Travel - Perform - Impact: Your UWP Experience

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 Travel – Perform – Impact:

        Your UWP Experience

Twenty or more cities in each semester of the tour…experiencing different cultures…traveling to countries in at least two regions of the world…living with host families…living with cast members from around the world…and treasuring countless memories.  This is only a snapshot of the many ways to describe your Up with People experience.

These statements also describe a few of the many ways you will LEARN throughout the semester.  Your Up with People experience will be made up of thousands of everyday moments which all come together to provide you opportunity for a unique global education. 

In addition to these informal learning opportunities, you will also learn through your full participation in each of the following five structured program components:

Community Impact Projects & Community Partners

We engage in meaningful service that has lasting impact within the community.

We promote awareness of our partner organizations to others in the community.

We inspire the community to pull together and become involved.

Social responsibility and contribution to community are core elements of the Up with People program.  Participants are directly exposed to the social needs of the communities and have the opportunity to address those needs through Community Impact Days.

In each city you will engage in one or more Community Impact Projects, most often working directly with members of the community as well as other program participants.  Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Community clean-up
• School projects, elementary through secondary schools
• Working in hospitals or other care facilities
• Working with special needs groups, such as those who are terminally ill, disabled, underprivileged or homeless.
• Painting, building, improving, etc. buildings or other structures
• Outdoor projects impacting parks, trails
• Working in community facilities, such as churches, theatres, civic centers, etc.
• Volunteering with a local event or helping with a specific cause or urgent need.

Global Education & Professional Development

 We encourage students to exceed their perceived personal limits.

We enable participants to develop skills applicable to life and career after Up with People.

We develop the capacity for global leadership while emphasizing service and community impact.

You will participate in group educational seminars that focus on using creative and “hands on” educational techniques that work well with the variety of language skills and cultural differences which naturally exist within an Up with People cast.  The education curriculum includes readings, exercises, simulations, group discussions, reflective questions and team projects to enhance the overall learning experience. Trained staff facilitators and occasional guest lecturers deliver the educational program.

During your tour you will visit a variety of cities and towns.  In each location you’ll spend time learning about what makes the area culturally, politically, historically and socially unique and how each area is connected to other cities on the tour.

You will also learn about leadership and intercultural teamwork through hands-on implementation of key aspects of the program.  You can apply for a limited number of internships or special team projects based on your area of interest.  Internships can be in the areas of cast operations, marketing/promotion, education or performing arts.  Each internship or team project is led by a staff facilitator and you will focus on one internship area for a number of weeks, with positions rotated throughout the semester.  The skills you learn through internships can be directly applied to your future career.

Performing Arts

We use the show to celebrate the Up with People mission and that of our community partners.

We use the universal language of music and dance to inspire, energize and educate.

We integrate and tell the stories of our community partners during the show.

Up with People was founded on the principle of using music as a way to communicate, and music continues to be an important part of the experience ever since.  In each host community, the entire cast participates in the Up with People show which brings together the people of the community – host families, people connected to our Community Impact Projects, local sponsors, public officials, educators, student groups and other community members.

As an Up with People cast member you will participate in all aspects of a live touring production.  You will have the opportunity to learn technical theatre skills (equipment set up, lighting design, sound design, video production and costumes) and performance skills (vocal technique, fitness, dance and instrumental performance).

Other skills and qualities learned through the Performing Arts curriculum include public speaking, confidence, leadership, teamwork and professionalism and all will carry on with each participant long after their Up with People experience is concluded.

Many participants in the program have little or no performing experience prior to Up with People.  Every participant will learn the skills needed to perform the show for audiences all over the world. 

You may even find that expressing an emotion or a thought is easier when expressed through musical performance and many of your favorite experiences during the tour will be connected to audiences that see you and the entire cast performing the show.

International Participants

We broaden cultural understanding first within our groups by creating a diverse environment made up of participants from around the world.

We value diversity of thought, experience and culture among our participants.

We nurture and develop global citizenship among all of our participants.

Our participants are from all walks of life, from more than 15 countries and territories and from a variety of different backgrounds and professions.  The UWP staff members who will travel with you also reflect this diversity.  

A typical cast is made up of 70 – 90 participants and 14 – 16 staff representing nearly 20 countries, and within those countries a variety of regions.  We hope you are looking forward to sharing your unique background, culture and life experience with your group.  The make up of each touring cast is one of the most unique aspects of the Up with People program, unmatched by any other international education experience.

World Travel & Host Families

We travel to where we believe we can make a positive difference.

We aim for each tour to visit both developed and developing communities.

We increase cultural understanding and awareness by staying with local host families.

In each city you visit on your tour, you will stay with a host family.  You will have on average 20 – 25 host families during your semester and may at times be hosted on your own, or hosted with other program participants.  You will enjoy most of your meals with your host families and time is set aside in the schedule each week for you to spend time with the family building relationships, learning from and enjoying the experience of getting to know your hosts.

The opportunity to live with community members in their homes offers an unparalleled level of cultural immersion and a unique opportunity for international friendships – many of which will last a lifetime.  Year after year, this proves to be one of the most impactful components of the Up with People experience.