STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES TO DRIVE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
Overview
Participants in the Malawi Teacher Education Program returned to Malawi after earning BA degrees in education in the US.
Nearly half the world’s population is under age 25. Many of these young people have limited access to quality education, even as their countries strive to compete in a globalized market. Academic exchanges provide life-changing opportunities
ACADEMIC EXCHANGES
and encourage participants to use their new knowledge and skills to lead positive change in their home communities. Academic exchanges also promote cross-cultural understanding. Participants who study in the United States develop a deeper understanding of our people, traditions, government, and civic institutions, while helping US citizens gain a greater appreciation for other countries and cultures.
Approach World Learning’s vision of a just world of engaged citizens and thriving communities informs our approach to academic exchange. We design programs that match the needs of the individual participant, while delivering a complete student experience–academic success, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Our model assists each student in setting attainable goals for their exchange and closely monitors and supports their academic and personal progress. As an implementer of both inbound and outbound exchanges, World Learning also connects students across countries, regions, and programs through our private online community. Using this network, experts throughout World Learning engage with current students and alumni to broaden perspectives and spark lively discussion. We continue to invest in
World Learning is a nonprofit organization that advances leadership through education, exchange, and development programs in more than 60 countries.
participants after their programs end by offering
“ I am so happy to know that my proposal has
small grants that support projects in their home
been selected as one of the eight winning pro-
communities and scholarships to attend World
posals. I am already very excited to implement
Learning’s SIT Graduate Institute.
this project. I always have been concerned by deforestation in my country and wanted to bring
Testimonials “ I continue to be impressed and appreciative of
my help to my community, and this is a dream that will finally come true.” - Nathalie Rodnez
the fact that World Learning supports and guides
Haiti Global Undergraduate Exchange
students before they even leave their home
Program, 2011-2012
countries all the way through their return home again. I know of no other program that provides this kind of comprehensive and hands-on service.” - Stephanie Gonzalez
Success Story Serbian student Ksenija Komljenovic was inspired
Exchange Student and Scholar Advisor,
by her exchange in the United States to create
Illinois State University
a “connecting bridge between the two cultures.” Working with the US Embassy in Belgrade and
“ I KNOW OF NO OTHER PROGRAM T H AT P R OV I D E S T H I S K I N D O F COMPREHENSIVE AND HANDS-ON SERVICE.”
World Learning, she designed a musical exchange program that brought five American percussionists to Serbia to work with Stankovic Percussion Ensemble, Serbia’s only drum line. She then organized a TEDx youth presentation and, with
“ Once I touch down in my country and re-enter my home, I have the duty to show my emotional
her US colleagues, raised $30,000 to put together another musical exchange for summer 2012.
and psychological growth to those around me. They need to see in me a different person with more maturity, decisiveness, independence, confidence, and leadership. It is time to reflect
Contact academicexchange@worldlearning.org
on my strengths and weaknesses. It is time to do and be the change.” - Randy Madrigal Castillo Costa Rica Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, 2011-2012
1015 15th St, NW Seventh Floor Washington, DC 20005 Phone Fax Email
+202 408-5420 +202 408-5397 development@worldlearning.org
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