program
About: The program is designed to provide participants an understanding of the development of the ancient city of Rome and its immediate environs from the earliest settlements to the age of Constantine through a careful study of material remains and literary sources. Participants in the program will learn to read the material remains by becoming familiar with the techniques of interpreting ancient city planning, architecture, and the various forms of art. The second phase of the program is conducted by the Vergilian Society at Cumae and focuses on the social history of ancient Greeks, Romans, and others along the Bay of Naples. U.S. teachers will have the opportunity to interact with one another and to share perspectives on the teaching of Latin, Greek, or the Classics.
Length: Eight weeks
Cost: $0 (funding from the Bureau of Educational Affairs, Department of State)
Requirements: U.S. citizen; hold a four-year degree and have a good academic record of achievement; full-time employee with at least three years of experience as a teacher of Greek, Latin, or the Classics, before the start of the program
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Secondary Academic Cultural Exchange: formerly High School Academic Partnership Exchange (SACE)
SACE is a school linkage program that facilitates exchanges between Eurasian and American high schools.
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Serbia Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) for U.S. Participants (SYLP)
The Serbia Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) supports the development of community activism, leadership skills, respect for diversity, and civic education in youth from Serbia and the United States. This short-term cultural and educational exchange between high school students and teachers/community leaders from the U.S. and Serbia will introduce U.S. participants to civil society, civic activism, and contemporary issues in Serbia.
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Transatlantic Outreach Program
About: The Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) sends social studies educators to Germany every summer on fully funded two-week intensive study tours, exposing them to every aspect of modern Germany, including politics, business, education, and culture.
Duration: Two weeks
Exchange Country: Germany
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U.S.-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program (US-PPYX)
Initiated by Senator Richard Lugar in 2008 to celebrate 90 years of U.S.-Polish diplomatic relations, the U.S.-Poland program is in the process of expanding from a four-week short term program to an academic year exchange program.
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North and South America
Brazil Administrator Exchange Program
About: Brazilian administrators spend three weeks with their U.S. partner (3-4 Brazilian participants to each U.S. administrator) during the fall and the U.S. administrators travel to Brazil the following summer. The programs are individualized through collaboration between partners and may focus on personnel administration, school systems and management, instruction, global issues and culture, curriculum development, student affairs, and/or educational policy.
Length: Three weeks
Cost: $0 (funding from the Bureau of Educational Affairs, Department of State)
Requirements: U.S. citizen; full-time employee with at least three years experience as an elementary, middle or secondary school administrator; host up to three administrative counterparts and a Portuguese interpreter in home community and school (housed in a hotel) for three weeks
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Congress in the Classroom
About: Congress in the Classroom is a national, award-winning education program now in its 19th year. Developed and sponsored by The Dirksen Congressional Center, the workshop is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information on teaching about Congress. Congress in the Classroom is designed for high school or middle school teachers who teach U.S. history, government, civics, political science, or social studies.
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Toyota International Teacher Program
About: This fully funded professional development opportunity sends U.S. educators to the Galapagos Islands or Costa Rica for short term study visits. Depending on the program, selected teachers will work in groups with Galapagueño teachers on the design of interdisciplinary lessons focusing on environmental conservation and sustainability or learn about how Costa Rica is preserving its environmental and cultural heritage.
Duration: Ten to fourteen days
Exchange Country: Galapagos Islands or Costa Rica
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Various
Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS)
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Critical Language Scholarship Program provides group-based intensive summer language instruction to U.S. graduate and undergraduate students in thirteen critical need languages.
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Department of Defense Dependents Schools
About: The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is a civilian agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. DoDEA’s schools serve the children of military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees throughout the world. DoDEA operates public schools located in 13 foreign countries, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Duration: One or two years
Exchange Country: Varies
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Earthwatch Fellowship Program
Earthwatch offers two types of privately funded fellowships for educators to join leading scientists in conservation-related field research on one of 120 projects around the world.
Duration: Ten to fourteen days
Exchange Country: Varies
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Educators Travel Network
Educators Travel Network is a membership based travel network for friendly, congenial people who work or retired from the field of education. Your membership entitles you and your immediate family (partner/spouse and children under 18) to use all of our Educators Travel Network options. You will also receive newsletters and email bulletins about new services we've added and unique stories about our members' travels. Travel is just $40 per night for two. You can also earn free travel by hosting members. You receive $10 in ETN Reward Dollars each night that you host. Using this travel network you can explore the world on a budget!
