It all started with a friendship. Then a phone call.

"Do you want to go to Thailand?" To which the answer was a firm, "Yes!"

Then came the How.

Volunteer abroad! Of course!

And there we were, amidst the locals of southern Thailand, teaching English and working with an hospital, and traveling about on the weekends. Having an experience of a lifetime filled with inspiration and new experience and culture. Anything we could have wished for and more.

As the founders of International Programs Inc., we thought it necessary to provide an opportunity for inidividuals to be able to see the world, while helping a community, for a reasonable program fee. Having a background in volunteering at leadership focus groups here in the States, as well as volunteering in Thailand and Mexico, we saw what needed to be fixed with other similar programs and came up with a comprehensive program perfect for like-minded individuals. We're always trying to expand our own minds, and we could think of no better way than to share it with others.

We've traveled all over the world, and now we want to open doors for others the way they were opened for us.

We're a small not-for-profit group based near Chicago, IL, who believe that the world's boundaries should not be such obstacles. We know that the wisdom gained through travel is life-changing. Its positive influence has helped us gain new perspectives which will be with us for the rest of our lives, and that is what we want to share