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. 

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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.

Possible community engagement placements include:

  • Health Clinic
  • Safe home for girls (females only) 
  • Elementary School near Cusco 
  • Dog Shelter 

person standing outside of a dog shelter

Peruvian woman weaving a colorful blanket

two people sitting outside partaking in traditions

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

person sitting at a table with many children doing crafts

person assisting a small child eat in a classroom

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

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 in an apartment, self-catering
    • Roundtrip airport transfers
    • Excursion(s): City tour, Thessaloniki or regional excursion package, 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
  • Most meals
  • Passport or visa expenses
  • Any expenses associated with independent travel

person standing in front of blue water and grey rock

many people around a table full of food

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 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

group of people sitting in a circle around a pallet table

two people in front of a tea cup sculpture that says "ChinChina"

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 

woman planting in the dirt

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.