Connecting Student Language Immersion, Cross-Cultural Volunteerism

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN (September 8, 2009)

Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE), a leading provider of educational language immersion travel, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Global Citizens Network (GCN), a nonprofit provider of cross-cultural volunteer expeditions.

The partnership, effective September 1, 2009, will benefit these complementary and compatible nonprofits in numerous ways. Sharing resources will drive synergies and efficiencies that enable the organizations to further their respective missions. ISE participants will have the ability to take advantage of new programming to include cross-cultural immersion and international community development, while GCN gains access to a broader volunteer base. Ultimately, the partnership will provide greater resources and visibility to both organizations.

While Intercultural Student Experiences and Global Citizens Network will work cooperatively to advance and promote each other's missions, the nonprofits will maintain independent identities, boards and agendas.

Since 1972, more than 90,000 individuals from over 30 states have participated in language-based cross-cultural learning experiences through the nonprofit Intercultural Student Experiences (ISE). ISE educational travel programs emphasize cultural and language immersion, combining sightseeing with local family stays. ISE currently offers programs to nine countries worldwide for students learning Spanish, French, German or Mandarin. To learn more, visit www.isemn.org.

Global Citizens Network (GCN) is a nonprofit organization that has facilitated short-term, cross-cultural volunteer expeditions around the world since 1992. Participants immerse themselves in an indigenous community's culture and daily life, while partnering with a local grassroots organization to assist with locally led community development projects. GCN currently partners with 17 different communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, U.S. Native American reservations and Canada. GCN has been recommended by National Geographic,Budget Travel,The New York Times, NEED andOprah Magazines as "One of the Best Volunteer Experiences." To learn more, visit www.globalcitizens.org.

Contact:
Cindy Murphy Kelley
Executive Director, ISE & GCN
952.746.2290
cindy@isemn.org