Beyond Volunteering and Interning: Other Ways to Use Your Segal Award Abroad

Study abroad and field-based academic programs

The Segal Education Award is paid directly to an accredited Title IV college or university. That means any study abroad program that runs through an eligible institution can potentially be funded with your award, including short-term faculty-led courses, field research programs, language immersion terms, and summer sessions.

These programs often bundle coursework with travel, housing, and excursions. If you are earning academic credit and the institution can receive Segal funds, your award may cover tuition, program fees, and sometimes related travel costs.

• Confirm that the program is offered through an accredited Title IV institution
• Ask the registrar or financial aid office if Segal Education Award disbursements are accepted
• Check whether funds apply to tuition only or also to program fees and travel
• Plan for a two-to-three-month lead time, just like any other program your award funds

Teaching English abroad

Teaching English can be a powerful next step after AmeriCorps service. Some TEFL or TESOL certificate programs partner with accredited colleges, which makes them eligible for Segal Education Award funds. A certificate can then lead to paid teaching positions in schools and language centers around the world.

Even when the award does not fund the teaching job itself, it can cover the training that makes you competitive. That is a practical use of an award if you want to live abroad longer, earn a local income, and build classroom experience.

• Look for TEFL or TESOL programs that offer academic credit through a partner college
• Ask whether the certificate cost, materials, and practicum fees are covered
• Research visa requirements and typical salaries in your target country
• Consider this path if you want to stay abroad for six months or more

Peace Corps service

Peace Corps is a separate federal program, so the Segal Education Award does not pay for Peace Corps service itself. But it is still worth mentioning because AmeriCorps alumni are often strong Peace Corps candidates. Both programs value service, adaptability, and community-based work.

After Peace Corps, returned volunteers receive a readjustment allowance and may qualify for graduate school benefits. Some AmeriCorps alumni use their Segal Award later for a master's degree, certificate, or additional training that builds on their combined service experience.

• Apply to Peace Corps directly if you want a longer-term, fully funded service commitment
• Save your Segal Award for graduate school or a credential after Peace Corps
• Highlight your AmeriCorps experience in your Peace Corps application
• Compare timelines: Peace Corps assignments are typically 27 months

Outdoor leadership and wilderness education

Outdoor leadership programs combine technical skills, risk management, and group facilitation. Some offer academic credit through partner colleges or universities, which can make them eligible for Segal Education Award funding. These programs are a natural fit for alumni who want hands-on work, environmental education, or a path into guiding and expedition leadership.

If you are drawn to conservation, environmental education, or youth development, this can be a meaningful bridge between national service and a global career.

• Ask whether the program offers academic credit through an accredited institution
• Verify that the institution can receive Segal Education Award disbursements
• Find out what certifications or credentials the program leads to
• Consider how the skills transfer to careers in conservation, education, or youth work

How to compare your options honestly

Every path has different rules. Some are fully funded by the award. Others use the award for a credential that opens the door to paid work. A few, like Peace Corps, run on their own funding model entirely. Acting with integrity means being clear about those distinctions so you can plan with confidence.

• Ask each provider directly whether Segal funds are accepted and what they cover
• Get the answer in writing, including any academic credit or institutional partnership details
• Factor in travel, insurance, visas, and personal expenses that may not be covered
• Choose the path that matches your goals, not just the one with the prettiest photos

Where Pathways Abroad fits in

We specialize in helping AmeriCorps alumni find Segal-eligible volunteer and internship placements through trusted partners like IVHQ and Intern Abroad HQ. Those are excellent starting points, and they are not the only starting points. If you are curious about study abroad, teaching English, Peace Corps, or outdoor leadership, we are happy to talk through how your award might fit each one.

Our guidance is free. Bring your questions to a drop-in advising session or request a custom planning guide.