8 Benefits of a Social Impact Fellowship

We've updated this post! See the top 10 benefits of a global professional fellowship here.

As people increasingly look to experiential learning programs and more international exposure to grow their skills and networks, we thought we’d take a minute to share some of the great benefits of one of the best ways of doing that: Fellowship programs.

Check out the infographic sharing 8 benefits of these programs, and if you’re looking to join a Fellowship, scroll to the bottom of this post to learn more about the MovingWorlds Institute Global Fellowship and a list of other great options.

Here are the 8 main benefits of international fellowships

1. Sharpen Professional Skills

Fellowship opportunities are hyper-focused on the fellow's professional skills. This is extremely important, by having fellowships that are hyper-focused on the individual's skills it allows the fellow to sharpen their skills in a new environment and new setting, while maximizing their impact.

2. Makes You Stand Out for Jobs & Promotions

Each fellowship project is created based on the needs of the host organization abroad. Individuals are then matched to the fellowship opportunities based on their skill set and interest, making the individual stand out. Skills-based volunteering is a "Secret weapon most job hunters don't know about".

3. Go When Is Best for You

Fellowships are unique in the sense that each project allows flexibility in the fellow’s time, interest, skills, and goals - so they can go when is best for them! Unlike programs like the Peace Corps or Master’s degree programs that requires 2 (or more!) years of education, Fellowships range in time greatly making them more accessible

4. Hands-On Experience

Fellowships offer unique opportunities for one-on-one hands-on field experience, really allowing the fellow to dive deep into the work they are doing. In exchange, you learn more by teaching and broadening your horizons.

5. Develop Cultural Competency & Awareness

This might be one of the most important benefits. Going abroad to share your skills with other individuals allows the fellow to gain a better understanding of different cultures and socio-economic values around the world that may be unfamiliar to theirs. Here's why.

6. Grow Leadership Skills

While abroad you are not only a teacher but a student as well - teach the people, learn with them, and accomplish goals together with the help of your leadership skills. Research proves its works.

7. Gain International Exposure

Fellowships are an amazing way to see the world! It’s a transformative international experience to gain new skills and bring back to the work space.

8. Get A Career Boost

Whether you’re looking for a promotion or new job - a fellowship will help you gain new skills, stand out, and get the career boost you’ve been looking for! This article helps explain how.

Here is a list of international social impact fellowships:

1. The MovingWorlds Institute

2. Acumen Global Fellows Program

3. Alterna Fellows

4. Agora Partnership Consulting Fellowship

5. Atlas Corps

6. Archimedes Project Global Fellowship

7. Echoing Green

8. Emerging Markers Development Advisers Program

9. Frontier Market Scouts Training

10. Global Health Corps

11. Grameen Foundation Fellowships

12. IDEX Global Fellowship

13. ImpactHUB Fellowship

14. KIVA Fellowship

15. LGT Venture Philanthropy Fellowship