Once I participated in Fulbright I learned about a lot of different ways to get out of the classroom and to use my summer vacation to travel. Many of my Fulbright colleagues had participated in other programs that offered them opportunities to travel abroad or domestically and I would love to do some more travel of my own. There are many ways for teachers to participate in professional development and travel the world during the summer without breaking the bank. All of the programs below don't cost a dime for the teacher (in fact some even pay the teacher to participate beyond covering the cost of travel!) and the teacher will come home with new ideas to incorporate into the classroom as well as memories to last a lifetime. So, check out these opportunities, cast a wide net, and pack your bags to go somewhere for the summer on a grant!
Fulbright Short Term Programs offer teachers the opportunity to go and work and learn in one of seven different countries. Unlike the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program where the teacher determines the focus of his or her research project, these projects are already pre-determined and the program length is shorter. This summer there are opportunities in Botswana, Columbia, India, Mexico, Palestinian Territories, South Korea, and Vietnam. To apply for these programs you need a master's degree and must be in a classroom at least 50% of the time. Fulbright is obviously a well-known and respected organization and these short term opportunities may be just the right way to do some work abroad and may even encourage you to some day apply for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program. Applications are due on February 15th.
The Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad is another program available for teachers to travel abroad during the summer and several of my Fulbright colleagues participated in this program (some more than once!). The website states: The program provides short-term study and travel seminars abroad for U.S. educators in the social sciences and humanities for the purpose of improving their understanding and knowledge of the peoples and cultures of other countries. This year there is a trip to Thailand for elementary and middle school teachers, Bulgaria for high school teachers and Chile for college professors. These programs are about 3-4 weeks long and are full of day trips to important sites, outstanding lectures and the opportunity to travel with like-minded and motivated educators. Unfortunately this year's deadline has passed (December 28th) but something to think about for the future.
Teachers for Global Classrooms is another program in which several of my Fulbright colleagues participated. This is a year long program that starts with an orientation and seminar in Washington, DC in the summer of 2017, includes and 8-week online course and culminates with travel abroad for 2-3 weeks in the summer of 2018. The only major requirements are a current full-time teaching job and five years of teaching experience. This application is due on March 20th.
Fund For Teachers is an opportunity to design your own summer professional development experience. As long as you have three years of teaching experience and spend at least 50% of your time in a classroom, you can apply to this program. Teachers are invited to design their own professional experience with a budget of up to $5000 (or $10,000 for teams). Teachers use these funds to travel around the globe...or stay closer to home and attend a seminar, course or program they have found. There are almost no limits on what you can try to do with an FFT grant as long as you can convince the funders it is a worthwhile project and will have a meaningful impact on your students. Obviously a leisure cruise down the Nile will not get funding, but for a teacher that teaches Ancient Egypt, a well planned trip to the pyramids at Giza could be possible. These grants are very competitive but I know teachers that have received them and they are well worth the effort. (And if you don't get funded they will provide excellent and candid feedback about why you didn't get it...I know from experience!) The deadline for these grants is January 31st.
If you're not up for traveling internationally now and are looking for something a little less adventurous but still stimulating and exciting, consider applying for one of the National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Education Summer Programs. These courses range from one to several weeks and take place on college campuses across the country. Many of the courses focus on historical content and are for teachers in the humanities subjects. Take time to do an in depth study of something you've always wanted to know and study with a professor that is an expert in his field. These programs provide a stipend and housing on the campus so that teachers can socialize outside of class. I know several teachers who have found these courses to be very interesting and well worth taking. The deadline for these seminars is March 1st.
These are just some of the programs that can give teachers the opportunity to travel and spend part of summer break doing something intellectually stimulating that will also benefit his or her students. My Fulbright to Finland truly changed me in many ways as a teacher and as a parent and I would encourage everyone to step out of your comfort zone and go on an adventure! Happy travels!