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The GREEN Program (TGP) offers short-term transformative educational experiences that go beyond traditional classroom learning by providing participants with immersive opportunities for sustainable development in diverse global settings. TGP’s approach to sustainability education is notable, in that it draws on multiple High-Impact Practices. Below we outline key priorities of The GREEN Program’s curricula, their alignment with specific High-Impact Practices, and how, by supporting the development of global citizenship and cross-cultural competencies, they equip participants to address pressing global challenges and thrive in an interconnected world.
Incorporation of High-Impact Practices
- Diversity & Global Learning: The GREEN Program places a strong emphasis on diversity and global learning, prioritizing the exploration of cultures, life experiences, and worldviews different from one’s own. TGP’s curricula, which incorporate culturally immersive experiences and sustained engagement with the local community, are designed with particular attention to issues relating to diversity, including racial, ethnic, gender equity, and the struggle for human rights. By promoting deeper understanding of global issues and diverse perspectives, they prepare participants to navigate and contribute to an increasingly interconnected and diverse global society.
- Service Learning, Community-Based Learning: The GREEN Program offers a wide array of field-based experiential learning opportunities that are community-focused and may include service-learning projects. Our model of community-based learning offers participants the opportunity to learn first-hand in a real-world setting the challenges and successes local communities have encountered in implementing sustainable solutions. Working directly with communities enriches one’s understanding of the subject matter, promotes the development of practical skills, and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for the environment and our global community.
- Collaborative Assignments & Capstone Projects: On every TGP program, participants complete a skills-based, solutions-focused, community-centric project called a Capstone, the purpose of which is to equip them with the ability to drive positive change on a global scale. Participants representing an array of academic disciplines and interests work in tandem using design-thinking concepts to devise a solution to a sustainability-related problem. Together they will conduct research on the issue, draw on their learnings from classroom lectures and the field, and design a solution that can be implemented after the program concludes. The Capstone Project focuses on skills such as problem-solving, critical reasoning, collaboration and interpersonal communication, public speaking, and entrepreneurship, all while stressing the importance of diverse perspectives and ethical decision-making.
- ePortfolios: The GREEN Program provides participants with career-focused opportunities and tools for showcasing their learning with potential employers. Participant Capstone Projects are electronically stored on The GREEN Program’s website and are publicly accessible. Post-program, TGP offers a broad array of career-related support and resources, including guidance on how to leverage their program experience and Capstone Projects in job and grad school interviews.
Impact Assessment
The effectiveness of TGP’s programs in meeting High-Impact Practices can be assessed through various outcome measures, including participant engagement, learning gains, and post-program impact. Surveys, interviews, and longitudinal studies have been utilized to evaluate the impact of TGP experiences on participants’ academic and personal development, as well as their career readiness and commitment to sustainability. A study conducted by Uppsala University found that “95% of TGP students experience a sustainability-related shift with an increase in awareness and consciousness of personal impacts, personal exchange, and expertise in sustainability issues.” Further insights on the long and short-term impacts of international education for sustainable development, with The GREEN Program as a case study, can be found HERE.
Key Priorities
A leading organization in global sustainability education, The GREEN Program is dedicated to building a future sustainability workforce that is diverse and empowered to drive positive change on a global scale. The following is a description of the core principles that inform every aspect of our work:
- Expanding Global Reach and Impact: In order to expand the global reach of our sustainability education programs, TGP has forged strategic partnerships with universities, corporations, NGOs, and industry leaders worldwide. It is through partnerships that we make transformational educational experiences accessible to the broadest spectrum of learners possible.
- Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: The GREEN Program recognizes the vital importance of diversity and inclusivity when it comes to sustainability education. We actively seek to prioritize diversity to increase access to our programs for participants from diverse backgrounds, underrepresented communities, and developing world regions. We foster inclusivity to create a vibrant learning environment that enriches the perspectives, opportunities, and experiences of all participants.
- Fostering Academic Excellence and Innovation: The GREEN Program is committed to continuously improving its curriculum and participant learning outcomes so that participants are well-equipped to tackle real-world challenges. By working with leading experts in sustainability and environmental science we strive to ensure that our programs remain at the forefront of developments in the field of sustainability.
- Championing Sustainable Practices: The GREEN Program adopts sustainable practices in all its operations. In all locations in which our programs operate, we strive to reduce our environmental impact, support local communities, and engage in responsible tourism. We hope that by leading by example we inspire participants to adopt sustainable practices in their own personal and professional lives.
- Empowering Workforce Development for Sustainability: TGP works to ensure that participants of all majors have the opportunity to pursue meaningful careers in sustainable development. Our commitment to workforce development also stems from the recognition that leaders with the knowledge, practical skills, and experience are instrumental in advancing the push for sustainability in their industries and institutions. Upon completing their TGP program, alums gain access to a host of resources, including individual assistance with their sustainability job search.
- Building a Supportive and Engaged Community: One of our greatest goals is to nurture a supportive, enduring, closely connected community of globally informed, sustainability-minded students and working professionals. To that end, we offer a wide array of professional development resources and opportunities for alumni, partners, and other stakeholders. Our community-driven approach ensures that the impact of our programs for alums continues long after their program ends.
Conclusion
The GREEN Program demonstrates strong alignment with High-Impact Practices in higher education through its emphasis on experiential learning, global engagement, and community engagement. By providing participants with transformative educational experiences, TGP contributes to the holistic development of participants and prepares them to address complex sustainability challenges in a real-world environment.
Recommendations
Further research and evaluation efforts should be undertaken to systematically assess the long-term impact of global experiences on participants’ academic and career development. Additionally, collaboration with academic institutions to integrate The GREEN Program’s experiences into curricular and co-curricular activities can enhance the sustainability and scalability of its impact.
This article serves to highlight the value of The GREEN Program as a provider of high-impact educational experiences, and it encourages continued exploration and assessment of its contributions to the success and holistic development of participants.
