OUR MODEL
All youth need a global network to help them activate their own global journeys through work and life. All schools need to prepare students for a world where global collaboration and cooperation is the norm. Combating the ignorance that breeds fear and intolerance begins with young people.
Reach the World transforms the energy of travelers into a learning resource for K-12 classrooms. Our programs use the web, messaging and video conferencing to connect youth with travelers through global, virtual exchanges. Our nationwide network of educators, travelers and volunteers are building a more thoughtful and welcoming society by sharing the eye-opening benefits of travel and exploration with the youth of today, who will be the decision-makers of tomorrow.
TRAVELER RECRUITMENT
We recruit volunteer travelers who are studying, working or exploring abroad through our dedicated partner organizations.
CLASSROOM MATCHING
We match each classroom with its own traveler, taking into account educator preferences, learning objectives and class demographics.
VIRTUAL EXCHANGE
Travelers share rich, tailored content with their classrooms and engage students directly through live video conferences and shared projects.
OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT
At the end of each cycle, educators track their students’ outcomes in geographic literacy, cultural competency and self-efficacy via our easy-to-use surveys and rubrics.
OUR IMPACT
Reach the World is inspiring youth to become curious, confident global citizens.
Each year, Reach the World connects hundreds of travelers with hundreds of classrooms in one-on-one global digital exchanges. Since 2009, Reach the World has served more than 30,000 youth, 1,600 travelers, and 1,000 volunteers. Together, our community has created more than 20,000 primary-source travel stories, chronicling daily life around the globe.
250
CLASSROOMS TO BE SERVED
250
TRAVELERS TO ENLIST, TRAIN AND DEPLOY
300
VOLUNTEER MENTORS TO ENGAGE
18K
TRAVEL STORIES TO BE SHARED ONLINE
7
STAFF ON THE TEAM
YOUTH
Youth who participate in Reach the World’s programs show advancements in self-efficacy, geographic literacy, interest in learning a foreign language, ability to connect schoolwork to future career pathways and empathy for foreign countries and cultures.
93%
of our middle school students express interest in attending college one day, like their traveler
81%
of students express interest in studying or working abroad one day, like their traveler
75%
of our elementary school students achieve statistically significant improvement in core geographic literacy
TRAVELERS
Reach the World’s travelers reflect deeply, continuously and purposefully during their journeys; engage in meaningful service; develop project management, networking and composition skills; and connect their journeys to future career pathways.
78%
reported that their RTW participation helped them connect with and learn from the local community in their abroad location
89%
reported that their RTW participation complemented their college major and supported their career aspirations
85%
reported that their RTW participation helped them build specific career skills
95%
reported that their RTW participation helped them reflect upon and process their abroad experience
86%
reported that they meaningfully contributed to their matched classroom through their RTW participation
VOLUNTEERS
Reach the World’s volunteers leverage professional skills and develop new ones; have positive personal experiences; and support their travelers as editors, hosts and mentors.
84%
reported that they positively contributed to their travelers’ journeys
66%
reported that they made a positive difference in their travelers’ lives
48%
reported that they developed new professional skills
87%
reported that serving Reach the World was a positive and meaningful personal experience
“From my own experience, coupled with the experiences of my classroom’s Reach the World travelers, I can pass on to my students a new, different perspective of the world around them.”
“[Reach the World] became a form of personal reflection that allowed me to critically analyze my new surroundings.”
“Thanks to Reach the World I now feel that one day I will travel around the world.”
“The change in perspective – looking at the world through the eyes of someone experiencing life in a very different way and for the very first time – makes for interesting and thought-provoking reading.”
Join Reach the World’s Community of Global Citizens
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