About IPSL Global Engagement
IPSL Global Engagement's mission is to engage students, educators, and grassroots organizations around the world in hands-on service to promote equitable relationships, social justice, sustainable change, and a commitment to our shared humanity.
IPSL Global Engagement at Westminster University offers fully accredited graduate programs and credit bearing, undergraduate service-learning programs in nations across the globe. We specialize in helping our participants create custom programs whether you are pursuing college credit, want to study a language, focused on community volunteering and service-learning, want to do research or achieve practicum or internship hours. Over 4,000 students, retirees, professionals, families, AmeriCorps alums, Peace Corps returnees, veterans and first-generation college students have participated since IPSL was founded in 1981.
How Did IPSL Get Started?
Originally known as "The International Partnership for Service-Learning™ and Leadership," IPSL was founded in 1981, is an educational organization serving individuals, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and other service agencies around the world by fostering programs that link academic study and experiential education with volunteer service. In keeping with our tradition as educational pioneers, IPSL launched Community Organizing and Social Activism (COSA) curriculum in 2017.
IPSL works to make international engagement more ethical, accessible and sustainable, by facilitating relationships and learning between individuals and social change agents around the world. Unlike internships, IPSL does not 'place' students but rather offers opportunities for students to connect with our locally run, small partner organizations serving the needs of their communities.
IPSL Partners
AmeriCorps
Service Year Alliance Alums and IPSL have partnered to provide opportunities for AmeriCorps Alums interested in service abroad, international education and development, and service-learning. Through IPSL programs, AmeriCorps alumni members can connect to unique learning experiences and apply and further develop their service-learning and leadership skills in an international setting.
Opportunities and benefits for AmeriCorps alums
IPSL Opportunities for AmeriCorps Alums:
- Flexible, custom programs of any length focusing on participant’s goals and interests
- Graduate Programs in International Development and Service (IDS) or Community Organizing and Social Activism (COSA)
- Undergraduate international study and service-learning programs with academic credit
- Advocacy Research abroad in service of our organizations for academic credit
AmeriCorps Alumni Benefits:
- Priority Admission
- Ability to use your AmeriCorps Segal Education Award(s)*
- IPSL application processing fee waived
- Graduate programs only: Automatic $5,500 scholarship from IPSL (even if you have already used your Ed award)
* Apply the Education award to your current school to use for an IPSL program.
How Our Mission and Ethic of Service Support Our Participants and Communities
Seven Guiding Principles
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Ethical behavior
- Respect for stakeholder interests
- Respect for the rule of law
- Respect for international norms of behavior
- Respect for human rights
Social
Since 1981, IPSL has facilitated over 471,000 volunteer hours in our partner communities, supported the work of hundreds of nonprofits and NGOs around the world, vigorously (and unapologetically) promoted social-racial-economic justice through service-based programming, research and publishing, scholarships/funding, and on social media. Recently, our organization launched new initiatives that will sustain our service-based mission into the future.
Environmental
IPSL works to lessen its carbon footprint on our increasingly fragile planet. Since study abroad can only take place by boarding a plane, IPSL contributes to sustainable projects in several countries whose efforts help mitigate the harmful effects of pollution and waste that result from traveling.
Giving Back
IPSL understands the financial commitments participants make to be able to study and serve abroad. We take the trust they put in us very seriously. IPSL returns on average 83% of our annual revenues to our partner communities in the form of donations, faculty salaries, host family remunerations, payments to local groups that support our students in service and beyond, flight scholarships, and more. For decades, IPSL has been helping sustain communities abroad through ethical service and scholarship, and we are proud of our history.