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What We Do
Programs
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About Us
Welcome Message from Carol Jenkins, CEOSince 1932, World Learning has been an education and exchange organization delivering exceptional programs that strengthen individuals, institutions, and communities worldwide.
Our programs foster deeper understanding and reflect the strengths of U.S. education and professional excellence. Participants strengthen their expertise, share knowledge, and build lasting partnerships.
Throughout my years at World Learning, I have had the privilege of meeting many of our participants, partners, and alumni—a truly dedicated global network. Our programs promote innovative solutions and create safer, stronger communities.
World Learning remains focused on excellence, accountability, and impact. We are proud of our long history and the tangible results our participants achieve in their communities and professions.
Carol Jenkins | CEO, World Learning
Jack Benson | Chair, Board of Trustees - Get Involved
Country: Moldova
Fulbright Specialist Program
Global Undergraduate Exchange Program
International Visitor Leadership Program
End of Year Report
Chosen by U.S. embassies worldwide to participate, distinguished professionals include:
- parliamentarians
- government officials
- entrepreneurs
- NGO leaders
- journalists
- academics
- arts administrators
- mid-career professionals
Programs focus on policy issues in areas such as:
- government
- international security
- foreign policy
- entrepreneurship
- economics and trade
- media
- leadership
- education
- global health
- arts
- agriculture
- human rights
World Learning staff members design national itineraries, arrange logistics, set up meetings in Washington, DC, and coordinate the collaboration of U.S. Department of State program officers, interpreters and International Visitor Liaisons, and more than 85 local organizations from the Global Ties U.S. Network who arrange local programs nationwide.
Participants
Most participants are mid-career professionals and emerging leaders, and for many, this is their first visit to the U.S. Groups are of varying sizes, from single visitors to groups of 25 or more. World Learning program staff work closely with their State Department counterparts to design a program customized to the project objectives and the visitors’ interests.
Participant Selection
IVLP candidates are selected solely by U.S. embassy personnel in each country. There is no application form. World Learning is a private sector partner of the U.S. Department of State; our role is limited to designing programs for participants once they arrive in the U.S. For further information regarding the program, please consult the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Program Design
A typical project includes up to a week of meetings in Washington, DC, to provide an orientation and overview of the theme and to introduce visitors to federal officials and agencies, organizations, and professionals in their specific field of interest. All projects include a briefing on the U.S. federal system of government. Meetings may include panel discussions, site visits, workshops, individual interlocutors, job shadowing, or service opportunities. Visitors typically travel to an additional three or four cities across the country; the itinerary may include a state capital and a small town to provide first-hand exposure to the people and culture of the U.S. Also included in the program design are hospitality dinners, school visits, volunteer activities, and cultural events such as rodeos, state fairs, festivals, visits to national parks, or events that highlight some unique aspect of the region visited.
Participant Experience
“My recent experience in the IVLP program is so far the deepest ever for me to see and understand the full picture of what America as a country is like. I strongly believe this program will have a very long-term impact on my views about America and the world and to some extent it has already helped me to understand many long-time questions.” – Journalist from China
The International Visitor Leadership Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by World Learning.
Leaders Lead On-Demand Program
Examples of past leaders Lead On-Demand Projects:
- Vietnam Legal Aid
- Sports Leadership Program for Colombia
- Mongolia Disability Rights Legislation and Implementation
- Promoting Open Educational Resources: Middle East and North Africa
- Tourism and Development in Serbia and Kosovo
- Religious Freedom and Interfaith Dialogue for Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
- Emerging Leaders Exchange for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
- Getting Connected Program for the South Pacific
Online Professional English Network Program (OPEN Program)
SIT TESOL Certificate
Special Programs to Address the Needs of Survivors
Grantees of the program included:
Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, Al Hussein Society, Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, Buckner International, Catholic Relief Services, The Center for Victims of Torture, Christian Blind Mission International, Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, CURE International, EveryChild, Friends International, Global Communities, Handicap International, Health Volunteers Overseas, International Nepal Fellowship, International Rescue Committee, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Mobility India, Motivation Charitable Trust, Motivation Romania Foundation, St. Boniface Haiti Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy Wheels for Humanity, University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh – International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, Whirlwind Wheelchair International, World Institute on Disability, and World Vision.

