United Planet

My son was 28 years old and traveled frequently. He paid $6000.00 to volunteer through United Planet. He was dismissed from the program for missing an 8PM curfew by ACI the cooperating company of United Planet in San Jose Costa Rica. I received a phone call from the person in charge for United Planet for long term volunteers. I was told he had been dismissed for breaking an 8PM curfew. My 1st question was “Do you know where he is?” This person replied she had NO Idea where he was which was according to ACI she was already informed he had been moved to a different Hostel. Total Lie according to ACI. We later found out that the reason there was an 8PM curfew was due to the FACT that he had been placed in what is called “The Red Zone” in San Jose. After speaking to the head of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose that U.S. government officials are forbidden from being in that area due to the crime in that area. Even US DEA Agents are forbidden to enter the aria. At the request of the U.S. Embassy I was asked to give a talk at the Embassy with many government officials from Costa Rica. I was informed my 2.5 meeting changed many policies wherever there is a U.S. embassy. Later the founder of United Planet called me and offered to give a 2 week free trip to a student in memory of my son. Quote “It would be a Win Win for United Planet and my family.”My son passed away after he had been dismissed. You can’t even imagine the rage I experienced from that statement. I later filed a complaint with the Attorney General of Massachusetts which was denied. I was told they did not have the resources for something this big
so I contacted Senator Mitch McConnell and met with his foreign affairs director for 1.5 hours in Washington DC in Senator McConnell’s office. Myself and 2 Attorneys had drafted Legislation to require these non profit organizations to place a link to the U.S. travel site “Travel.state.gov” on every page of their website which was also denied due to the fact we were told it would be impossible to get it approved through Congress. Our complaint was sent to the Federal Trade Commission which was also declined due to the fact they responded it was really legislation. I then met with Congressman John Yarmouth who put us in touch with the office is of the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. We created a new tab on travel.state.gov which is called US volunteers abroad. This gives volunteers valuable information of crime in the location you are volunteering in which my son did not have access to. There is so much more to this story it could literally be a book or movie. So I strongly recommend if you or your young adult family are considering volunteering, do your homework. If you would like further information you can contact me directly.
I was out of town when I received this call from United Planet. I flew back to Louisville KY met my oldest son who had prepared a small back pack of clothes and had purchased a blackberry phone that would work in San Jose. I literally ran to catch the next flight to San Jose not knowing where my son was, did not speak Spanish and was at a loss of how to find him when all the while United Planet knew exactly where he was according to ACI. I traveled to Costa Rica 5 times to research my son’s death and Washington DC twice and had countless meetings in Louisville KY with Attorneys and stayed in touch with our Congressman.
I would not trust these people with anything they have to say.
If you question the validity of this statement it is all documented and you can feel free to reach out to me.
Steve Priest
Louisville KY.
502-297-1020
Stevep751@gmail.com

Developing Cultural Diplomacy Through Lived Experience: the Value of United Planet Learning Experiences

United Planet is an organization that activates principles and practices of relational diplomacy, partnership theory, and best practices that support successful international service-learning experiences. Participants in United Planet programs and services weaves a web of relationships among people to create bridges of understanding, partnership and friendship at various social levels. Interconnectivity based on mutual understanding transforms fear of other into acceptance of other. Acceptance and understanding in a relational constellation leads to peaceful insights, actions, and behavior and the development of personal and professional leadership capacities.
Daniel Pesut
Member International Advisory Bord 2014-2022

As a present-day United Planet International Board of Advisors member, I can say without
reservation that this nonprofit organization, in terms of international volunteering, has
done an incredible amount of good in the world over the past 24 years. And I feel
fortunate that I have had the opportunity of experiencing this fact firsthand. Prior to
joining the Board, I was the United Planet Coordinator for volunteers in Chile,
coordinating almost 200 volunteers’ work projects and homestays since the first UP
volunteer arrived in 2005. Perhaps the best way to describe what volunteers gained
from their typical 2 to 10-week volunteering experience is simply to say that they left
Chile a very different person than when they arrived. They bonded with their Chilean
families, adapted to a new culture, learned and shared experiences mostly in the area
of teaching, and visited spectacular sites.
Paul Edward Fischer
Santiago, Chile

Having spent my entire career in the nonprofit sector, including service on a number of nonprofit boards of directors, I am proud to be a United Planet board member. United Planet's unique and compelling mission is needed more than ever today. We are all global citizens in a shrinking and interdependent world, in which we all have more in common than what divides us. United Planet's volunteer travel quests and virtual classroom exchange programs bridge different cultures, one relationship at a time. Our programs span the globe and touch citizens in many countries, changing lives by opening hearts and minds to learn from, value and befriend others whom we meet along the way. A philanthropic investment in United Planet will not only feel good but make a lasting difference, so I encourage people to get involved with this wonderful organization.

