International Public Service Project

The International Public Service Project (IPSP), which is supported by a stipend, is an individual, 8-week experience in the summer term.

Students can tap into the Clinton School’s extensive network of overseas partnerships. Students have served in 100 countries across six continents, as well as stateside with organizations that have a global mission.

Below are examples of International Public Service Projects and their impact across the world.

For organizations who are interested in partnering with the Clinton School on an International Public Service Project, please see the IPSP Partnerships page.

All Children Read (Asociația Toți Copiii Citesc)

Empowering Family Literacy and Parent Engagement in Romania

Daisy Vasquez Guevara partnered with the Asociația Toți Copiii Citesc (ATCC) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, to bridge a critical gap in community literacy. Her project focused on designing an intervention framework specifically for parents with low literacy levels, providing them with the tools and confidence to support their children’s reading development.

What began as a conceptual idea was transformed into a tangible program over the course of eight weeks. Vasquez Guevara developed a comprehensive suite of materials, including a flexible program protocol, facilitator training guides, and assessment tools. By introducing the organization to logic models and structured program planning, she ensured the intervention was grounded in measurable outcomes. ATCC implemented this new framework in their community workshops starting in the fall of 2026.

Daisy Vasquez Guevara (’26)

“My project went from being an idea on a sticky note to something that became tangible in just six months. I was able to come in, listen to them and their needs, and create something real that they will implement in the next year. I am excited that the families will get the best use out of this project.”

Association of Play Therapy Kenya

Developing Emergency Response Frameworks for Youth in Kenya

Terri Thomas, a concurrent Master of Public Service/Master of Social Work graduate, partnered with the Association of Play Therapy Kenya (APTK) in Nairobi to address the specialized needs of children during crises. Thomas developed a comprehensive four-phase emergency response framework designed to guide mental health professionals from initial triage through long-term community recovery.

The framework integrates trauma-informed care and support into Kenya’s broader disaster response ecosystem. Key components include child-led preparedness activities, the use of mobile play therapy units for immediate intervention, and long-term community reintegration strategies. Thomas’s work culminated in a presentation at a professional symposium, providing the foundational data for a future toolkit that includes referral pathways and trauma-informed checklists for Kenyan counselors and psychologists.

Terri Thomas (’26)

“I felt like I was utilizing all the skills I learned during my Practicum project. Anything I learned in my research methods, statistics, and data analysis classes really came in handy during this project. I was researching how APTK can plug in and work together with all the resources available for children when a disaster strikes. I hope this research in the play therapy realm will set me apart as I continue this work in the United States and eventually pursue my doctorate.”

Bridge2Rwanda

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Rwanda

Coleen Ndedi Ntepe partnered with the nonprofit Bridge2Rwanda (B2R) Farms in Kigali, Rwanda, to support a long-term research project focused on conservation agriculture. B2R Farms works to stabilize the lives of small-holder farmers by training them in modern techniques—such as reduced tilling and optimized irrigation—designed to increase crop production while reducing labor intensity.

Ndedi Ntepe developed a comprehensive, 40-page program evaluation plan for the initiative. Her work included a detailed literature review, a logic model, and an indicator chart to help the organization quantify how these sustainable farming practices impact the economic and personal lives of local Rwandan farmers. By reducing the time required for manual labor, the program aims to free up family members to pursue additional income and educational opportunities.

Coleen Ndedi Ntepe (’26)

“Everything from my program evaluation class was useful. By creating this evaluation, we wanted to provide a quantifiable result of why this new technique is working. I wasn’t just creating data; I was putting into words the impact of what they were doing on the ground. My experience in Rwanda helped me realize that this is a career avenue I want to pursue.”

Efecto Arena

Evaluating Marine Conservation and Coral Restoration in Mexico

Jalen Humphreys, a student with a background in biochemistry and sustainability, partnered with Efecto Arena in La Paz, Mexico, to support the protection and restoration of coral reefs in the Gulf of California. Humphreys served as a Research Intern, focused on assessing the efficacy of the organization’s community educational workshops.

To support the nonprofit’s mission, Humphreys designed a program evaluation featuring tailored surveys for both child and adult participants. His research moved beyond measuring basic fact retention to determine if the workshops successfully fostered long-term environmental stewardship. Additionally, he developed a volunteer outreach and recruitment plan to help the organization maintain consistent community engagement year-round. His project culminated in hands-on conservation work, where he applied his findings while assisting in the physical transplantation of restored coral fragments to the ocean floor.

Jalen Humphreys (’26)

“My project was about seeing if the workshops are truly effective in helping kids and adults understand what a coral reef is and how to protect it. If you really engage with the community, you can leave a lasting impact with the people you meet. For me, that was the most memorable and transformational part of the work I did. I couldn’t have wished for a better experience.”

Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo

Supporting Executive Diplomacy and Global Peace Initiatives

Jack Stokes partnered with the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo in Prishtina through a placement facilitated by Isla Internships Abroad. Serving within the executive branch of one of the world’s youngest democracies, Stokes worked directly under the Chief of Staff to President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. His role required high-level adaptability, ranging from drafting international correspondence to conducting research on global policy issues.

A cornerstone of his project was the coordination and execution of the 2025 Forum on Women, Peace, and Security, an international event hosting over 1,000 participants from 45 countries. Stokes managed diplomatic greetings for foreign envoys and co-authored the official 30-page Outcome Paper, documenting the forum’s high-level sessions on protecting vulnerable populations in conflict zones. His work helped strengthen the office’s capacity to engage with international dignitaries and NATO partners while honoring the nation’s commitment to peace and security.

Jack Stokes (’26)

“You learn a lot about loyalty to the Office of the President and the pride people take in serving their country. I had the opportunity to send high-level correspondence and engage in discussions with international dignitaries. Meeting new people and building those connections was the best part of the summer. When someone has done work outside the parameters of their own country, it is an invaluable asset.”

The Unique Foundation

Expanding Educational Access and Fundraising Capacity in Africa

Davis Bunn partnered with The Unique Foundation in Serrekunda, The Gambia, to strengthen the organization’s library initiatives for vulnerable youth and underserved communities. As the first Clinton School student to serve this West African education charity in person, Bunn focused on building the foundation’s long-term capacity for growth through strategic funding development.

Bunn’s work involved conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to identify target communities for the foundation’s Mobile and Classroom Library programs. To streamline future outreach, he created a centralized grant application document that serves as a permanent institutional reference for the staff. His efforts in grant writing and digital infrastructure updates provided the foundation with the tools necessary to seek out global funding opportunities more effectively, ensuring the organization’s library projects can continue to provide essential reading materials and furniture to local schools.

Davis Bunn (’26)

“The main thing I did was increase their capacity to fundraise. The consolidated funding document I created will help them seek out additional opportunities long after my time there. I expanded my skills in intercultural communication. Life is very different in West Africa compared to the United States, and this project was a wonderful opportunity to meet and work with people from different walks of life. I appreciate the connections I made and the chance to see education policy in action on a global scale.”