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"Beyond a change of scenery, I wanted to have a real-world context in order
to put college in perspective. I knew that I would not be satisfied if I didn't
feel like I was interacting with real people and giving back to the community
from which I was absorbing so much. By placing myself in different surroundings
and exposing myself to new situations, I learned about myself in many ways."
- Bronwyn, IPSL Mexico program
The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (IPSL), founded in 1982, is a not-for-profit educational organization serving students, colleges, universities, service agencies, and related organizations around the world by fostering programs that link volunteer service to the community and academic study.
Today, IPSL offers 13 undergraduate service-learning programs in 11 nations—programs in which nearly 3,000 students from more than 400 universities or colleges in the U.S. and 25 other nations have participated. The IPSL Master of Arts in International Service program, developed in cooperation with partner universities in Jamaica, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, prepares graduates for careers in international non-governmental relief and development agencies. Other special programs are designed and managed to fit the needs of particular institutions and organizations.
To advance service-learning, IPSL publishes and distributes books and newsletters related to service-learning, leadership and/or international education. IPSL international conferences, which have been held in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, draw participants from around the world. Ongoing research evaluates the impact of service-learning on students, institutions of higher education, and on the agencies and communities in which the students serve. Our Membership Program provides a network for institutions active in service-learning to engage in dialog and exchange on international service-learning practices.
The mission of the International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership is to engage students, educators, and community members in the union of service and learning, so that all may become more civically engaged, interculturally literate, internationally aware, and responsive to the needs of others.
We fulfill our mission by offering higher education programs that unite academic study and volunteer service to communities in international/ intercultural settings, and by creating models for the practice of service-learning that emphasize partnerships with the host community, rigorous academic learning, substantive service, a clear connection between the studies and service, and reflection. We also serve our mission by promoting the theory and practice of service-learning through research, publications, conferences, training, and a network of institutions that share our commitment to service-learning. Fundamental to our work is the concept of multilateral reciprocity—that students, educators, educational institutions, communities and others benefit mutually from the process and results of international/intercultural service-learning.
The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership values:
Formally founded in 1982, the Partnership for Service-Learning was the first national organization devoted solely to the union of academic study and volunteer community service and the first to offer such programs overseas. More>>
In collaboration with a network of institutional partners around the world, IPSL provides undergraduate service-learning programs in: Ecuador (Galapagos, Guayaquil and Quito ), England, India, Italy, Jamaica, Lakota Nation ( USA ), Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, and Thailand. Undergraduate programs are open to college and university students and graduates from any nation, qualified high school graduates, and in-service professionals. Since 1982, students from over 400 U.S. institutions of higher education and 25 other nations have participated in IPSL programs.
IPSL also designed and administers an M.A. in International Service-Learning and Leadership program, preparing students for professional positions in international not-for-profit organizations.
To develop and promote service-learning in institutions of higher education around the world.
Governed by an international Board of Trustees including college/university presidents and the executives of national education and service organizations, IPSL is staffed by full-time professionals who oversee the programs and visit the sites regularly. Each program has an in-country director. The Program Directors meet annually with the officers and Board of Trustees for review and training. The faculty are in-country, fully qualified academicians.
The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership has received funding from various foundations, including the Ford Foundation, the Hitachi Foundation, the International Foundation, the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, the Henry Luce Foundation, Inc., and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Scholarship funds of the International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership are primarily funded by individual donors. Each year, there are many qualified students who would not be able to participate in an IPSL program without a scholarship. If you would like to give to an IPSL scholarship fund, please contact IPSL. See Financial Aid & Scholarships for a list of IPSL scholarship opportunities.
Tax-deductible contributions to the ongoing work of IPSL may be made online through Network for Good or directly to IPSL. Please contact IPSL with inquiries.
There are many ways to become involved with IPSL activities:
