Connect deeply with people and social change organizations through a 4-week immersive study abroad experience. See the world, discover new cultures, and gain valuable work experience and Westminster credit by performing volunteer service in another country.

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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 2024 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: $4,860

Program Fee Breakdown

The comprehensive program fee includes:

  • Tuition and instruction
    • Spanish Language bootcamp course (10 hours) plus a 3-credit course (choose either IPSL 450 Environmental Justice in Peru or IPSL 452 Indigenous Knowledge Traditional Healing) OR Spanish Language course for 3 credits (SPAN 225/226/325/326)
    • 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 2024 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: $5,340

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 471 Global Health and Environment (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, 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
  • 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:

  • 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 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.

Term: Summer 2024 (flexible start date)
Length of Program: 4 Weeks
Comprehensive Program Fee: $6,310

“It’s impossible to understand the offbeat charm of modern-day Thessaloniki without first knowing a little of the forces that shaped it. The Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires all staked a claim to the port city, founded in 315BC, and each saw the addition of new monuments, crypts, churches and culinary quirks that paved the way for today’s affluent melting pot city.”

Helen Iatrou

Program Fee Breakdown

The comprehensive program fee includes:

  • Tuition and instruction
    • IPSL 431 Greek Language, History, and Culture (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 with a meal/grocery stipend of $200
    • 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
  • Meals in excess of the meal stipend
  • 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

Participants must provide at least 4 weeks’ notice of intent to travel to a program location. IPSL Global Engagement at Westminster University makes every effort to ensure that programs operate as described in the published material. IPSL reserves the right to make changes, without prior notice, to the service, academic study, academic excursions, and/or housing offered. As long as the altered arrangements enable the student to complete the required academic credits, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of IPSL, no refund or reduction of fees will be made.