Bridge Year Programs refer to experiences that may last anywhere from 3 months to 2 years and occur between graduating college and before starting graduate school or a career in a specific industry. These experiences are especially valuable for students pursuing medical, law, or other graduate programs who may want or need more experience in the field before applying to graduate school. Make an appointment with a career counselor for information about other opportunities! Below are examples of Bridge Year programs:
A website where you can find a paid service opportunity that can be filtered by your interests, geographic location, and level of education. Once you create a profile, the website also has many resources explaining exactly what a service year is and how students can go about pursuing one.
As a VISTA Volunteer, you’ll take on meaningful, hands-on work that drives long-term change in areas like education, public health, climate resilience, and access to essential services. From grant writing and research to fundraising and community volunteer engagement, you’ll build real-world experience while developing leadership skills that set you apart.
Get a quick overview of the organization through the Americorps website.
As a Volunteer, you will live and work side-by-side with community members on locally prioritized projects, receiving a living allowance and other support as you immerse yourself in a new experience. It is a 27-month program. This includes three months of in-country technical and cultural training followed by exactly two years of community work. There are six different work sectors:
Some program benefits:
- Take home a $10,000 award after service.
- Receive housing, a monthly living allowance, and full coverage of necessary and appropriate medical and dental needs during service.
- Get a leg up on federal hiring and save on further study after service.
The TFA corps is a full-time, paid opportunity to lead in a classroom, where you’ll make a real difference with students who are underserved and underestimated.
Quick Facts
- Full time, paid, two-year leadership role teaching in under-resourced K-12 schools
- Same salary and benefits as other first-year teachers, with additional TFA support
- Choose your location from more than 40 regions across the country
- Premier coaching and mentorship to help you grow in and beyond the classroom
- Valuable experience that stands out on any resume
- Measurable impact in students’ lives
- 68,000-person purpose-driven alumni network for life
The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) welcomes applications from artists, scholars, arts professionals, and organizations that propose cultural exchange and immersion activities that support ACC’s mission to advance international dialogue for greater mutual understanding and respect in Asia and the United States.
ACC’s fellowships and grants offer arts communities in Asia and the U.S. unique opportunities for long-term, self-designed, immersive exploration of other cultures that expand grantees’ horizons, nurture their perspectives and creative growth, and foster valuable international connections.
Boren Awards are scholarships and fellowships for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students committed to long-term overseas study and to public service. Boren awardees receive funding to study the languages most critical to our nation’s security in the regions below:
- Africa
- Asia
- Central and Eastern Europe
- Eurasia
- Latin America
- Middle East
As a condition of their award, Boren Scholars and Fellows agree to utilize their skills within the federal government by seeking and securing national security employment for at least one year, strengthening the federal workforce and enhancing U.S. capabilities, deterrence, and readiness.
Ashoka Fellows are the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. They champion innovative new ideas that transform society’s systems, providing benefits for everyone and improving the lives of millions of people. Some of the support Fellows will enjoy include:
- A global community of peers
- A tailored stipend for up to three years, if needed, for the Fellow to dedicate themselves full time to the advancement of their idea
- Customized engagement opportunities that accelerate their impact
- Increased visibility
Find more Bridge Year programs, fellowships (IE Fulbright, Rhodes, etc), and more on the UVA Office of Citizen Scholar Development Awards Database.