Can you imagine a world where everyone thought of themselves as a global citizen? With this global citizen mindset, everyone would decide it made sense to work together to make the planet as peaceful and the ecosystems as sustainable as possible. Is this purely a dream?! NO! United Planet has been around for decades working to unite the world one relationship at a time through the concept of "Relational Diplomacy" created by our Founder, Dave Santulli. United Planet offers opportunities to travel abroad, but to learn and contribute while you are there. You step into the shoes of a global citizen and become part of the local culture. Experiential project learning is at the heart of everything we do at United Planet. I personally love helping out Mr. Oudou Sanogo of United Planet who is at the center of creating project based learning for global students, even while they are school age and home with their families. He does this through our Unite All Schools initiative which brings together students into Learning Circles to create projects and share presenting them with their peers in other countries. As a Board member, I was invited to witness one of these Circles final presentations and learned about bullying and social media from Finland, creating mangrove forests to prevent shoreline erosion in Tanzania, and much more! We are lean and devoted. Everyone who is connected to United Planet is there because they believe in the mission and they believe that a United Planet is possible if we all do our part! I am immensely proud to be a Board member. I am happy to talk with you more if you have any questions about United Planet.

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As a proud Board member of United Planet, I continue to be inspired by the extraordinary dedication and compassion of our team — from staff and interns to global partners. Their unwavering commitment to uplifting youth around the world is truly remarkable. It’s a privilege to support an organization where empathy and professionalism go hand in hand, and where every action reflects the belief that while our stories may differ, our hopes and dreams resonate in harmony

It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of their internship program. I got matched with AGE (Action for Girls Empowerment in Liberia). I learned a lot about gender inequality there and got to use my skills to make a difference.

Traveling to Nepal with United Planet was one of the most meaningful and impactful experiences I’ve had. As someone who works in global education, I’ve seen many programs—but being on the ground in Nepal brought United Planet’s mission to life in a powerful way.

The trip was incredibly well-organized, culturally immersive, and deeply human. We engaged with children through art, play, and presence—building connections that transcended language. United Planet’s local partnerships and commitment to ethical, community-centered service made all the difference.

This wasn’t just a volunteer trip. It was a journey in empathy, global citizenship, and shared growth. I can’t recommend United Planet highly enough to educators, students, and anyone looking to make a real difference through service learning.

As a donor and supporter of United Planet, I am continually inspired by the organization's unwavering commitment to global citizenship, service-learning, and cross-cultural exchange. United Planet fosters transformative experiences that bridge cultures, cultivate understanding, and drive meaningful impact. Participants emerge with a deepened global perspective, equipped to create lasting change in their communities. I have seen firsthand how United Planet’s initiatives uplift local organizations and connect passionate individuals with critical projects across the world. United Planet is dedicated to ethical service, ensuring that every program is designed with sustainability and reciprocity at its core.
Supporting United Planet means investing in a future where collaboration transcends borders, where empathy drives action, and where people of all backgrounds can work together to tackle global challenges. I am proud to contribute to their mission and look forward to seeing the incredible impact they continue to make.

As a proud Board member of United Planet, I am continually inspired by the dedication and compassion of our team members, interns, partners and also the entire Board leadership team. Their unwavering commitment to uplifting young people around the world is truly exceptional. Knowing that our team makes a meaningful impact—transforming lives and fostering unity across cultures—fills me with immense pride. Though we all have our own stories to tell, we share the same melody of hope, connection, and empowerment.

I had a wonderful experience with United Planet on my volunteer year. I was abroad in New Zealand and the support I had received from United Planet was impeccable. At 18 years old I left for my first time abroad, and United Planet made sure they could support throughout every step of the way. Before departure the origination made it as easy as possible to prepare to leave, assisting in any paperwork and visa needed before leaving the country. They gave contact information of other Americas also going to New Zealand so I could get in contact with them prior to arriving. Upon arrival United planet kept regular check ins making sure they could help in any way possible. I felt United Planet was there the whole time and felt completely safe because of the support provided.

Interning with this organization was an incredible experience that allowed me to learn more about collaboration and current affairs.

I had a good experience with United Planet. Volunteering at Soy Callejerito dog rescue in Cusco was incredibly rewarding. Maite, the owner, is devoted to caring for over 100 dogs, providing them with food, comfort, and love every day. If you love dogs, I highly recommend volunteering at Soy Callejerito Refugio Privado de Perritos in Cusco. They are in need of volunteers!

The program also immersed me in the rich culture and stunning landscapes of the Andes. I stayed with a wonderful host family, received personalized Spanish lessons, and enjoyed tours of the city, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Traveling alone was empowering, and I felt I made a real difference. United Planet offers a truly meaningful volunteer experience, with support along the way.

