The Olmsted Scholar Program is a fully-funded, two-and-a-half to three-year graduate study program for military officers, who study at foreign universities and in foreign languages. Olmsted Scholars have studied in every corner of the world, from Paris to Mumbai and mainland China. The Foundation normally does not assign two or more Scholars to the same city at the same time. To view current locations not open to the next Olmsted class, click here.
But the program is as much a cultural experience as it is academic. Scholars travel extensively through the Foundation’s generous annual grants, taking in the many different customs, behaviors and attitudes around them. They explore cultures and nations in ways that can’t be achieved by any other means. Scholars have done everything from flying aircraft with the Argentine Navy, to teaching villagers how to sew in northern Thailand and participating in international martial arts competitions in Eastern Europe.
Scholars have described the program and its cultural immersion as the greatest adventure of their lives, filled with challenges and surprises, that readies them for a lifetime of leadership and greater responsibility.
Scholars have immersed themselves in cultures all over the world, having studied in 223 universities and in 44 different languages. Take a look below to see where our scholars have been.