Student Diplomacy Corps

Student Centered.  Scholarship Driven.

Igniting intellectual curiosity, raising expectations and buiilding global competence, the Student Diplomacy Corps (SDC) promotes college readiness through international education.  Our mission is to engage low income high school students in programs that build tenacity, independent living skills, academic confidence and the tools to succeed in college and our interconnected global community.

Educational Parternships.  SDC develops sustainable partnerships with schools and mentoring organizations that provide enrichment opportunities for underserved students. 

College Preparedness.  Before students leave on SDC programs, they complete written applications, interviews, and pre-departure workshops that closely parallel the college application process.  During summer 2015, 144 Student Diplomats from 83 high schools across the United States prepared 369 personal statements and essays that serve as models for college and scholarship applications.

Programs and Projects.   Month-long SDC programs engage students in scholar-led seminars exploring anthropology, archaeology, architecture, art history, biodiversity, culinary arts, ethnomusicology, and environmental sustainability. During summer 2015, 15 SDC groups engaged in 75 days of seminars in Chile, China, Croatia, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay. Participants also lived with local families to enhance cross-cultural competencies, improve language skills, and develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the host culture.

Impact.  Students return poised and inspired to explore new heights in their academic careers.  All 2014-2015 SDC alumni have applied or are preparing to apply to four-year colleges and 20 have earned prestigious full tuition scholarships through the Posse Foundation and Questbridge.  By the end of the Student Diplomacy Corps experience, all students:

 - Develop and hone writing and interview skills to prepare for the college application process.

- Build communication, independent living and critical inquiry skills through college level liberal arts seminars.

- Adjust, adapt, and become enriched by the cultures of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

- Explore thematic issues in anthropology, the arts, ecology, urban studies and sustainability.

Your Support.  Our students, Corps Leaders, parents, mentors, and overseas program partners are grateful for your generous financial contribution.  The Student Diplomacy Corps is ready to make 2016 an even stronger year.  We hope you will join us to invest in international education programs that ignite intellectual curiosity, raise expectations and create a world of new possibilities for the remarkable young people we serve.