Featured 2025 Summer IPSL Programs: Community Organizing and Social Activism
Join IPSL Global Engagement’s unique study abroad and volunteer service programs in some of the world’s most exciting locations. Participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in cultural immersion, community engagement and giving back through meaningful volunteer service. Apply for a Dumke Civic Engagement stipend to travel and serve in one of these 5 destinations.
Apply Now Submit a stipend application
Overview
Cusco is one of the most important historical and cultural tourist destinations in the world and was the capital of the Incan Empire. Situated at an elevation of 3,399 meters (11,152 feet) in the Andes mountains, Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Despite the renown of this amazing city and region, inequality in many forms persists, and IPSL’s commitments in Cusco focus on supporting local organizations working to improve health access, combating poverty, and aiding local efforts to empower marginalized groups.
Term: Summer 2025 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4–12 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: Starting at $4,860 for 4 weeks
Program Fee Breakdown
The comprehensive program fee includes:
- Tuition and instruction
- IPSL 402 Community Organizing and Social Activism (3 credits)
- Books and materials
- Room and board, service placement and oversight, enrichment activities and excursions,
transfers, student support, insurance, and fees
- Lodging with a host family, single room, full board
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Excursion(s): City tour, Valle Sagrado, Machu Picchu (overnight) or similar
- Pre-departure orientation and preparation
- Welcome meal, farewell meal, and on-site orientation
- Service placement and oversight (approx. 40 hours)
- Service site honorarium
- Full-time, on-site program support with 24-hour, in-country staff
- Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance
- IPSL administration
What's not included:
- International flights
- Some local transportation
- Cell phone
- Passport or visa expenses
- Any expenses associated with independent travel
Service Placements
Students serve a minimum of 10 hours per week with a local organization. Placements are based on the student’s background and interests as well as the host organization’s schedule and needs. The type of volunteer placement may depend on language proficiency and organizational needs or capacity and cannot be guaranteed in advance of arrival.
- Health Clinic
- Safe home for girls (females only)
- Elementary School near Cusco
- Dog Shelter
Overview
As the capital of Vietnam for almost one thousand years, Hanoi is considered one of the main cultural centers of Vietnam. The city, like most of the country, is in the throes of fast and furious development driven by a young population of energetic and creative Vietnamese. It is a place where history is informing the future, and exciting things are happening. Local cuisine specialties, exotic street food, and numerous dance and music clubs liven up the scene. Civilization in Vietnam has its own unique style, forged through years of resistance to threats from larger and more powerful nations. This determination to remain independent has created a culture of self-reliance, discipline, and solidarity still visible in public life today.
Term: Summer 2025 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4–12 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: Starting at $5,103 for 4 weeks
Program Fee Breakdown
The comprehensive program fee includes:
- Tuition and instruction
- Vietnamese Language bootcamp (approx. 12 hours)
- IPSL 402 Community Organizing and Social Activism (3 credits)
- Books and materials
- Room and board, service placement and oversight, enrichment activities and excursions,
transfers, student support, insurance, and fees
- Lodging with an IPSL foundation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Excursion(s): City tour, Hanoi region, Ha Long Bay cruise, or similar
- Pre-departure orientation and preparation
- Welcome meal, farewell meal, and on-site orientation
- Service placement and oversight (approx. 40 hours)
- Service site honorarium
- Full-time, on-site program support with 24-hour, in-country staff
- Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance
- IPSL administration
What's not included:
- International flights
- Some local transportation
- Cell phone
- Passport or visa expenses
- Any expenses associated with independent travel
Service Placements
Students serve a minimum of 10 hours per week with a local organization. Placements are based on the student’s background and interests as well as the host organization’s schedule and needs. The type of volunteer placement may depend on language proficiency and organizational needs or capacity and cannot be guaranteed in advance of arrival.
Possible community engagement placements include:
- Teaching English in a community center
- Childcare or social welfare center
- Childcare and education for mentally impaired or physically impaired children
- Health clinic
- Youth development
Overview
Greece’s quirky second city of Thessaloniki sat at the heart of great empires for two millennia. Today, it offers up historic sites alongside some of the country’s best cuisine and livability. Enjoy world-class beaches, mountains and outdoor recreation, and a vibrant city that attracts young people from around the world.
