Council for Opportunity in Education

Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program

COE will host a group of low-income and first-generation undergraduate TRIO program participants and two group leaders for the 2025 Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 20 to July 18, 2026.

Applications are now open

Give Your TRIO Students the World!

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) invites TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and McNair Scholars to apply for the 2026 Keith Sherin Global Leaders Study Abroad Program—an incredible opportunity to study global sustainability, peace, and justice in The Hague, Netherlands. For more than 20 years, this program has empowered TRIO students to explore the world beyond their communities, shaping their academic and professional futures. Selected students will engage in coursework while at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (HAUS), and they will participate in global exchange and build international leadership connections. Students must apply before Monday, January 26, 2026.

APPLY HERE
Additional Information

🌍 Global Perspective: Students will study the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and explore how they can impact global challenges. 🏛 Real-World Experience: Through hands-on learning and site visits, students will understand international policies in a city known for peace and justice. 🎓 Academic Credit: The program awards four (4) European credit hours (equivalent to 2 U.S. credits), enhancing their academic portfolio. 🤝 Networking & Leadership Development: Students will be paired with international peers at HAUS and engage in networking events. ✈️ All Travel & Housing Included: The program covers airfare, accommodations, meals, and excursions, ensuring a full study abroad experience.

✔️ TRIO SSS or McNair Scholars in good academic standing. ✔️ At least sophomore status at their institution. ✔️ Demonstrated leadership ability and commitment to learning in a global setting. ✔️ Must attend a COE Institutional Member institution.
Free Webinar

Keith Sherin Global Leaders: Study Abroad Information Session

January 08, 2026,

Calling all TRIO Student Support Services and McNair staff: Join us for a session that goes beyond the ordinary. Discover the ins and outs of the application process, explore potential funding options, and gain success strategies to empower your students as they navigate the enriching study abroad experience. Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your students’ global perspectives and leadership potential! Apply now for a summer like no other.
Get more info & Register

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Spend the first week getting to know your host country before studying at The Hague Summer School

Spend the first week getting to know your host country! You’ll be learning about the Netherlands’ social and educational context, specifically focusing on higher education and cultural diversity in theory and practice. Under the auspices of ECHO, the Center for Diversity Policy, students will visit Amsterdam and meet student leaders representing migrant communities.

For the next two weeks, you’ll study at The Hague Summer School, a cutting-edge modular set of courses based on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The classes focus on solving global issues by connecting the public and private sectors. There is no better place to learn and practice world citizenship than in The Hague (Den Haag), the International City of Peace and Justice, and the political and cultural heart of the Netherlands.

LEARN MORE

Opening the World to First-Generation Leaders

The Global Leaders Program yearbook features dozens of these stories, showing the power of investing in global experiences for TRIO students.

As chronicled in the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program Yearbook, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has changed lives—and futures. The program blends academic coursework with cultural immersion, community service, and global leadership training. Alumni often cite it as a turning point in their personal and professional development. In fact, many have gone on to become university faculty, public servants, nonprofit leaders, and even elected officials. From reflections on breaking generational barriers to gaining new cultural perspectives, each story in the yearbook is a testament to the program’s impact.

“This opportunity to study in Salamanca changed my life and made me realize I could travel as a first-gen student all around the world.”

— Liz Morales, 2016 Global Leader; Program Manager, Huntsman Cancer Institute

“After interning in D.C. through the program, I pursued a PhD in higher education policy. I’m now a professor—and it all started with Keith Sherin.”

— Dr. Denisa Gandara, 2010 Global Leader; Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin

Read more student stories and see where they are now.

READ MORE

FOR TRIO STUDENTS

Unleash Your Potential: Explore the World with Study Abroad

Embark on a journey that will not only change your life but also open doors to future career success. In today’s diverse society, our future leaders must possess the skills needed to excel in a global workforce. Employers actively seek individuals who have experienced study abroad opportunities, recognizing the personal and academic growth they foster. Studying abroad equips you with a unique skill set highly valued by employers. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), it positively impacts the development of various 21st-century job skills such as intercultural skills, adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and more. These skills are essential for thriving in today’s interconnected world. Your study abroad experience doesn’t just broaden your skills; it also expands your career possibilities. Longer study abroad durations significantly impact subsequent job offers and skill development. Short-term programs are particularly effective in developing teamwork skills, enhancing your marketability in any job market. Embark on a journey of a lifetime with study abroad. Explore new cultures, expand your horizons, and pave the way for future career success. With careful planning and support from TRIO and COE, your study abroad experience will be unforgettable and transformative.

STUDENT TOOLKIT
Why Study Abroad? Unlocking Career Opportunities

To make your international journey even more meaningful, consider your career and study abroad goals. Your TRIO staff and campus study abroad advisors are invaluable resources to help align your goals with available programs. Use our template to examine your aspirations and chart your path to success.

Study abroad can be financially feasible with careful planning and access to scholarships and funding opportunities. COE is committed to increasing accessibility to study abroad through initiatives like the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program, providing financial support to eligible students. Explore various scholarship options and utilize resources from your institution’s financial aid office to make your study abroad dreams a reality.

From applying for passports to organizing finances and packing essentials, thorough planning is key to a smooth study abroad experience. Follow our comprehensive checklist, starting from one year before departure to your arrival date, to ensure you’re well-prepared for the adventure ahead.

