Experiencing the World Fellowships

Undergraduate opportunities

Conduct RESEARCH in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Gain RESOURCES to prepare you and fund your research

Build RELATIONSHIPS with faculty and peers

The Kellogg Institute offers the opportunity for Notre Dame first years, sophomores and juniors to engage in initial exploratory projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The award funds exceptionally qualified and committed undergraduates who seek to undertake innovative projects. These may include non-profit work, or research that will increase their commitment to and knowledge of one of the regions.

In response to significant federal layoffs, the Kellogg Institute organized a virtual meeting with alumni, including those who have recently lost jobs in federally-funded programs, to discuss next steps and share career resources for individuals navigating employment transitions. MORE

Reports from the Field

The Kellogg Institute offers the opportunity for Notre Dame first years, sophomores and juniors to engage in initial exploratory projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The award funds exceptionally qualified and committed undergraduates who seek to undertake innovative projects. These may include non-profit work, or research that will increase their commitment to and knowledge of one of the regions. Award recipients may receive up to $6000 to pursue field projects for up to three months in the chosen region.

Students interested in this award must justify their project as something that will substantially deepen and enrich their undergraduate experience and must show that this project is something that is otherwise not possible within existing Notre Dame programs. Student projects might include exploratory work for senior theses, area studies essays, or International Scholars research; collaborative research with a professor; work for a non-profit organization or NGO; or other creative forms of experiential education.

Students selected for the program will begin preparing for their summer experience through a series of orientations (see tab) with the Institute. Failure to attend orientations in full will result in cancellation of the award.

Why should I apply?

Initiative. Flexibility. Creativity. Cultural awareness. Language ability.
ETW Fellowships help students develop these skills, which are qualities employers and graduate schools look for in their applicants.
ETW field experiences often lead to further research projects including capstone and senior theses.

It is strongly recommended that students attend a grant writing workshop offered by the Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE). See http://cuse.nd.edu/ to learn the details.

All applicants should meet with Rachel Thiel at least a month in advance of the deadline to ensure their proposal can be funded. It is in your very best interest to have this meeting before applying.

The deadline to apply has passed. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by the end of March.

Eligibility

Students interested in this award must meet the following criteria:

Be a first year, sophomore or junior.
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Have taken at least one course at Notre Dame related to the proposed region of the project and/or demonstrate prior interest in the region.
Demonstrate adequate language skills to carry out the proposed project.
Applications should indicate how the proposed project will deepen the student's exposure to Africa, Asia, or Latin America and contribute to the student's long-term plan of study.

All students planning to apply for an Experiencing the World Fellowship should meet with Rachel Thiel to ensure that their proposal idea meets the requirements of the fellowship. It is in your very best interest to have this meeting before applying.

Students selected for the program will begin preparing for their summer experience through a series of orientations with the Institute. Failure to attend orientations in full will result in cancellation of the award.

Upon their return, each recipient will submit a detailed report of approximately 1,000 words which evaluates the challenges and rewards of pursuing the field project and which discusses how the experience informed their understanding of the region. Recipients may be invited to make a public presentation on their field experience and talk to other students interested in applying in the future.

For questions about this program, please contact Senior Program Manager Rachel Thiel (rthiel@nd.edu/1-4846).

Application Process

All applicants should meet with Senior Program Manager Rachel Thiel several weeks before the deadline in order to verify that their proposed project and country site could be supported by the Kellogg Institute. It is in your very best interest to have this meeting before applying.

To apply for a Kellogg Institute ETW Fellowship, please go to the online application page. You can login to the application system using your Notre Dame credentials. Before sending questions to the program administrators, please open the application and review.

The application consists of the following:

A project proposal (no more than three pages, 12 pt. font, double-spaced). The project description should include details about your proposed work during this time, the length of time you intend to spend on the project and an explanation of how the project fits with your long-term academic goals.
Organization Information (If you intend to work with a specific organization, please include the organization name.)
Proposed travel itinerary and schedule
A detailed budget for anticipated expenses incurred during the fellowship period, including travel, food and lodging, and other expenses. Please include a budget justification sheet to explain expenses in detail, including flight itineraries (if you have them), materials, etc.
A letter of recommendation from a faculty member who is committed to overseeing the project and has thoroughly read your proposal. The system will ask for the name and email address of the person whom you have asked to write a letter of recommendation. Please request the letter from your faculty recommender several weeks ahead of the deadline, and please inform him/her that the email will come from Submittable.
An e-transcript (see information regarding how to request an e-transcript.) Applicants must request their e-transcript by 4:00pm at least two business days before the deadline in order to upload it into the application system on time.

The deadline to apply has passed. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by the end of March.

Levels of Support

Funding is available for a variety of project costs, including research materials and assistance, as well as travel. Individual awards will not exceed $6,000, and proposals will be considered for any amount below this figure. Applicants are required to notify the Kellogg Institute of any funding received from another source; in some cases the Program may adjust the amount of its award. Undergraduates are eligible for only one ETW Fellowship.

