About Us
Our Story
Alumni
Partners
Non Profit/Social Benefit
Success Matrix
Guiding Principles
The Fine Print
IPSL's mission is to engage students, educators, and grassroots organizations around the world in hands-on service to promote equitable relationships, social justice, sustainable change, and a commitment to our shared humanity.
IPSL Global Engagement at Westminster University offers fully accredited graduate programs and credit bearing, undergraduate service-learning programs in nations across the globe—programs in which over 4,000 students from more than 400 universities or colleges have participated.
Get in touch to start your journey with IPSL today!
To learn more, send us a message via email at info@ipsl.org or call anytime at +1.503.395.IPSL (4775).
How did IPSL get started?
Originally known as "The International Partnership for Service-Learning™ and Leadership," IPSL, founded in 1982, is an educational organization serving students, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and other service agencies around the world by fostering programs that link academic study with volunteer service. In keeping with our tradition as educational pioneers, IPSL launched Community Organizing and Social Activism (COSA) curriculum in 2017.
IPSL works to make international engagement more ethical, accessible and sustainable, by facilitating relationships and learning between students and social change agents around the world. Unlike internships, IPSL does not 'place' students but rather offers opportunities for students to connect with our social change partner organizations in 12 countries.
IPSL Partners
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps - Service Year Alliance Alums and IPSL have partnered to provide opportunities for AmeriCorps Alums interested in service abroad, international education and development, and service-learning. Through IPSL programs, AmeriCorps alumni members can connect to unique learning experiences and apply and further develop their service-learning and leadership skills in an international setting.
IPSL programs support AmeriCorps Alums’ vision that a vibrant network of AmeriCorps alumni will be the leadership pipeline for the 21st century.
Opportunities and benefits for AmeriCorps alums
IPSL Opportunities for AmeriCorps Alums
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Graduate Programs in International Development and Service (IDS) or Community Organizing and Social Activism (COSA)
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Undergraduate international study and service-learning programs (semester, summer and custom) with academic credit
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Advocacy Research™ abroad for academic credit
AmeriCorps Alumni Benefits:
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Priority Admission
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Ability to use your AmeriCorps Segal Education Award (see rules here)*
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IPSL application processing fee waived
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GRADUATE PROGRAM ONLY automatic $5,500 Scholarship from IPSL (even if you have already used your Ed award!)
* Apply the Education award to your current school to use for an IPSL program.
IPSL is a Nonprofit, Social Benefit Organization
At IPSL, we measure our performance on several key metrics that are based on international standards. Unlike regular study abroad entities,
IPSL’s metrics are based on annual results as measured on a triple bottom line; we measure and address our overall social contribution, our environmental impact, and our organization's financial health.
What are our success metrics?
At IPSL, we measure our performance on several key metrics that are based on international standards. Unlike regular study abroad entities, IPSL’s metrics are based on annual results as measured on a triple bottom line; we measure and address our overall social contribution, our environmental impact, and our organization's financial health.
IPSL follows seven guiding principles:
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Accountability
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Transparency
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Ethical behavior
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Respect for stakeholder interests
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Respect for the rule of law
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Respect for international norms of behavior
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Respect for human rights
Social:
Since 1981, IPSL has facilitated over 471,000 volunteer hours in our partner communities, supported the work of hundreds of nonprofits and NGOs around the world, vigorously (and unapologetically) promoted social-racial-economic justice through service-based programming, research and publishing, scholarships/funding, and on social media. Recently, our organization launched new initiatives that will sustain our service-based mission into the future.
At home, we maintain the same mindful practices by supporting local organizations that support the most vulnerable people. Large and small, every decision we make is about giving back and making our world a better and more just place.
As an example, even our office coffee is roasted and sold by Central City Concern, a local nonprofit whose mission combats homelessness, addiction, supports mental health services and promotes self-reliance to people in the greater Portland area. Other organizations we support are the Oregon Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.
Environmental:
IPSL works to lessen its carbon footprint on our increasingly fragile planet. Since study abroad can only take place by boarding a plane, IPSL contributes to sustainable projects in several countries whose efforts help mitigate the harmful effects of pollution and waste that result from traveling. In one academic year, IPSL can contribute funding to environmental organizations to offset close to 600,000 air miles flown by our students, staff, and faculty. In concrete terms, we remit funds to help plant trees around the world; those trees then absorb some of the harmful effects that result from our decisions.
In addition, we support renewable energy by opting into our local power company's Green Source program. Read more here: www.portlandgeneral.com/residential/power-choices/renewable-power/green-source
Giving Back
IPSL reinvests, on average, 83% of our annual revenues directly back into the communities where we learn and serve. In most cases, we have been working with and supporting our partner NGOs and other small nonprofits for years, if not decades.
Financial
IPSL understands the financial commitments students make to be able to study and serve abroad. We take the trust they put in us very seriously. As such, our organization returns - on average - 83% of our annual revenues to our partner communities in the form of donations, faculty salaries, host family remunerations, payments to local groups that support our students in service and beyond, flight scholarships, and more. For thirty-six years, IPSL has been helping sustain communities abroad and in the U.S. through ethical service and scholarship, and we are proud of our history.
...the "fine print"