Term: Summer 2025 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4-12 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: Starting at $6,720 for 4 weeks
Program Fee Breakdown
Service Placements
Students serve a minimum of 10 hours per week with a local organization. Placements are based on the student’s background and interests as well as the host organization’s schedule and needs. The type of volunteer placement may depend on language proficiency and organizational needs or capacity and cannot be guaranteed in advance of arrival.
- Social service organization
- Refugee center
- Green sustainability in urban settings organization
- Ocean conservation NGO
Overview
Nestled in the picturesque town of Chinchiná, Colombia, at the heart of the renowned
'Eje del Café' (Coffee Axis), this captivating program offers a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to explore Colombia's rich coffee culture while making a meaningful impact
through volunteer service. Participants will engage in: cultural immersion, coffee
heritage, and community engagement while giving back through meaningful volunteer
service.
Term: Summer 2025 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4-12 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: Starting at $4,950 for 4 weeks
Program Fee Breakdown
The comprehensive program fee includes:
- Tuition and instruction
- Spanish Language bootcamp course (10 hours)
- IPSL 402 Community Organizing and Social Activism (3 credits) Books and materials
- Room and board, service placement and oversight, enrichment activities and excursions,
transfers, student support, insurance, and fees
- Lodging with an IPSL foundation, breakfast and dinner
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Excursion(s): city tour, local excursions to Arauca, Finca de café, and/or similar
- Pre-departure orientation and preparation
- Welcome meal, farewell meal, and on-site orientation
- Service placement and oversight (approx.. 40 hours)
- Service site honorarium
- Full-time, on-site program support with 24-hour, in-country staff
- Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance
- IPSL administration
What’s not included:
- International flights
- Some local transportation
- Some meals (lunches)
- Cell phone
- Passport or visa expenses
- Any expenses associated with independent travel
Service Placements
Students serve a minimum of 10 hours per week with a local organization. Placements
are based on the student’s background and interests as well as the host organization’s
schedule and needs. The type of volunteer placement may depend on language proficiency
and organizational needs or capacity and cannot be guaranteed in advance of arrival.
Possible community engagement placements include:
- Healthcare
- Residential facility for young women and girls
- Daycare and after school facility
- Elementary or middle school
Overview
Founded in 1652, Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, leading to the moniker “Mother City”. Due to its geographical importance for trade by sea, the Republic of South Africa is one of the most diverse and complex countries in the world. Known as the Rainbow Nation, and with the motto “Unity in Diversity”, the country has 11 official languages, with only Bolivia, India and Zimbabwe counting more. Cape Town has one of the highest levels of biodiversity anywhere in the world, and the Cape Peninsula contains the highest concentration of endangered species of any equivalent area, with critically-threatened species surviving in small pockets across the region.
Term: Summer 2025 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4-12 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: Starting at $7,460 for 4 weeks
Program Fee Breakdown
The comprehensive program fee includes:
- Tuition and instruction
- IPSL 402 Community Organizing and Social Activism (3 credits) Books and materials
- Room and board, service placement and oversight, enrichment activities and excursions,
transfers, student support, insurance, and fees
- Lodging at an Eco-Lodge
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Excursion(s): Stellenbosch, Robben Island, Table Mountain, or similar
- Pre-departure orientation and preparation
- Welcome meal, farewell meal, and on-site orientation
- Service placement and oversight (approx. 40 hours)
- Service site honorarium
- Full-time, on-site program support with
- 24-hour, in-country staff
- Emergency Medical and Evacuation
- Insurance
- IPSL administration
- What's not included
- International flights
- Some local transportation
- Most meals
- Cell phone
- Passport or visa expenses
- Any expenses associated with independent travel
Service Placements
- Students serve a minimum of 10 hours per week with a local organization. Placements are based on the student’s background and interests as well as the host organization’s schedule and needs. The type of volunteer placement may depend on language proficiency and organizational needs or capacity and cannot be guaranteed in advance of arrival.
- Possible community engagement placements include:
- Social services organizations
- Food security
- Eco-justice
- Youth leadership and empowerment
- Community health organizations
Westminster University and IPSL Global Engagement reserve the right to cancel a study experience or make modifications to the itinerary and/or academic program due to factors that are beyond Westminster's control. Additional study sites are available that are not eligible for the stipend.