Equatorial Guinea Study Abroad Scholarships
Once in a Lifetime Study Opportunities
Don’t let the diminutiveness of Equatorial Guinea fool you. This small West African country is reportedly rich in corrupt politicians, reserves a regular headline for political coups of the week, and has engaged Big Oil in its wealthy petroleum resources. This is not the most welcoming of environments for students, but it is one sure to fascinate. The typical African miasma is present—poor healthcare, poor people, and poor leadership—while the high-dollar distractions ironically attract the most media hype.
Above and beyond the mainstream drivel, students and scholars may engage in studies related to biodiversity, politics or healthcare.
Government Scholarships
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships are awarded to hundreds of underprivileged undergraduates each year. The generous awards offer Pell Grant recipients a financial leg up in the realm of international study. Students once neglected by study abroad programs are now engaging on an international plane and gaining experience for the rest of their lives in such non-traditional destinations as Equatorial Guinea. Eligible applicants must be undergraduate, from a four-year or two-year institution. Students with multiple social and economic challenges are encouraged. Awards are a maximum of $7,000.
African countries on the whole continue to be of interest to national security. Many of these underdeveloped and developing nations, including Equatorial Guinea, are areas of concern in the realm of healthcare, economy, and politics. For this reason the National Security Education Program funds study abroad to such regions. The David L. Boren Scholarships are awarded to upper level undergraduate and graduate students primarily with an interest in national security careers. Boren Scholars are engaged in intensive language and culture studies or else in fields related to the sciences, politics, international affairs or technology. Following graduation participants are placed in national security jobs where they ideally will use their knowledge of Equatorial Guinea. Awards are between $20,000 and $25,000 and cover a year of study abroad.
The West African Research Association (WARA) is funded in large part by the U.S. State Department. The purpose is to facilitate programs between U.S. and West African scholars, students and professionals that increase cultural understanding a the same time they provide viable scholarly collaboration. Part of the WARA program includes fellowships for students wishing to conduct research in Equatorial Guinea or another West African country:
- WARA Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowships are specially designed for students in the early stages of dissertation research. Applicants may be in their last year of graduate work with a well-defined dissertation proposal. Research must be able to be conducted over the course of a summer term. Awards cover all travel expenses plus $3,000.
- WARA Post-Doctoral Fellowships are designed specifically for those scholars beyond dissertation work. Scholars must be able to complete research over the summer term. Awards cover travel and an extra $3,000 cash.
College Scholarships
The Center for Education Abroad at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania offers a program in Biodiversity and Economic Development in Equatorial Guinea. This intensive semester-long course engages students in service learning, fieldwork in biodiversity and packages the whole in cultural curricula. The purpose is to provide a full understanding of the challenges faced by contemporary West African countries trying to fend for themselves in a rapidly globalizing world and at he same time take inventory of natural resources and ecosystems at risk. Students may apply for the program scholarships awarded on the basis of financial need, primarily. Between $500 and $2,000 may be awarded per student.
