Global Reach

Partners on five continents

Since our founding in 2002, we have reached more than 15,000 students in the U.S. and abroad. We have worked on five continents – North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia – and in five languages:  Arabic, English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, and English-as-a-Second Language. 

Our first partnership was with Beijing.  Our current country partners are Antigua, China, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Spain and Tanzania.

In previous years we have partnered with Colombia, Egypt, England, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Palestine and Taiwan.

Impact of the Program

A study by the University of Chicago’s Harris School for Public Policy showed that Global Voices students developed a greater sense of tolerance and saw fewer differences between themselves and their sister students. Teachers reported increased class participation and said that the program motivated students to learn the foreign language at a faster pace.

But perhaps the impact of the program is best heard in the voices of our students. A sampling:

“I learned that we are different nationalities but we have a lot in common. That kind of knowledge is power.”

Student in Arabic, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago

“Before Global Voices the only way we had to learn about Americans was from the movies and the internet. Now we have a way to learn firsthand what American students are really like.”

Student in Casablanca, Morocco

“Global Voices is important because it changes what we think of each other.”

Student in Amman, Jordan