December 27, 2022

While 2022 provided a return to normalcy on some fronts, it was not a year without challenges. Conflict, economic uncertainty, and extremism served as stark reminders that global societies foster complex issues. But these reminders also served to reaffirm our dedication—and the dedication of our participants—to find solutions together. As we close out the year, World Learning looks back at some of the stories featured, where human connections fostered greater understanding, innovative ideas built new communities, and education created new opportunities and stronger ways to collaborate.

From Kenya and Panama to the United States: How two Global UGRAD students formed a fast friendship

One is a law student from Kenya, the other is an aspiring educator from Panama. Yet when they both arrived at Keuka College in New York as part of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program this fall, Samuel Njenga and Elian González Lara became fast friends.

How the Digital Communication Network is expanding its reach to combat disinformation

Today, much of the world receives and learns about critical information digitally. But as new digital platforms are being created every day with an ever-greater global reach, many have unleashed the spread of disinformation. The need for media professionals to actively promote media literacy to identify transparent media sources and accurate information is critically important in today’s world. The Digital Communication Network is leading this charge.

IVLP migration delegates visit new model in U.S. refugee resettlement

As part of World Learning’s International Visitors Leadership Program, a delegation of 10 migration professionals from Central and South America traveled to Vermont this summer to learn about a collaborative initiative between World Learning, School for International Training, and the Ethiopian Community Development Council. The New Vermonter Education Program is an innovative refugee program in rural areas and is changing the paradigm for refugee resettlement in the United States.

Young citizens are at the forefront of change

With many programs around the world concentrated in capital cities, youth in more remote areas are often excluded from national campaigns, funded trainings and activities, and other government services. The “Ideas into Action” design sprints seek to help. Based on a citizens-centered model, the design sprints provide a streamlined framework so youth can analyze local issues, devise potential solutions, and map out future action plans—all during fast, two-day workshops.

WE Can Code Program Teaches Women’s Economic Empowerment with Newly Designed Book

World Learning is working to promote women’s equality through its pilot project WE Can Code, a women’s economic empowerment and career mentorship program in Jordan. “Strive: A Story About Pursuing Your Dreams” is an interactive narrative-based tool used in the program that helps teach young women critical life skills.

Teaching Youth Digital Citizenship is a Must in Today’s World

While the digital world allows for people to share ideas and experiences across the globe, navigating through this sea of information can be especially hard for younger audiences. The result is a pressing need to educate young people on how best to engage ethically and safely with online content and use platforms to securely amplify their voices and inspire action. World Learning’s digital citizenship lessons include project-based learning and human-centered design approaches that teach participants how to be responsible online.

Third Cohort of Alumni Small Grants Empower Youth-Led Change

To empower youth to make change in their communities, World Learning, in collaboration with the Stevens Initiative, announced a third cohort of students to receive Alumni Small Grants. The recipients, who are all alumni of The Experiment Digital, received up to $500 along with tools, resources, and support to launch community-based projects that make a positive social change. Projects include providing language training for refugees, designing a community garden, and developing an online platform for multiracial youth to connect with each other.

Exchange Alumni Use Augmented Reality to Uplift History’s Marginalized Voices

What if you could pick up your phone and point the camera at a historical monument to make that monument come alive and tell a story? That’s what two Alumni TIES participants are doing with their work to tell stories of Black resistance and resilience through a format tailored to the 21st century: augmented reality. Their new augmented reality tour goes beyond well-worn narratives to uplift marginalized voices, giving them the long overdue space to speak.

Explore our Impact Report to learn more about how World Learning, School for International Training, and The Experiment in International Living participants, students, faculty, and staff have come together to build forward, stronger together, to create a brighter and better future for all this year.