Global Travel Scholars program

Applications for the 2024 Global Travel Scholars program are now open.

 

About The Global Travel Scholars Program

 

The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s Global Travel Scholars program provides a full scholarship to selected high school sophomores and juniors with financial need to participate in a summer program abroad through World Learning’s The Experiment in International Living.

 

In this program, learning lasts beyond the three weeks you’ll spend abroad. Before the summer, you’ll participate in workshops on topics like cultural humility and self care. And after, you’ll improve public speaking and leadership skills through a final storytelling event and a group project!

 

Travel abroad programs last three to five weeks and involve a combination of host family stays, language training, community service, and outdoor adventures. Since 2004, we have sent over 150 students to more than 20 countries including Argentina, Australia, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mongolia, Morocco, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Tanzania, and Thailand.

 

This is a needs-based scholarship for high school students who have never traveled abroad before and would not be able to do so without a scholarship. The scholarship covers all program fees (activities, lodging, food, etc.), domestic and international flights, health and accident insurance, and passport and visa fees.

Learn more in a virtual info session on Monday, November 20 from 4-5PM!

 

A Transformative Experience

 

In this program, learning lasts beyond the three weeks you’ll spend abroad. In the months leading up to your trip, you’ll participate in workshops on topics like cultural humility and self care. As you connect with your cohort of Scholars, you’ll prepare to be representatives of the Council and the United States while abroad.

When you return, we’ll help you share the transformative experiences you had while abroad! You’ll improve public speaking and leadership skills and share your experience through a storytelling event and a group project.

Developing a network of globally-minded peers, you’ll leave this program better prepared to lead in an increasingly globally connected world.

 

Am I Eligible?

 

In order to be eligible for the Global Travel Scholars program, students must:

 

  • – Be a current sophomore or junior in high school (16+ as of Feb 1, 2024)
  • – Live in the Pittsburgh area or be an active member of a Global Minds Chapter
  • – Have not traveled outside of the United States or Canada, except in the case of immigrants or refugees to the United States who have lived abroad
  • – Would not be able to travel without a full scholarship

 

Questions? Contact Director of Youth Programming Kathleen Newell at kathleen@worldpittsburgh.org.

 

How Do I Apply?

 

To be considered for the selection to the 2024 Global Scholars Program you must complete the following TWO-STEP PROCESS:

 

    1. 1. Complete the Global Travel Scholars Application Form by Friday, January 5, 2024.

 

    • – The Global Travel Scholars Application Form assesses your eligibility for the Global Travel Scholars program, your commitment to – meeting all program expectations, and your interest in The Leadership Institute (optional).

 

  • – The form should take no more than 1 hour to complete.
  • – Answers to all questions—with the exception of questions 16 – 18 (see below)—should be completed by the student applicant; questions 16 – 18 should be completed in consultation with a parent/ guardian.
  • – All questions with an asterisk (*) are required.
  • – You can not save your work in the form.
  • – Be sure to click SUBMIT at the end of the form.
  • – This form must be submitted in addition to your Application for Admission through The Experiment.

 

Click here to access the Global Travel Scholars Application Form.

 

  1. 2. Complete the Application for Admission through The Experiment portal by Monday, January 15, 2024.
  • – Visit www.experiment.org/apply to create an account and complete the Application for Admission.
  • – The Application for Admission assesses your motivation and readiness to travel abroad and your program interests.
  • – Answer Yes to the question on the first Program Selection page, Were you nominated by your sponsoring organization? Then, choose the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh from the drop-down list provided. This will waive the $50 application fee and share your application with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh to be considered for the program.

 

Click here to access the Application for Admission.

 

Questions? Contact Director of Youth Programming Kathleen Newell at kathleen@worldpittsburgh.org.

 

“The Global Travel Scholarship program gets you ready for the real world in ways that one, you will be nervous about and two, you won’t be ready for, but that’s what makes it exciting.”

– Anicet Mundumdu, Global Travel Scholar to South Africa

 

 

Hear From Our 2024 Scholars!

 

Our Global Travel Scholars took the stage at the 2024 International Literature Festival, hosted by City of Asylum on October 3!

 

Our annual Welcome Home Celebration was added to the LitFest lineup along with other speakers and artists. Each Scholar told a true, 5-minute story from their time abroad.

 

The theme of the night: Lost & Found in Translation.

 

We were also joined by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, who awarded our Scholars certificates and spoke about the importance of expanding our worldview and perspective so we can help create a more welcoming city.

 

Watch the recorded program below!