Career-Focused Study Abroad: Why It Matters for HBCU Students

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Career-Focused Study Abroad: Why It Matters for HBCU Students

Today, one of the most transformative tools for student success is career-focused study abroad. Global learning experiences strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, cultivate cross-cultural communication skills, boosts confidence and resilience, and help students stand out in the job market. Yet Black students remain underserved in this area, accounting for only six percent of U.S. study abroad participants, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, while making up 12 percent of college enrollment. This is the largest gap among all racial groups, and closing it is critical.

This is where IFSA steps in. With a commitment to equity and access, IFSA partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to design career-focused study abroad programs and provide grants to empower their students to experience the world as they prepare to launch successful careers. Together, we’re building sustained pathways that make global learning attainable and transformative.

“Studying abroad was transformative for me and I am so, so glad I did. Suddenly not so introverted after being abroad, the experience allowed me to make new friends and to get the experience of living in another city, in another country, on another continent.”
—Anya W., Spelman College, An Introvert Goes International Studying Abroad in England, University of Cambridge, Pembroke College Partnership

Meeting HBCU student goals

IFSA Career Accelerator® programs are designed to immerse students directly into the world of their target industry with carefully curated academics and professional exposure. Offered in global innovation hubs including London, Prague, and Barcelona, these programs are intentionally aligned with high-growth career fields including technology, biosciences, health sciences, and business. Students gain real-world, hands-on experience in the global workplace through authentic challenge projects, company visits, international networking, and internships.

Challenge projects—where students teams work with guidance from industry professionals to advance innovation and problem-solve for locally based companies—are a powerful part of these programs. “Working with a Czech company gave us real experience to put on our resumes,” said Curtis R., a Tech Career Accelerator alumnus from University of Michigan. “The most valuable part was learning how to work well within a team and be a better engineer.”

Apart from industry-specific learning, IFSA Career Accelerators also help students gain skills they need to thrive in the workplace. The College Graduate Skills Study by Workplace Intelligence found seventy-five percent of employers report graduates are not ready for workplace demands, particularly in problem-solving, teamwork, and global awareness. Our signature leadership class addresses this gap. Students build global work experience, professional confidence, and cross-cultural communication skills that set them apart as adaptable, career-ready professionals in an interconnected world.

Explore Career Accelerator programs:

Prague, Czech Republic

Barcelona, Spain

Business Career Accelerator

London, England

Removing cost-barriers for HBCU students

At IFSA, we believe study abroad should be accessible, equitable, and affordable. That’s why we offer HBCU grants for up to $5,000, designed to reduce financial barriers and expand access to transformative study abroad experiences.

Beyond HBCU grants, IFSA offers additional needs-based and identity-based scholarships to support students from a wide range of backgrounds. Scholarships like the IFSA First-Generation Scholarship and the IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant provide up to $2,500 to help students make study abroad a reality.

These awards reflect IFSA’s ongoing investment in equity and inclusion, and they can often be combined with other funding sources to make study abroad even more affordable. No matter where you go to college, IFSA wants to help make global learning accessible. Apply early, explore all available scholarships, and layer funding options to maximize support.

“. . . studying and traveling abroad gave me a new perspective on the world and myself. I explored new interests, tried different foods, met new people, and experienced other ways of life . . . Every day abroad was a learning experience, and I am extremely happy to bring those experiences home.”
—Axel A., Amherst College, How Leaving the U.S. to Study Abroad Changed My Life, SOAS, University of London Partnership

Next steps

Ready to take a giant step toward your professional goals? IFSA can help you make your career-focused study abroad goals a reality. Visit our HBCU Grants for Career-Focused Study Abroad page to learn more about IFSA’s Career Accelerator programs and grants tailored to HBCU students. Start your global journey today!

Joshua Howse | IFSA Institutional Engagement Manager