The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.
Upon your return from abroad, you will likely be energized and excited to stay connected to an international community and may also be looking for ways to get out of the country again. Below, you will find a list of resources to help you get involved in international activities here in Seattle, as well as links to help you find internships, volunteer opportunities, teaching experience, work, and graduate studies abroad. This is not an exhaustive list so we encourage you to also conduct your own research beyond this page.
Ways to stay international while at UW
CIRCLE – Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange
CIRCLE is the largest international community on campus, a place where students can interact with peers from various parts of the world. CIRCLE programs offer many cultural exchange opportunities including Unite UW & CIRCLE of Friends. You can use your study abroad experiences to help out other international students to adjust to the new country/campus. The ways you can engage with CIRCLE can be by volunteering as a CIRCLE Ambassador or just participating in various cultural programs. You can potentially even find language exchange partners or find a student employment opportunity.
FIUTS – The Foundation for International Understanding through Students
FIUTS is a community non-profit organization with a long affiliation to the UW that connects international students studying at the UW with students like you, creating a place where international understanding and cross-cultural awareness can be fostered. FIUTS sponsors various activities throughout the year.
UW Housing and Food Services offers the opportunity for students to live in international community housing and provides students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of global society, as well as share their perspectives from their own rich cultures. International students, students interested in study abroad programs or international studies, and those who have traveled internationally are encouraged to preference the Global Experience Community on their housing application.
Cultural & International Student Organizations
If you are interested in maintaining international ties or keeping up your foreign language skills, search for registered student organizations (RSO) that fit your interests.
The Career Center offers workshops on international careers and internships throughout the year. They can help you incorporate your study abroad experience into graduate school applications, resumes, and interviews.
Campus Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
- Become a CIRCLE ambassador – CIRCLE Ambassadors support CIRCLE by welcoming newly arrived international students. Starting a new life on a new campus in a new country can easily be overwhelming and intimidating as you might have experienced during your study abroad experiences. Sharing your experience and being a friend to these new Huskies can make a big difference in their transitioning experience. All UW students (both domestic and international students) are welcome to participate!
- Inquire about volunteer positions with the Foundation for International Understanding through Students (FIUTS).
- Help prepare future students for studying abroad by sharing your experience via email or during in-person, pre-departure orientations. Contact your UW Study Abroad Adviser for more information.
- Help out at UW Study Abroad promotional events throughout the year. Contact the UW Study Abroad Office for more information at studyabroad@uw.edu.
Keep the Experience Alive
- The UW Study Abroad Office sponsors an annual study abroad photo contest. Do you think you have some good shots from your experience abroad? The winning contestants will have their photos posted around campus and on our website and social media accounts. For inquiries email us at studyabroad@uw.edu.
- Share a brief adventure story or “Traveler’s Tale” from your study abroad or travel experience to post on the FIUTS website. To find out more, inquire at info@fiuts.org.
- Follow UW Study Abroad on social media to get the latest updates on study abroad opportunities, globally-minded student groups and on-campus events.
Ways to stay international in Seattle
Study Abroad Returnee Conference
Any student who has had an international experience is welcome to attend this informative conference designed for returning study abroad students. You will find resources to help you go abroad again, information on incorporating your international experiences into your resume, and opportunities to share your abroad experiences with others.
Seattle Center Cultural Festivals
Seattle Center’s Festál is a year-long series of world cultural events honoring the richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest. The Festál plays a vital part of Seattle Center’s role in connecting our dynamic and varied community.
Seattle International Film Festivals
Throughout the year, Seattle provides a variety of film festivals from different parts of the world. The biggest event is the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), which takes place in summer.
The UW Buddy Program is designed to connect incoming exchange students with current UW Students to promote connection, ease transitions, and foster friendships while in Seattle. It also provides an opportunity for UW students to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and expanding their global network.
Go Abroad Again: Opportunities After Graduation
The Fulbright Program provides grants for graduates to pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad. In addition to the information on the Fulbright website, UW students can also contact the Office of Merit Scholarships for more information.
The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.
Omprakash creates transformative educational experiences by connecting grassroots social impact organizations around the world with an audience of volunteers, donors, and classrooms that can learn from and support their work.
Transitions Abroad is a long-running travel resource for work, living and study abroad.
Go Abroad has resources for various activities you can pursue abroad.
BUNAC helps young people work and volunteer abroad.
PiA offers fellowships for recent graduates across the Asian continent.
Teaching Abroad
Teach Away is a worldwide leader in international teacher recruitment. Search teaching abroad placements in over 40 countries, teach overseas in your subject area at public and private schools, or teach English abroad in universities/colleges and ESL schools.
French Teaching Assistantship Program
The French Ministry of Education and the Cultural Services Department of the French Embassy offer TA positions for American citizens to teach English at various primary and secondary schools throughout France.
Spanish Language Assistant Program
The Spanish Ministry of Education offers this program devoted to providing US and Canadian students and graduates – majoring in any subject – who are native speakers of English or French with the opportunity to assist foreign language teachers in a variety of schools in Spain and to learn about Spanish culture and society and also about its education system.
Promotes grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations. The JET Program has gained high acclaim both domestically and internationally for its role in advancing mutual understanding and for being one of the world’s largest exchange programs.
CIEE offers opportunities to teaching English around the world.
WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded by a group of Harvard students in 1986 in response to the need for educational assistance in developing countries. It also addressed a growing interest among people in the U.S. and elsewhere to serve, teach and learn as volunteers overseas. Volunteers are placed in schools and host communities in developing countries.
Empowers Thai students with English proficiency by placing passionate and skilled American teachers in underserved schools throughout the country.
Resource for ELS teachers and learners.
Graduate School
There are many opportunities to pursue graduate school abroad or attend a U.S.-based program with an international focus.
Country-specific websites:
General or multi-country programs:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships (European exchange program for graduate students)
- Search engine for Graduate Schools Abroad
- General Education Online
- Degree Abroad
- Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
- SIT Graduate Institute (U.S.-based, international and online options)
- Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, CA