Questions about the program and status of an application should be submitted to Senior Program Manager Rachel Thiel at 631-4846.

Organizations

The Kellogg Institute for International Studies supports undergraduate research in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, related to the Kellogg research themes of democracy and human development. Students can apply for an Experiencing the World (ETW) Fellowship and/or Kellogg/Kroc Undergraduate Research Grant to receive training, funding, and reentry support.

In some cases, applicants for the above programs are expected to work with a host organization, which requires students to make contact with the organization where they would like to intern or do research. Students should work closely with the organization to develop a work plan.

Note: All applicants should meet with Rachel Thiel at least one month in advance of the deadline to ensure that the organization, site, and plan proposed will meet Kellogg guidelines.

To see a full list of possible sites, click here.

The Kellogg Institute supports undergraduate students each summer to gain research, language and internship experience in the developing world. Kellogg's international programs seek to deepen students' understanding of their academic programs by giving them real world experience in the field. Students selected for Kellogg programs participate in several mandatory pre-departure orientations to help fully prepare them for their time abroad. Host organizations provide pre-departure materials and in-country orientations upon students' arrival at host sites.

While training is a significant pre-departure aspect of Kellogg's international programs, reentry programming is equally important. Kellogg faculty and staff seek to support students' reentry by helping them integrate their field experience into their academic program as well as their personal and professional development. The Institute hosts a Reentry Retreat each September. Kellogg also works with faculty to find classes where students may process and conduct research related to their international experience.

Dates for spring 2025 mandatory orientations for ETW are as follows:

Requirements Orientation
Wednesday, April 9, 6:30-8:30pm
Culture and Safety Orientation Part 1
Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-8:30pm
Culture and Safety Orientation Part 2
Wednesday, April 30, 6:30-8:30pm

Attendance of these orientations in full is required for all students who choose to accept Kellogg Institute funding.
Failure to attend orientations in full will result in the cancellation of the award.

Note: Students who are abroad in the spring will be expected to complete a series of written orientations in order to participate in the program.

Forms and Information

Several forms required for your international program are provided below.

Pre-Departure
Program Checklist - international sites
Explanation of Required Documents - international sites
International Workbook

Travel Insurance
The University of Notre Dame requires that you have insurance through GeoBlue. More information is available at www.geobluestudents.com.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
Enroll in STEP (U.S Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens/nationals traveling abroad to enroll with the local US Embassy or Consulate; a Smart Traveler app is also available. Non-US passport holders should leave the passport field blank when registering, and contact their home country’s government to learn about available additional support.

For Students Currently Abroad

Orientation Worksheet
Country Specific Questionnaire

Reentry

Forms should be submitted to Kellogg through Submittable.
(Log in to submittable and you will see the "Additional Forms" with your submission. Forms are due August 15, 2025 at 11:00pm)
Tips for Returning Home
Explanation of Follow-up Reports
Expense Report

For all paperwork related to pre-departure, please go to the Forms tab.

We have provided these web resources to help you prepare for your time in the field.

Resources for Women Traveling Abroad

Her Own Way: Advice for the Woman Traveler: The Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau provides information about security, packing, culture shock and more in this article for women travelers.

JourneyWoman: An on-line travel resource for women.

"Sexual Harassment And Prevention In College Students Studying Abroad" (SAFETI On- Line Newsletter) The SAFETI On-Line Newsletter addresses issues of safety in study abroad.
This article explores how women can minimize their risk of being sexually harassed while traveling abroad.

U.S. Department of State's Tips for Women Traveling Abroad Alone: Advice from the branch of the U.S. government responsible for the welfare of U.S. citizens abroad.

Transitions Abroad: Women Travel Abroad: A great collection of first-hand articles, web sites and agencies by this award-winning, respected travel magazine.

Mental Health Resources for Notre Dame Students Abroad

University Counseling Center - Self-Help: Resources curated by the University Counseling Center to help you learn about and navigate struggles common to college students.

Responsibilities While Abroad

Notify Holly and Rachel when you arrive at your site
Within a day of your arrival in the country, please notify Holly Rivers and Rachel Thiel via email that you have arrived safely.

Update Kellogg at least every two weeks
Even if internet access is limited at your site, please update Holly and Rachel at least every two weeks while you are abroad. In your emails, be sure to discuss what you are doing, the challenges you are facing, etc. These updates do not have to be extensive, but they help inform us as we communicate with parents and administrators about your well-being. They also help us determine if we will use your experience on the web or in other future Kellogg publications. You may opt to copy Holly and Rachel onto emails you are sending to family and friends instead of sending separate emails.

Journal and Readings
Journals have been found to be extremely beneficial to students while living and working abroad. You have been provided with a journal and several questions to be addressed over the course of the summer. Please note that links to a few readings have been provided on the pre-departure tab to offer you some material to help you reflect on your experiences.

