Note: On average the process from application to invitation takes from six to twelve months.
What: The Peace Corps works in countries from
Asia to Central America, and from Europe to Africa. In each of these
countries, Volunteers work with governments, schools, and
entrepreneurs to address changing and complex needs in education,
health and HIV/AIDS, business, information technology, agriculture,
and the environment. Education Volunteers introduce innovative
teaching methodologies, encourage critical thinking in the classroom,
and integrate issues like health education and environmental awareness
into English, math, science, and other subjects.
Stipend:
Pay and living expenses: During service, Peace
Corps Volunteers receive pay to cover living and housing expenses,
earn money for their transition after service, get vacation time, and
have options for possible deferment or partial cancellation of student
loans. Peace Corps covers the travel costs to and from the country of
service. Unlike other international volunteer programs, there is not a
fee to participate in the Peace Corps.
Transition Funds: Returning from overseas
requires some adjustment. To assist with the transition back home,
Volunteers are paid $7,425 (before taxes) at the close of 27 months of
service. This money is yours to use as you wish: for travel, a
vacation, making a move, or securing housing.
Cancellation of Student Loans: Only Volunteers
with Perkins loans are eligible for a partial cancellation benefit.
Fifteen percent of your Perkins loans can be cancelled upon the
completion of each 365 days of service during your first two years of
service, and 20 percent can be cancelled upon completion of each of
the third and fourth years. Therefore, four full years of service
would equal a 70 percent cancellation of your existing loan.
DoDEA operates 163 schools in 8
Districts located in 11 countries, 7 states, and 2 territories across 10 time
zones.
There are 996,069 military
connected children of all ages worldwide, of which more than 70,000 (11.5%) are
enrolled in DoDEA schools and served by approximately 8,700 educators.
All schools within DoDEA are fully
accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies.
What: Americorps offers a wide variety of
year-long programs throughout the United States that involve service
with non-profit organizations including many opportunities that
involve teaching.
Stipend: Most positions come with a small living
stipend and and education award that can be used to pay for
educational expenses such as paying off qualified student loans.
The international schools
affiliated with the Department of State are independent, non-government
institutions. Since they are not controlled by the U.S. government nor do they
operate under any official administrative jurisdictional umbrella, they hire teachers
and staff directly, establishing their own qualification standards and
application procedures. Salary levels and benefit packages vary from school to
school.
The JET Program seeks participants
who are adaptable, outgoing, and who have a deep interest in Japan. Only the
best candidates are chosen to represent America. The JET Program typically
receives 4,000-5,000 applications each year from U.S. applicants. Of these,
1,000-1,100 will be selected for participation on the JET Program.
Each fall, applications are
reviewed to ensure that all required documents have been submitted. Applicants
who pass the initial screening are invited to interview. Selected candidates
will be offered a position with the JET Program and then matched with a
contracting organization.
What: The SCA has a number of opportunities for
college student and recent graduates through their internship program.
Internships run 12 to 52 weeks. Interns can work in education,
interpretation, youth, or living history programs at parks, museums,
and other kinds of sites around the country.
Stipend: Internships include travel to and from
the site, housing, and a living stipend, and in some cases insurance.
Interns may also be eligible to receive Americorps educational awards.
What: CIEE offers programs in Chile, China,
Dominican Republic, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam for
recent university graduates. Programs vary in length from a few months
to multiple semesters. Most are focused on teaching English.
Stipend: Amount and benefits vary by program, but
most include housing and compensation, and in some cases, additional
benefits like insurance or TEFL certification.
What: English Teaching Assistantships are
available in many countries worldwide. The details of each program
vary by country, but generally ETAs are placed in schools or
universities outside of capital cities where they work with student on
their English skills and knowledge of the United States. Some
programs may also allow ETAs to complete independent research projects
simultaneously. Programs generally run 9 to 12 months.
Stipend: Amounts awarded vary by country, but are
designed to cover travel to and from the host country, living expenses
for the duration of the assignment, and some health benefits.
