What Makes Us Unique
Many programs offer overseas service opportunities - what makes Learning Enterprises stand out from the rest?
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There is no charge for program participation
The biggest difference between Learning Enterprises and other service organizations is that we don't charge our volunteers for volunteering abroad. Most other organizations charge hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to participate in their program. This holds true across a wide spectrum of service opportunities, including teaching, reconstruction, or other service-related activities. Instead, we rely on the generosity of donors and alumni who share our vision that students should not have to pay in order to give of themselves for a summer.
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You control your experience
In the classroom, you have control. We can give you the tools to teach, but you are responsible for developing a curriculum that best suits your class. Our goal is to increase communication, and you decide on the best method to do that. You are encouraged to bring your own flare and skills to teaching. If you want to write songs for your students to sing, do it! If you have a knack for art, and want to incorporate it into your lessons, you’re free to do so.
While you do have a set work schedule, your free time is yours. However, we encourage all volunteers to spend as much time as possible with their host families, students, and communities, as it often provides the most meaningful experiences for everyone.
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We're in the business of connecting people
Learning Enterprises started as a way of connecting people who had expertise to share and time to spare. Volunteers, most of whom were college students, had their summers free, and they also had the ability to teach English. The children in rural villages also had their summers free, and these villages had a demand for extra English language classes. To take advantage of these circumstances, someone just needs to connect the two parties, and that is what Learning Enterprises does every summer. The volunteers pay their way to the village, and the local communities pay the living expenses of the volunteers - room and board for six weeks. The program largely operates on the goodwill and trust between the volunteers and the people they teach. Learning Enterprises facilitates this meeting by screening host communities and families as well as preparing the volunteers to teach and become acclimated to a different culture. Thus, Learning Enterprises is centered on the idea of connecting people.
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We are staffed by volunteers
Everyone who works for Learning Enterprises is a volunteer, whether they are the ones teaching English or the ones planning the LE programs. We continue to exist because volunteers who believe in the mission of LE spend their time and enthusiasm supporting what we do. We have been having a great time teaching, traveling, and meeting new people since 1992, and we don't expect this to change anytime soon!
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We keep it fun
Teaching with Learning Enterprises is many things. "Interesting," "educational," "fulfilling," and "eye-opening" are all words that Learning Enterprises alumni have used to describe their experience. However, we don't want to gloss over one simple fact: teaching with Learning Enterprises is tons of fun!
Orientation offers volunteers the chance to bond with one another before setting out for their villages. Days in the village are filled with games with the children, local celebrations, and sightseeing. Some programs also include a midpoint break, where volunteers meet for a weekend in the middle of their teaching assignment. Many also choose to travel together after the program ends.
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We keep it simple
As Learning Enterprises expands, we try to keep things simple and not lose sight of our core values. We exist in order to promote the ideals of our mission statement, not to promote ourselves. Learning Enterprises started as a way of connecting people who had skills to offer with those who needed them. We run a minimal, yet efficient operation. Our model for operating has served us well since its inception, and it should continue to function for many more years to come.
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Testimonials
“LE has the special ability to claim that it is entirely student-run organization…I feel like that gives it more legitimacy than some other programs that seem like they’re run by huge, faceless companies. LE is friendlier, more personable, and more accessible.”
Julie Duncan, Lithuania 2006
“To me, the core values of Learning Enterprises are respect for other cultures, the welcoming of learning, and the concept of pluralism- that instead of acculturation there is the mutual tolerance and respect of different cultures.”
Katrina Shankland, Mexico 2007
“LE is driven by a desire to connect individuals and groups of people under the premise of mutual respect and understanding. These connections are then the foundation for opening the eyes of volunteers and students to envision what can be done to make the world a better place.”
Margaret Lippett, Panama 2005
“In my eyes, LE has three core values that make it a unique and successful organization. One of these values is creativity. As an organization, LE was very creative in its beginning and still is in the fact that it is run by volunteers and mainly students. The teaching style of the volunteers is creative, unconventional, and ultimately more successful.”
Rory Birmingham, Mexico 2006
“I think one of the best aspects of the program is that volunteers only face minimal costs for their experience. This allows a whole different type of person to be able to volunteer; people who may have had great potential, but had been cut out due to financial restraints. I believe this goes right in hand with what I view as LE’s core values. LE is based on learning, understanding, and spirit. Learning is the core of the organization, understanding is what puts it in action, and spirit is what makes it a success.”
Kathy Rizzo, Indonesia 2006
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