Send photos to Kellogg (To be used on the web and in KI publications)
If you cannot send photos while abroad, please be sure to submit them upon return. (This is your chance to make it into a brochure or presentation!) We also use these photos to show our donors how their funding is being used for this program.

A note about photography
Everyone wants to bring back photos of the people and places from their experiences. Please, however, remember to be sensitive of others when taking photos. Before taking photos of others, please ASK if it is ok. Think about how you would feel having photos taken of you as you go about your daily life in the United States and consider how you would like to be approached by those wanting to take photos of you.

Emergency Information

Reporting Incidents
We hope that your trip will be a safe and enjoyable one but we recognize that sometimes incidents happen. If you are involved in an incident such as a theft, attack, sexual assault or any other event that affects your personal safety, you are expected to contact Holly Rivers and Rachel Thiel as soon as possible. Where applicable, students should first address the situation with the program personnel at their organization before contacting Holly and Rachel.

In case of emergencies during business hours (8:00 am-5:00 pm) Monday - Friday, you should contact Holly Rivers at + 1 (574) 631-6023 or Rachel Thiel at +1 (574) 631-4846. Outside of business hours, please call Holly on her cell phone.

If no one can be immediately reached, contact the ND Security Emergency Hotline.
+1 (574) 631-5555 (24 Hours/7 Days). Please leave your name, program affiliation (Kellogg), security status, location, and contact information.

Notre Dame Global provides many resources regarding health, wellness, safety and security while traveling abroad in the Travel and Safety section of their website. Please carefully review their website. Below are a few selected resources for your reference.

GeoBlue International Health Insurance
Global Health and Safety:
Inside the U.S.: (800) 257-4823
Outside the U.S.: +1 (610) 254-8771 (collect calls accepted)
Email: globalhealth@geoblue.com
Customer Service:
Inside the U.S.: (844) 268-2686
Outside the U.S.: +1 (610) 263-2847

Reporting a sexual assault
Speak up! Review your options and receive guidance.
Work with your passport-affiliated embassy to learn more about reporting to local law enforcement while abroad; laws are different and the consequences of reporting can be severe.

Confidential Resources:
GeoBlue Insurance offers 24/7 confidential assistance for both physical and mental health needs.

Web Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Title IX/Sexual Assault Resources
Support Options
Reporting an incident online

Travel safety – in an emergency
Call your 911 in-country equivalent.
Call NDPD 24/7 at +1 574 631-5555.
Contact your local embassy or consulate.
Contact your emergency points of contact for your program: Holly Rivers and Rachel Thiel

Thinking Ahead

Even if unlikely, you should mentally prepare for the possibility that something could happen to you by thinking through or researching how to respond. There are a few general rules of reaction for any incident you may face:

Remain as calm as possible.
Comply with all demands.
Trust your instincts.
Get to a safe place as soon as it is safe to do so.
Respond to all safety check-ins from Notre Dame.
Communicate to your loved ones that you are safe.
Read all Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) alerts.
Monitor local and breaking news for updates.

For all paperwork related to reentry, please go to the Forms tab.

Welcome Back to Campus!

If you are looking to return overseas for study, but want someone else to pay for it, you should apply for one of the many scholarship programs available for recent university graduates: Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, etc. Visit the Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement in Bond Hall, for more information or see their website at cuse.nd.edu.

There are also many programs and organizations with resources online. Here is a sampling of some of them:

BUNAC (work programs in Britain)
Council on International Educational Exchange work opportunities
Cultural Vistas
English language teaching (TEFL)
EnLAce (Electronic Network for Latin American Careers and Employment)
Rotary
Peace Corps

Tips for Returning Home

Read about Reentry & Reverse Culture Shock-The more you know, the better prepared you will be to deal with it!

SIT Reentry Toolkit (World Learning)
Returning Home from Study Abroad (Middlebury College)

If you would like your family to better understand what you are going through when you return home, you might also share the following resource from World Learning with them:
https://studyabroad.sit.edu/documents/studyabroad/Readjustment-Manual-for-Parents.pdf

Counseling Center - If you find that you are in need of a little extra help processing your summer experience, counselors are readily available to help you at the University Counseling Center. The center staff can be reached at 574-631-7336 or ucc.nd.edu/

If you would prefer to talk to a counselor outside of the counseling center, you can have a confidential and free consultation with a professional counselor through the UCC talkline. No appointment or paperwork is required.

Returning From Abroad

For students returning from study abroad as well as international internships, language study and research experiences

A large number of Notre Dame students travel abroad each year through internships, research and language grants, and study abroad programs. The Institute seeks to connect ND students to academic opportunities that will allow them to further explore their experiences abroad. Classes, grants, and conferences are all available to offer students the chance to deepen their understanding of the world and open avenues to graduate school and careers beyond Notre Dame.