Travel is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and your world. The cost of plane fare, lodging and meals may seem prohibitively expensive, but many grantmaking organizations recognize the educational value of travel and offer help. If you think creatively about how you define travel you want to do, and spend some time applying for these grants, it is possible to get the educational benefits of travel without much--or any--expense.
The prestigious Fulbright fellowship program was created specifically to promote cross-cultural understanding. The program provides sizable grants to support travel and living expenses incurred while executing a project you design yourself. Citizens of the United States and other countries are eligible.
The Institute of Current World Affairs supports fellows (and their families) who propose fellowships in any country. The ICWA has particular interest in fellows seeking to live in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, North Africa (east and west) and Venezuela. In exchange for its support, fellows must provide the ICWA with regular reports on their progress and experiences.
Peace Corps volunteers receive a local living allowance, full medical coverage, funds for post-service transition and student loan deferment. Volunteers are required to travel to a specific post and remain for two years, working with the community in an area of specialty, such as education, youth and community development, or health. Only Americans are eligible.
The International Research & Exchanges Board provides grants to support travel and projects in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The organization offers short-term travel grants for projects in the region (at least a master's degree is required to qualify) and also provides funding for students or professionals conducting advanced research.
The Monbukagakusho program, funded by the Japanese government, provides grants for foreigners to travel to Japan and study a variety of topics. The program, founded in 1954, has sponsored tens of thousands of students from more than 150 countries. Awards have varying age and schooling requirements.
The American-Scandinavian Foundation gives fellowships of as much as $23,000 for yearlong research projects and grants of $5,000 for short-term study in Scandinavian countries. Both individual and team projects are eligible. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree by the time of arrival in Scandinavia.
