$5,000
Study Abroad Redo TRAVEL Grant!
Repeat after me: you do not have to be a student to study abroad! 📚💸✈️
DUE: APRIL 15, 2023
do you Dream of a second chance at studying abroad? ✈️📚💃🏽🎎🪂
Packs Light's mission is to help others seek risk, seize opportunity, skip debt, see the world. 🌎✈️✨
We're passionate about removing barriers to travel + empowering others to change their lives through exploring the world– and that's exactly why we created the Packs Light Travel Grant series.
Our first inaugural grant—The Study Abroad Redo Grant—is for those who did not have a traditional study abroad experience during school and want a redo!
Take the quiz linked above to see if you're eligible for The Study Abroad Redo Grant.
Eligible applicants must apply by April 15, 2023. Applications for the 2023 cycle of the SARG are now CLOSED.
THE BRIEF:
What is this? Explaining “Study Abroad Redo”
The Study Abroad Redo Grant is a chance at $5,000 in funding an intentional travel experience for those who never had the opportunity to study abroad, and want a chance at a “redo”!
Submit your application to tell us your story, and explain your dream intentional travel experience (not just a vacation and not an academic credit class—somewhere in-between! Intentional, specific, and growth-oriented) and you may be one of the 3x $5,000 awardees!
MY STUDY ABROAD STORY: College + Beyond 🚀
My junior year of college I studied abroad in Dubai, UAE for an entire year. The experience changed my life! It introduced me to PTOs, it taught me useful skills like networking and even Arabic language, and most of all: it was fun.
But without the $40,000 in scholarships I was awarded (through hours and hours of meticulous applying), there's no way I could have studied abroad.
And then I learned… you don't have to be a student to study abroad (or, get funding to study abroad!)
Even since graduating college I've continued my hunt for scholarships, grants, and other funded programs that would allow me to travel the world—without maxing out any credit cards.
And it's worked. I've been able to countries including South Africa, Fiji, Austria, South Korea, and more, completely for free through these paid travel opportunities (PTO) simply by searching for them, applying strategically, and winning. These PTO have proved to me (and many of my followers!) that having intentional, life-altering travel experiences is possible at any age especially with these funding opportunities.
Now that I'm in a position to give back: I'm launching my own grant! This one right here.
I'm starting by giving who didn't get to participate in a formal study abroad program like me, a chance at a re-do and having their have their lives changed just like mine was.
…and still is!
THE PRIZE(S)!
$5,000 USD!
3x winners will receive a $5,000 cash grant to be used towards their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to "redo" the study abroad experience they never had through an intentional travel. (Taxes not included)
"Study Abroad" Resource Bundle
Receive valuable digital products from your favorite creators, including: the Application Tool-Kit ($35), Get Outdoors 101 ($197), and more!
1:1 Mentorship Call
The confidence and planning advice you need to be successful on your trip straight from the Packs Light team.
Grant Recipient Certificate
Join the Packs Light Travel Grant Alumni Community with a Certificate of Achievement, as the winner of the inaugural Packs Light Travel Grant.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We want to see how strong your “why” is, to have a do-over of your study abroad experience.
You are eligible if:
- you/will be age 18+ (no age cap!) by April 15, 2023
- you are a resident of the 50 U.S. states or territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.)
- you need a redo of your study abroad experience!
- following @packslight on social media is not required to apply (but we do check 👀)
We want you to apply if you didn't study abroad because…
- You didn't attend college
- Your study abroad was canceled by COVID
- You didn't have a passport
- You couldn't afford it
- You didn't know about study abroad scholarships, or where to find them
- You were overwhelmed by the thought of planning it
- No one in your family had ever study abroad before
Want to stay in the loop for the next Packs Light Travel Grant? 👀✈️💰 Join my weekly newsletter and find out first!
Meet the sponsors
The Nomadic Network
A community for travel-enthusiasts that offers small group tours to bring travelers together in exciting destinations all around the world.
Go Overseas
A community reviews site with the mission to educate, inspire, and empower its community to pursue perspective-changing travel.
Packs Light
Me. Yep! Putting my own money where my mouth is and self-funding one of these grants to show that I truly believe in this cause, and making the incredible accessible, through travel!
FAQs
Looking for more information? Here are our some frequently asked questions.
You are eligible to apply to the Packs Light Study Abroad Redo Grant if:
- You are/will be age 18+ as of April 15, 2023.
- You are a citizen or legal permanent resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or one of the U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Guam.
- Not a past or current Packs Light employee or family member, intern, judge, or brand partner
- Someone with a strong reason why they need a study abroad redo, and a specific vision of what you want to do!
Don't stress! While this particular opportunity isn't for you, Packs Light specializes in finding + sharing paid travel opportunities (PTO) just like this one for people of all ages, ethnicities, nationalities, phases of life, etc.
Head to our PTO Dashboard to see the plethora of opportunities and resources that are out there to help you travel for work, for school, of for fun– for free!
(💡 HINT: Use the search bar and PTO Type filter to find opportunities for your interests/background! Try phrases like “all nationalities”, “internship”, “STEM”, “artists”, etc.)
Still don't see what you're looking for? Download our free guide 5 Free Sites Where You Can Find PTO! Here, you will find resources to start finding custom PTO that fits your age, nationality, interests, and dreams.
