Unlocking Global Experiences: A Guide to ACIS Travel Scholarships
Embarking on an educational journey abroad can be a transformative experience, fostering independence, fueling curiosity, and providing invaluable skills for the future. ACIS (American Council for International Studies) has been a cornerstone in facilitating these experiences for over 40 years, offering expertly crafted group tours to destinations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Recognizing that financial constraints can be a barrier to participation, ACIS provides various avenues for students to access travel scholarships, making global exploration more accessible.
The ACIS Philosophy: Travel Changes Lives
At the heart of ACIS's mission lies a deep-seated belief in the power of travel to shape perspectives and build global competence. Educational tours are designed not just for sightseeing, but for immersive cultural experiences that bring history and culture to life. From French cooking lessons to Spanish bull ranches and Globe Theatre acting workshops, ACIS aims to provide unique opportunities for students to engage with the world around them.
The impact of these experiences extends far beyond the itinerary. Students often report increased confidence, a broadened worldview, and a newfound understanding of their place in the world. As one parent noted, "I watched my kids lose the fear of trying something they had never tried before." This sentiment encapsulates the essence of ACIS's commitment to fostering personal growth through travel.
Navigating the Scholarship Landscape
ACIS offers several pathways to help students and teachers bolster their budgets and make educational travel a reality. These include:
1. Travel is Education Scholarship Contest
The Travel is Education Scholarship Contest is an annual competition that invites students aged 11-20 to showcase their creativity and express their interest in the world through art, photography, essays, poems, videos, songs, or any other medium. Each year, the contest features a different theme related to travel.
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Eligibility: The contest is open to US students aged 11-20 who are interested in educational travel.Entry Guidelines: Students must submit a Student Scholarship Entry Form along with their entry. Video or song entries should be posted on YouTube, and the link must be included on the entry form. Writing entries should be a maximum of one page, while video or song entries should not exceed three minutes. All entries must be original work. Incomplete or unsigned forms will not be accepted.Judging Criteria: Entries are judged based on creativity and originality in expressing an idea related to the annual theme.Awards: ACIS awards one grand prize of a $2,500 ACIS Travel Scholarship Certificate and five $1,000 ACIS Travel Scholarship Certificates.Deadline: The submission deadline is typically January 31st of the contest year. For example, the deadline for the 2026 contest is January 31, 2026.Announcement of Winners: Awards are announced and posted online by the end of February of the contest year, with winners receiving written notification and their ACIS Travel Scholarship Certificates.
2. World Traveler Rewards Program
ACIS recognizes the dedication of teachers who lead educational tours through its World Traveler Rewards program. This loyalty program offers group leaders various rewards, including global conferences, travel scholarships, cash rewards, and tour upgrades. Points are earned based on the leader's level, the number of participants registered, and the timing of registration.
Global Conferences: These are free trips exclusively for group leaders and companions. Each conference includes airfare, accommodations, select gourmet meals, and exclusive excursions.
3. voyagED Partnership
ACIS partners with voyagED, a non-profit organization founded by ACIS alumnus Max Chwatko, to offer The Voyager Scholarship. VoyagED's mission is to enable all students to learn about, experience, and share the joy of travel.
4. Personal Fundraising Pages
ACIS provides a platform for students to create personal fundraising pages to solicit contributions from family and friends. These pages are easy to set up and customize, allowing students to share their enthusiasm for their upcoming travel experience and encourage others to invest in their personal growth.
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5. Group Fundraising Ideas
ACIS encourages group fundraising efforts to help students collectively reach their travel goals. Some popular ideas include:
- Recipe Book: Collect favorite recipes from fellow travelers and create a themed cookbook to sell.
- Talent Auction: Solicit donations of homemade items or services from the community and hold an auction.
- Parents' Night Out: Organize an evening of childcare at the school for a fee per child.
- Dinner and a Movie: Host a dinner and movie night at the school and charge for tickets or accept donations.
- Themed Ball: Organize a themed ball at the school gym or auditorium.
Examples of Impact
The impact of ACIS travel scholarships is evident in the stories of past recipients. The 2022 scholarship entries, for example, showcased the creativity and talent of young global citizens.
One student reflected, "To me, global citizenship means carrying the world, which is done by doing the good that humanity fails to do." Another shared, "In my digital painting titled 'One Earth', I wanted to show how each and every one of us, as a citizen not only of our own respective countries but as citizens of the Earth, have a responsibility to preserve our planet and its natural beauty."
These testimonials highlight the transformative power of travel to inspire creativity, foster a sense of global responsibility, and promote cross-cultural understanding.
The Enduring Legacy of Educational Travel
ACIS's commitment to educational travel extends beyond providing tours and scholarships. The organization actively seeks to evolve and improve its practices, traveling more responsibly, using local resources, and listening closely to the needs of teachers, students, and tour managers.
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In the face of global challenges, ACIS remains steadfast in its mission to provide meaningful, academically grounded international experiences that broaden students' worldviews and build real global competence.
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