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Educational Seminars: Exchanges for U.S. Teachers and Administrators (EDSPO)
The Educational Seminars program offers Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State funded grants for teachers and administrators in the United States. Outbound exchanges are short term, taking place during the summer break in the U.S., and focus on sharing of best practices and professional development. Inbound exchanges take place during the school year so that host participants can provide shadowing opportunities and professional development and so that international educators can see U.S. schools in action.
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Educational Seminars Program
This program provides short-term PD to teachers and administrators from around the world, for 2-3 week reciprocal exchange programs and one-way professional development programs. All Educational Seminars provide airfare, training, travel health care, and living costs. Duration: 6-8 Weeks Exchange Countries: Varies
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EF- student and teacher travel
Teachers travel with their student group for free around the world.
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Exchanges, Training and Study Abroad
American Councils administers a variety of cultural exchange, study abroad, and research programs on behalf of both public and private funders. Participation in these programs is through an open, merit-based competition, and facilitates mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and South Asia.
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Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program
Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program About: This program provides short-term study and travel seminars abroad for U.S. educators in the social sciences and humanities to improve their understanding and knowledge of the people and culture of other countries. Topics and host countries of the seminars vary from year to year, though all seminars take place outside of Western Europe and they are designed to provide a broad and introductory cultural orientation to a particular country. Duration: Four to six weeks Exchange Country: Varies
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Fund for Teachers
About: Fund for Teachers awards grants directly to teachers to enrich their personal and professional growth. The foundation recognizes and supports teachers as they identify and pursue opportunities around the globe that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the academic lives of their students and on their school communities.
Duration: Varies
Exchange Country: Varies
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Friendly Plant Travel
A nationwide, wholesale tour operator and travel company offering high quality, full-service international travel arrangements to exotic destinations at affordable prices. Our travel deals have been covered in the New York Times, ABC News, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, National Geographic Traveler, Frommers.com, Budget Travel, TravelZoo and more.
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Geeo.org
GEEO is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and assisting as many teachers as possible to travel abroad and then share their experiences with their students upon their return to the classroom.
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Global Exploration for Educators
About: The Global Exploration for Educators Organization facilitates short trips for teachers to form international relationships and explore overseas environments, allowing teachers to gain fresh perspectives that deeply enrich their students’ learning and global awareness.
Duration: Two to three weeks
Exchange Country: Varies
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Group Study Exchange - Rotary
About: The Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young professionals that provides travel grants for teams to participate in exchange visits between paired areas in different countries.
Duration: Four to six weeks
Exchange Country: Varies
Click the button below; or contact your local Rotary club for more information
click here
Hilton Honors Programs for Teachers
Teachers compete to be awarded fully funded trips around the world.
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IIE Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching
The Institute of International Education (IIE) administers the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Under the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching Program, highly accomplished U.S. primary and secondary level teachers of all subjects, guidance counsellors, curriculum specialists, curriculum heads, Talented and Gifted coordinators, Special Education coordinators and media specialists/librarians may apply for this professional development program to carry out a course of study for three to six months abroad.
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Institute of International Education
IIE, an independent non-profit organization founded in 1919, is a world leader in the exchange of people and ideas. IIE administers over 200 programs serving more than 20,000 individuals each year. Program participants are selected through a competitive, merit-based process.
http://www.iie.org/
International Schools Services
International Schools Services (ISS) serves as a nonprofit assistance organization to recruit teachers and administrators from all grade levels K-12 for full-time overseas positions. It recruits for more than three hundred international American schools worldwide, including community-sponsored, company-sponsored, and proprietary institutions. Duration: Two years Exchange Country: Varies
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IREX TGC Program
The Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (TGC) is a professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers from the United States. The goal of TGC is to provide teachers with the skills and experience to promote global education in their classrooms and schools. TGC features an online course aimed at globalizing U.S. classrooms (CEU credits available), two Global Education Symposiums in Washington, DC, and international travel. Current countries of travel include Ghana, Morocco, Ukraine, Brazil, India, and Indonesia.
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NSLI for Youth (NSLI-Y)
NSLI for Youth is part of a Presidential initiative to increase American citizens’ capacity to engage foreign governments and peoples through the critical languages of Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian and Turkish.
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People to People International
Travel program for selected students. Teacher leaders travel free and do not need to recruit students.
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Rotary Volunteers Program
About: The Rotary volunteers programs seeks to promote international understanding and goodwill through humanitarian service by providing opportunities for Rotarians and other skilled professionals to offer their services and expertise to international projects in need of assistance.
Duration: Varies
Exchange Country: Varies
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For teaching positions abroad:
For information about TEFL certification programs: