Explore. Connect. Act.

Did you develop an after-school English language learning program? Connect artists across the world through music? Conduct significant scientific research? We want to give you a platform to share your story.

Share with us how your experience has inspired you to give back to your community while you were abroad, and at home.

Application & Deadline

Use the Global Citizen of the Year application to tell us about yourself, and share the following information to show why you are the Global Citizen of the Year:

• Summarize: In 150 words or less, explain what makes you IES Abroad's Global Citizen of the Year.
   
• Define: In a few sentences, share with us how you define global citizenship.
   
• Share Your Story: Answer the following questions in 2-3 paragraphs each.

1) How You’ve Made an Impact Through Study Abroad – The contributions you made to your local community while abroad

2) How the World and Study Abroad Changed You – The lessons you learned not only about yourself, but also the global community

3) How You’ll Sustain or Continue Your Impact – Your plans to sustain or continue your impact once you’ve returned from abroad

• Profile Picture & Photos from Abroad: A clear profile picture and three photos from abroad with captions. Photos from abroad will ideally connect to your personal statement and what makes you the Global Citizen of the Year. All photos should be hi-resolution (300 dpi).
   
• Original supporting documents (optional): You can also submit supporting documents to show your global citizenship. Examples include but are not limited to a blog from abroad, research documents, news coverage, letters of recommendation, and more.
   
• Charitable/Educational Organization: Provide the name of a charitable/educational organization to which IES Abroad will make a $500 donation in your name should you be selected as the Global Citizen of the Year.
  
  This organization must be one that is organized and operated for charitable or educational purposes and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as eligible to receive U.S. tax deductible contributions, as listed by the IRS in Pub 78 data. This organization should not be a political non-profit, and the winner or his or her family should be not be employed or affilliated with the organization as an officer or board member. In the event that the Grand Prize winner does not identify a charitable organization, IES Abroad will not make a donation to a charitable organization in the Grand Prize winner’s name.
   

The 2019 Global Citizen of the Year application is now closed. Stay tuned for the 2020 application to open later this year.

Eligibility

You must be a student who has completed an IES Abroad, IES Internships, IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led, or Study Abroad Foundation (SAF) program in 2019 in order to be eligible for this award.

Selection Process

Our international jury of IES Abroad staff will select the winner and finalists. The jury will closely consider how applicants made an impact through study abroad, how the world and study abroad changed them, and how they'll sustain or continue their impact. We encourage all applicants to be thorough and thoughtful in completing their application.

Questions? Please contact Amy Ruhter McMillan, Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing, at [email protected].