FOR TRIO STAFF

Unlock Global Opportunities with Study Abroad: A Toolkit for TRIO Professionals

By promoting study abroad opportunities, TRIO professionals empower students to broaden their horizons, develop essential skills, and seize opportunities for personal and professional growth. In today’s dynamic world, global competencies are not just desirable but essential for success in the academic and professional spheres. However, the benefits of study abroad have often been out of reach for many low-income students. Recognizing this disparity, COE emphasizes that study abroad experiences are vital high-impact practices that TRIO students should actively engage in. Studying abroad isn’t just about exploring new lands; it’s about broadening horizons and equipping students with skills highly valued by employers. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), studying abroad positively impacts the development of crucial 21st-century job skills, including intercultural skills, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving. Moreover, study abroad experiences open up a world of career possibilities. They enhance long-term career progression and promotion opportunities, with longer study abroad durations significantly impacting subsequent job offers and skill development. Even short-term programs foster essential traits like teamwork, adaptability, and resilience.

STAFF GUIDE
Broaden Horizons, Enhance Skills

Studying abroad enhances intercultural skills, making students more desirable to future employers. It allows exploration of facets of their major not apparent at home, reinforcing their educational experience. Demonstrates commitment to education, making students attractive candidates for graduate schools seeking diverse perspectives. It fosters personal growth and self-discovery through immersion in different cultures. Provides a unique opportunity for profound personal enrichment and growth. By promoting study abroad opportunities, TRIO professionals empower students to broaden their horizons, develop essential skills, and seize opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Embarking on a study abroad journey is exhilarating yet daunting. As TRIO professionals, your guidance and support are invaluable in helping students navigate this transformative experience. Here’s how you can assist your students as they prepare for their study abroad adventure. Provide comprehensive understanding of COE and its study abroad programs, emphasizing their commitment to TRIO students. Encourage students to set clear and achievable goals for their study abroad experience. Encourage research about the destination’s culture, history, and language to enhance appreciation and understanding.Foster enthusiasm by allowing students to share their research findings and experiences, igniting excitement for their adventure.

Don’t forget the practicalities! Help your students with everything from scholarship applications to medical requirements and emergency planning. Invite experienced travelers to share insights and answer questions, preparing students for what lies ahead. Encourage students to embrace self-discovery, preparing them for the journey ahead and fostering confidence and independence. Equip students with essential peacebuilding skills to navigate diverse perspectives and foster meaningful connections abroad. Help students understand how they may be perceived abroad as representatives of the United States, promoting effective communication and cultural sensitivity.
Terrance L. Hamm

Expanding Horizons: The 2024 Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program 

August 26, 2024

Study abroad programs are more than just academic experiences; they are opportunities for personal growth, cultural immersion, and the development of global perspectives. For first-generation and low-income students, these programs can be life-changing, offering experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. Recognizing this potential, COE hosted twenty TRIO program participants for the 2024 Keith…
Read More

ADDITIONAL OPPRTUNITIES

COE will invite applications for these additional opportunities soon.

COE has seasonal student opportunities for TRIO high school and undergraduate students and recent TRIO graduates. Get notified when COE seeks future cohorts for the opportunities below.

GET NOTIFIED

Each summer, COE hosts more than 150 TRIO high school student delegates from Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Talent Search programs across the United States and territories to participate in a rigorous 6-day leadership experience in Washington, D.C. During the Leadership Congress, the delegates sleep, study, and dine on the campus of American University.  In addition to meeting their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill, delegates participate in community service projects, conflict resolution workshops, and spend much of the program engaged in a Mock Congress. This requires students to research critical policy issues, draft legislation, and debate their peers with their assigned team.

A paid internship opportunity lasting four to six months is awarded each year to a graduating senior or recent college graduate who has participated in a federal TRIO program. The program includes an internship in a Congressional office preceded by several weeks in COE’s Washington, DC office. The internship is named for the late Thomas R. Wolanin, former staff director of the Subcommittee on Post- Secondary Education in the U.S. House of Representatives, a champion of access and affordability in postsecondary education, and a committed advocate for first-generation students.

The Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program was founded with the notion that all college students should have access to international experiences. The program supports the study of TRIO college students with demonstrated leadership skills in a three-to-four-week program. Since 2000, more than 350 low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities have participated in COE-sponsored short-term and semester study abroad programs in Great Britain, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Spain.

Through the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Washington Semester Program, one high-achieving TRIO college student is selected each semester and supported with tuition, housing, and a small living stipend. The Washington, D.C. public policy program includes a semester of study at Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center and an internship placement in a Congressional office.

COE’s TRIO Career Development Program (TCDP) provides TRIO SSS and McNair students with access to competitive paid internships and jobs. TCDP builds professional skills, supports development through mentoring, provides connections to careers with top employers, and helps maximize their work experience. Students receive personalized mentoring and tools to develop and execute their career plans. After building valuable relationships, these students will be prepared to compete for highly sought-after positions with various public and private sector partners.

Get in Touch

Questions? Contact Director of Student Opportunities Angela L. Holley.

Popular Links

Advancing International Access: Guides to Support Student AbroadAbout COEInstitutional MembershipStudent Opportunities2022 Keith Sherin Global Leaders Study Diversity and Inclusion, Student Empowerment, and Sustainability COE and TRIO ProgramsSupport Us

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