Zambia Study Abroad Scholarships

Land of Victoria Falls and Copper Mining

Zambia struggles primarily with AIDS and a flagging economy. This southern African country is enjoying a bit of an upswing in its major industry—copper mining. But fueled by outside encouragement the country is also putting energy into its potentially vibrant tourist trade. One amazing spectacle is the renowned Victoria Falls just one site intended to attract international adventure seekers. Of interest to students is the AIDS research and related work carried out in the region, the socio-political climate, and the culture and language of the country.

Government Scholarships

Many locations in Africa require medical assistance. The war on HIV/AIDs is being fought on the front lines across the African continent. The National Institutes of Health support various research institutes in a number of African countries, including Zambia. Medical students and those engaged in other health majors may apply for the Fogarty International Center/Ellison Clinical Research Training Fellowship. The program supports the work of candidates with a demonstrated career interest in clinical research. The Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia requires fellows interested in conducting research focused on HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Fellowships cover expenses for up to 12 months.

The National Security Education Program’s David L. Boren Scholarships for undergrads and Fellowships for grads have a twofold purpose: recruit the next generation of elite national security personnel and educate a more globally aware generation of Americans able to compete on an international plane. Boren Scholars are chosen from among hundreds of applicants across the country and represent the best and brightest. Not only this, but applicants must prove an interest in working within the national security sector, willingness to engage deeply in culture and language of Zambia, or engage in a particular curriculum, especially those emphasizing math, sciences or engineering. Up to $25,000 is awarded per scholarship.

The Fulbright Scholarship program is one of the most competitive and prestigious in the world. It allows both American students and scholars as well as those from around the globe the opportunity to pursue study and research in far-flung areas of the globe. Each year a variable number of Fulbright Scholars are approved for study in Zambia. The program requires students to affiliate with a local university as well as disclose a full study proposal to Zambian authorities. The best and brightest end up with these awards.

Private Funding

Rotary International is one of the most well recognized organizations for its philanthropic programs and dedication to humanitarian efforts. To those ends the Rotary sends out hundreds of Ambassadorial Scholars each year to not only learn about the world at large, but to help in humanitarian aid projects, learn about sustainable development as well as engage in any of a number of curricula that will possibly benefit the larger world. Ambassadorial Scholarships through the Rotary are awarded to upper level undergraduate and graduate students interested in a year abroad outside the normal destinations. Zambia is just one of the African countries to which Ambassadors are sent. Recipients win $26,000 in scholarship money.

There may be no better study abroad opportunity than that offered by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation, funded by the IBM founding family. The Watson Fellowships provide a full year of scholarship money to outstanding students at a member institution who wish to pursue a course of independent study anywhere outside the U.S. The operative term here is independent. Watson Fellows are not affiliated with an international college or university; their projects must be self-hewn and self-directed, 24/7. Only the most innovative and motivated are approved.