Information for Faculty and Advisors

IPSL Students

IPSL students are adventuresome, idealistic, thoughtful, generous, curious, enthusiastic, and open-minded. Since 1982, they have been making a difference in local communities around the world, putting their education and skills to good use, and giving meaning to their education.

To learn more about IPSL students, their experiences and reflections, and how the program has impacted their subsequent educational and career decisions, explore the Student Profiles. Several profiles feature student writings, submitted as part of their IPSL program coursework.

Who goes on IPSL programs?

IPSL welcomes qualified applicants from all colleges and universities around the world. Students come from many different backgrounds and interests, and many types of colleges and universities from all parts of the United States, Canada, and other nations. IPSL yearly enrollment consists of:

about 90% undergraduates. Most are juniors and seniors, followed by sophomores, first-year college students, and an occasional gap year student.
about 10% recent college graduates, graduate students, in-service professionals (especially in the summer), and vigorous retirees.

IPSL students come from a variety of ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds. A significant number of students in recent years have enrolled in programs which connect them to their own cultural and ethnic heritage.

Should your students participate?

Yes! If they:

are prepared to work hard. The service is demanding and the academic work rigorous. They need to be mature and committed in order to balance and complete their academic and service obligations.
welcome adventure and challenge, and meet both with perspective and humor.
enjoy new ideas, values, people and ways of life, and are flexible and open.
are prepared to be a role model, a kind of "good-will ambassador" representing IPSL, their family, home college/university, nation, and, mostly, themselves.

And if they want to:

give something good of themselves to others and receive from them their culture, knowledge, wisdom and friendship.
experience another culture in-depth in ways not available to tourists or through traditional study abroad programs.
apply academic studies and theory to the issues faced by real people, in real life.
test themselves, learning to live independently from their usual support systems.
develop skills, try a career idea, examine their values, learn about those different from themselves.

Sending Institutions

Over 400 colleges and universities in the U.S. and other nations have sent students on IPSL programs for credit. These include 2- and 4-year, public and private, Ivy League, large research institutions, and small community colleges. We would be happy to provide information about your institution’s sending history. For information, please contact Maureen Brady, Director of University Relations, by email or by phone at 212.986.0989.

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