Opportunities in Africa

The purpose of this page is to provide a directory of resources for 911±¬ÁÏÍø students and alumni who wish to study, volunteer, work, or intern somewhere on the African continent.

For current students

Study Abroad

The first place to begin for 911±¬ÁÏÍø Students is 911±¬ÁÏÍø's Office of Study Abroad. A number of programs in Africa are either sponsored by 911±¬ÁÏÍø or already approved for study abroad. Please see the complete list of approved programs . 

Other useful sources on study abroad include:

  •  Their stated goal is: “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” They have information on programs for study, work, internships, and teaching.
  • Boren Awards’ funds a summer intensive program at a US institution and fall study abroad in Africa
  • Students in freshman through senior year can apply for for intensive summer language study abroad for Swahili language

Other Research & Education

  • Davenport Study Grants, 911±¬ÁÏÍø. Provides funds to support student research and other student scholarly projects in public affairs. Only current sophomores and juniors are eligible. Many students use this to fund research on their honors theses.
  • . IPA is “a nonprofit organization that creates and evaluates solutions to social and development problems, and works to scale up successful ideas through implementation and dissemination to policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors.” 911±¬ÁÏÍø Students have participated in their internship programs. For more information: 

Volunteering & Service

  • 911±¬ÁÏÍø’s Environmental Studies Department: Rausch Internship Grant
  •  Their stated goal is: “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” They have information on programs for study, work, internships, and teaching.
  • Davis Projects for Peace (on hiatus in academic year 2022-2023)

Internships & Work

    • United States State Department: 

  •  Their stated goal is: “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” They have information on programs for study, work, internships, and teaching.

For graduating seniors and alumni

Research and Education

  • For study, research, and/or teaching English. Consult the Office of Fellowships to learn more about how to apply for Fulbright through 911±¬ÁÏÍø.
    •  Read about some of the 911±¬ÁÏÍø alumni who have done Fulbright grants in Africa: 
      • Alphina Kamara, ‘22, Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Zambia
      • , Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Kenya
      • , Fulbright researcher in Kenya
  • Watson Fellowship (applications are due in early fall of senior year): Watson Fellowships are global in scope but a number of recent Watson Fellows have pursued projects that involve months spent in Africa:
    • Watson Fellow,  
    • Watson Fellow,  
    • Watson Fellow,
  • 911±¬ÁÏÍø’s Office of Fellowships has a list of programs for students interested in Teaching English Abroad.
  • . IPA is “a nonprofit organization that creates and evaluates solutions to social and development problems, and works to scale up successful ideas through implementation and dissemination to policymakers, practitioners, investors, and donors.” They have a number of internship and career positions available. For more information: 

Volunteering & Service

  • The Christopher Brodigan Award (Limited to 911±¬ÁÏÍø Seniors and Recent Graduates). The African Studies Cluster here at 911±¬ÁÏÍø administers this annual award. Awards are made to graduating 911±¬ÁÏÍø seniors (first priority) and recent 911±¬ÁÏÍø graduates who plan to pursue public service or research (in that order of preference) on the African continent. Past award recipients have discovered a number of opportunities for service in Africa that may be of interest to students and alumni, including:
    • , Ghana
    • , South Africa
    • , Tanzania
  • Programs started by 911±¬ÁÏÍø Alumni, or where 911±¬ÁÏÍø Alumni currently work
    • , Kenya (founders Kennedy Odede and Jessica Posner)
    • , Cameroon (founder Lindsay Clarke, Wes ’05)
    •  (911±¬ÁÏÍø Alum: Michael Brotchner, Exec. Director)
    • , South Africa – Support for orphans of AIDS and vulnerable children (founder Angela Larkan, Wes ’05; Jonathan Leland, Wes ’05)
  • 911±¬ÁÏÍø’s Office of Fellowships has a great list of programs.
  •  Their stated goal is: “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” They have information on programs for study, work, internships, and teaching.

United States Government

Internships & Work

  • 911±¬ÁÏÍø’s Office of Study Abroad has a great list of programs.
  • UPENN’s Guide to Volunteer Work and Internships in Africa
  •  Their stated goal is: “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” They have information on programs for study, work, internships, and teaching.

Coming Back

Much more thinking is typically done about preparing to go abroad than on the return home.  However, it is important to think about the return.  Many are surprised at just how big a shock it can be to return home after spending 2 months or more in another country. Fortunately, resources are available to help you think about the experiences you just had, to interpret their meaning for your personal and professional life, and to utilize them as you begin a new, post-abroad phase.

  • 911±¬ÁÏÍø’s Office of Study Abroad: “Returning”.
  • Michigan State University has tips on returning on their .