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Founded in 1932 as The Experiment in International Living, World Learning
is one of the first private, nonprofit, international educational services
organizations in the world. World Learning's broad spectrum of educational
and training programs enables participants--individuals and institutions--to
develop the leadership capabilities and cross-cultural competence required
to advance international understanding, work effectively in multicultural
environments, and achieve sustainable development at the community level
or on a national scale.
World Learning for International Development in Washington,
D.C. is a prominent private voluntary organization (PVO) that administers
social and economic projects in international development and training
worldwide under U.S. government and international contracts and grants.
World Learning specializes in developing the skills and potential of individuals
and institutions. An acknowledged leader in intercultural education and
training, World Learning is active in five broad sectors:
Democracy and Governance -- strengthening
the ability of individuals and civic groups to contribute to civil society
and effective governance
Education -- ensuring that communities
have the resources, tools, and technology to facilitate effective instruction
and create learning opportunities
Training and Exchange -- developing
an individual's knowledge, skills, and attitudes as tools for personal
growth and improved performance
Institutional Capacity Building -- contributing
to the effectiveness of community-based groups through targeted technical
assistance, training, and support
Societies in Transition -- helping post-crisis
communities build the foundation for sustainable social and economic development
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World Learning for Business provides integrated solutions
to the enterprise-level language and intercultural training needs of global
organizations. World Learning designs client-centered systems based on
industry best practices for the strategic development, comprehensive outsourcing,
and management of language and intercultural training. We provide fully
customized competency-based training in all languages at World Learning
sites in Vermont and California, or at clients' sites anywhere in the
world. Programs are delivered in individual or group classes and through
guided self-instruction. Our portfolio includes executive communication
coaching and orientation programs to assist those preparing for international
negotiations, meetings, or assignments.
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Established in 1964, World Learning's accredited institution
of higher education is heir to over 71 years of pioneering intercultural
educational programs -- including providing the first language training
and teaching materials for the U.S. Peace Corps. Today, SIT offers master's
degrees, academic study abroad, extension courses, educational system
reform initiatives, and management development courses. SIT programs emphasize
experiential methodologies and create synergies between theory, practice,
peer group reflection, and field-based learning.
Master
of Arts in Teaching -- This graduate-level teacher education program
emphasizing language classroom practice consists of both on-campus coursework
and a supervised teaching internship. It is offered either during the
academic year
or in a summer format,
with concentrations in Spanish, French, or English to Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL) with options for public school ESOL certification.
Programs in Intercultural
Service, Leadership and Management
-- This two-year program is a comprehensive theoretical and practical
preparation to effect change in international and community environments,
leading to one of five master's degrees: Master
of Arts in Conflict Transformation, Master
of Arts in International Education, Master
of Arts in Intercultural Relations, Master
of Arts in Sustainable Development, Master
of Science in Organizational Management, and Master
of Arts in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management. Each
degree program consists of on-campus study, a professional practicum,
and a capstone paper and seminar.
SIT Professional and Short Programs
-- A variety of programs for working professionals who wish to enhance
their careers and accelerate their professional development through distance
education, graduate or continuing education programs, short courses, and
summer classes.
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Centers for Change: Global Expertise
Center for Teacher
Education, Training, and Research -- Promoting research and practice
in collaborative processes of educational system change, this Center offers
consultation, technical support, training, and sponsored research to client
institutions around the world in the fields of institutional change and
development, teacher education, and second/foreign language teaching.
Center for Social Policy and Institutional
Development -- To strengthen the management capability of individuals
in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the Center offers semester, certificate,
and diploma programs as part of a global partnership with NGOs in Asia
and Africa. In addition to its professional development courses (International
Policy Advocacy and Intercultural Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding),
the Center also arranges specialized training programs and consulting
services to NGOs, governments, and multilateral organizations.
College juniors and seniors from over 200 sending
institutions earn 16 transferable credits while engaging in the study
of world issues, cultural diversity, and the impact of globalization.
SIT Study Abroad's over 50 interdisciplinary programs in more than 40
countries -- in Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Caribbean, Oceania,
and Europe and the Middle East -- concentrate on topics as diverse as
arts and social change, peace and conflict studies, gender and development,
natural and human environment, ecology, international studies, and intensive
language studies.
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The Experiment continues its 71-year tradition of
learning to live with people of other cultures by going abroad and living
with a host family. Motivated high school students immerse themselves
in summer programs exploring the culture and language of another country
through homestays, language training, community service, peace studies,
and ecological projects. Three- to five-week summer abroad programs are
offered in over 20 countries. Trained adult group leaders work with in-country
partners to support and challenge participants.
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World Learning is one of more than 25 members of the Federation of National
Representations of The Experiment in International Living, a group of
private, nonprofit, nonpolitical, and nondenominational organizations.
Incorporated in Switzerland in 1954, the Federation has held consultative
status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations
since 1978, and with the Council of Europe since 1981. In 1989, the UN
recognized the Federation as a Peace Messenger organization.
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