Most people think of study abroad as a summer, a semester, or even a year-long international experience for college students. Study abroad programs usually require coursework and study at an overseas educational facility, while exploring the local area in the student's free time.
But here at Packs Light, study abroad means any international trip with a specific, intentional learning component. Traveling and interacting with local people, traditions, cuisines, and ways of life is a learning experience of its own, and international experiences can teach people a lot about the world and themselves!
This can be done at any age and phase of life.
Each grant allows for reimbursement of funds for one RT flight, one set of accommodations, and the remainder of funds up to $5,000.
However… how you want to tackle your study abroad redo is up to you! If you want to pitch a partnered or group trip that's fine with us. Just make sure your application is centered around the grant mission, and follows direction.
Study abroad means any international trip with a specific, intentional learning component.
Eligible study abroad experiences could be…
- taking 2 weeks of salsa lessons in Mexico City
- discovering your ethnic roots for 10 days in Nigeria
- participating in a 1-week wilderness survival program in Belize
- learning French through a 1-month language immersion program in France
- spending a semester studying abroad experience in Rome
- immersing in a 1-week silent retreat in Costa Rica
- living in a homestay in Malaysia
Study abroad does NOT mean…
- A shopping spree in Paris
- An all-inclusive resort stay in Saint Lucia
Create a maximum 90-second video answering the questions:
“🎥 What does Packs Light's mission mean to you? How do you feel that you have embodied our mission in your life?”
Then, upload this video to TikTok as a publicly listed video or YouTube a public/unlisted video. Copy the URL to the video, and paste the link in the proper spot on the application submission form.
*NOTE: If your account is private and/or you submit an incorrect link, we won't be able to watch your video and you will automatically be disqualified.
The 3 scholarship winners will each receive a:
- One-time travel grant valued at USD $5,000 to be used to the trip described in their application
- 1:1 pre-departure mentorship & trip-planning call with the Packs Light team.
Packs Light is a travel media company that encourages others to seek risk, seize opportunity, skip debt, and see the world 🌎✈️✨ Founded in 2018 by Gabby Beckford,
For more on what Packs Light is, the story behind the brand, and who Packs Light serves, visit our “About Us” page.
Judging will commence in two separate phases.
The first phase will be carried out by the Packs Light team to select the top applicants.
Then, the second (and final) phase will be carried out by our Packs Light Travel Grant Advisory Board, which consists of a total of 8 members. The Advisory Board members are:
- Gabby Beckford, Grant Founder & Creator at Packs Light
- Alia Pialtos, COO at Go Overseas
- Eliz Aquino, Content & Community Manager at Go Overseas
- Christina Jane, Packs Light Internship Alumni, Travel Blogger & Writer
- Deidre Mathis, Founder at Wanderstay Hospitality Group
- Emma Welch, Creator Manager at LinkedIn
- Oneika Raymond, Travel Expert, Journalist, + TV Host
- Taylor Inglut, Executive Assistant at Packs Light + Freelance Marketing Strategist
The Packs Light Travel Grant Advisory Board will select the 3x grant winners.
Packs Light is a trusted travel company that finds, vets, and helps people win paid travel opportunities (PTOs) like this all 👏 the 👏 time. 👏
Don't believe us? Check out our Winners Wall for members of our audience who we have helped win once-in-a-lifetime dream trips!
Plus, you can always find us on our socials (linked at the top of this page) to check if we're legit for yourself!
APPLYING: EASY AS 1 2 3...
1. Check your eligibility
Use the "Am I eligible?" quiz to see if this grant is a fit, and learn about other cool opportunities if it's not!
2. Submit your Round 1 application
Eligible applicants should fill out the form below and link to an unlisted, publicly viewable YouTube video.
3. Top 10 move onto Round 2!
Once our top applicants have been selected, we will need to see proof of eligibility, a formal trip outline, etc.
1
Start your application here!
Once you start your application you won't be able to save it in this window.
Our advice:
1.) Bookmark this page.
2) Apply via desktop, not mobile.
3) Assemble the application contents in a Google Doc.
4.) Come back to submit your application when you have 8-15 full minutes of attention.
📅 DATES TO REMEMBER
27
Feb
Open for Applications
15
April
Round 1 - Public Submission Deadline! ⏰
01
Jun
Round 2 - Internal Submission Deadline ⏰
15
Jun
Winners Announced!
💡 STUDY ABROAD REDO INSPIRATION RESOURCES
Want a trip that has been planned for you? Check out the variety of cultural learning experiences offered through Go Overseas!
Don't want to spend your Study Abroad Re-Do by yourself? Consider one of The Nomadic Network's curated group trips!
The Young Travelers Network is a FaceBook group of 8K+ Gen Z and Zillennial travelers who share destination inspiration & travel tips.
The Packs Light PTO Start Page houses the PTO Dashboard, study abroad advice, and every essential starter PTO resource.
Looking for a long-term study abroad experience? The USA Gap Year Fair resources powered by Go Overseas are for you!
The How to Take $10K Trips… for FREE! course has every insider tip + trick you need to know to find, apply to, and win PTO!
Are you a brand looking to sponsor a future packs light travel grant? 👀
This grant is the first of a series of grants released from Packs Light with the intention of breaking down barriers to travel. Align with our mission and tap into an incredible marketing by sponsoring one of our future grant giveaways.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH:
Head to our Contact Form and enter “Potential PL Grant Sponsor” in the subject line. We'll be in touch!