In the summer after their first year, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service students compete their International Public Service Projects (IPSP).
The IPSP is designed to provide a hands-on experience for students at an agency that is located overseas or has a global mission to its work within the United States. The IPSP provides students the opportunity to experience public service well outside their previous acquaintance, stretching their boundaries of existing knowledge and skills. The projects also allow students to participate in the daily activities of a public service agency, serving as an integral member of the agency staff.
The region in which most students conducted their projects was Africa with 33% of projects, followed by Central America/The Caribbean and Europe with 21% and 14%, respectively. Belize and Tanzania both had five projects over the summer.
“The international public service project is one of the most unique aspects of the Clinton School’s MPS curriculum, said James Mitchell, assistant director of International Programs. “Each year, we send our students to countries all over the globe to put their training into practice. These projects create immersive cross-cultural experiences where students exhibit leadership and solve problems in a real-world context.”
Organizational development/community building remains the most popular IPSP focus area with 17%, followed closely by education, youth programs, and economic development with 16%, 11% and 11%, respectively.
All students select their own international project that builds on the knowledge and skills they have gained in their first two semesters at the Clinton School, along with learning acquired from their prior academic and public service experiences. Students spend the spring semester researching and developing a project plan before their projects begin. The project plan is approved by the faculty and the partner organization before it is implemented over 10 weeks during the summer term.
“Evaluation data collected from both host community and past students indicate that the IPSP is a transformative experience,” Mitchell said.
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