My journey with United Planet was truly unique and unforgettable. In 2023, I embarked on a seven-month Virtual Volunteer Internship, partnering with an exceptional host organization in Ghana. As a teacher’s assistant, I was able to contribute to the local community in a meaningful way. The support I received from my international program coordinator was unparalleled. She not only listened to my needs but also tailored my virtual internship to the skills and experience I had. The opportunity to choose my internship project from a diverse range of organizations in different countries was a testament to the vast global reach of United Planet.

The best part of the internship was helping the Ghana nonprofit and the kids they serve daily. Doing the virtual internship with United Planet was life-changing for me, and it helped me discover my true passion for helping others on a global scale. The virtual internship helped me gain incredible work experience, which I would never have had the opportunity to achieve without the help of United Planet! Working with the people and the organization in Ghana made me so happy, and I felt fulfilled that I was making a difference even though I was halfway around the world from Ghana.

If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity, whether abroad or virtually, look no further than United Planet. The experience will change your life and give you a new, profound perspective on life. Doing the virtual internship with the host project in Ghana was the best thing I did in 2023. I highly encourage anyone seeking an adventurous volunteer opportunity to join United Planet and make the world a better place one Quest at a time!

I traveled with United Planet this past May to Rome, Italy and had a great experience! The founder, Dave, traveled with us and made sure every aspect of the trip and our service was well planned and prepared. Our on the ground supports, Elissa, Lieke, Shiva, and others were all so kind and helpful. I am so glad to have had the chance to experience local Roman communities and meet such genuine and interesting people through our service activities!

I have had the great pleasure to travel and volunteer with United Planet on three service learning trips, two to Nepal (2016 & 2018) and one recently in May to Rome, Italy. My experience has been nothing but positive. These quests have been highlights of both my personal life and teaching experiences. The staff was attentive, responsive, and developed unique and meaningful experiences for our students , volunteers, and faculty. Additionally, the individuals supporting us in country were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I hope to travel and volunteer with United Planet again in the future. I look forward to continuing my relationship with this nonprofit organization.

United Planet offers incredibly unique opportunities that foster cross-cultural learning and collaboration. I have been fortunate to collaborate with United Planet for a number of years, and I am consistently amazed by the learning, growth, and development of students, faculty, and all team members during the team projects.

United Planet is an exceptional nonprofit, with a mission to sow the seeds of peace through creating relationships across borders.

United Planet is coming up on its 21st Anniversary (November 19, 2022). For more than 20 years this nonprofit has been making a difference in communities in over 70 countries through volunteering abroad, virtual volunteering, virtual classroom exchanges, and educational programs. This impact is realized not only in the communities where specific volunteer projects have been completed, but also (aligned with the primary mission) in building cross-cultural relationships that cannot be measured because each individual relationship that is made ripples throughout the communities of both the hosts of volunteers and the volunteers that return to their home countries and share their life-changing experiences with the people they know.

I have had the please of working with united planet for the past 15 years, in a variety of roles, including consultant, volunteer advisor, and stepping in to help where needed. Dave Santulli, the founder & president of UP is inspirational in his leadership and mission. And the team at United Planet is both talented and passionate.

United Planet delivers on what it's mission!! Student's experiences are outstanding and provide excellent learning opportunities.

Serving as a board member at United Planet has given me the opportunity to work with a fantastic team to make a positive change in the world. The organization's mission is more critical now than ever, and the challenges that are being tackled are both meaningful and motivating. I am grateful that I have had the chance to be part of such a talented group of people working on such amazing projects.

they really good with communication, and it is a great way to see and work for people in other country if you can't go aboard you can do virtually

United Planet ensures your contributions are going to legitimate projects all around the world. It can take so much legwork to investigate non-profits before donating or volunteering but United Planet does all the vetting and pairs volunteers with projects that best suit their interests and skills. If you are looking for a way to make a valuable impact, let United Planet plan your Quest.

I volunteered with United Planet in more than one country… They have an experienced and supportive team that stood by me every step of the way!

United Planet supports ethical and responsible global community engagement and volunteerism for students and professionals. As a veteran higher education global education leader, United Planet facilitates the highest standards of mutually beneficial cultural exchange, whereby local concerns and local control are always at the forefront of consideration. I give United Planet my highest recommendation for engaging college and university students in challenging, meaningful, and life-changing real-world experiences.

I had such an amazing volunteering experience with United Planet. They provided me with the best program for me while I volunteered in Peru. If you are interested in volunteering abroad, I strongly suggest that you look into going through United Planet. Volunteering abroad with United Planet was one of the best decisions that I've made!

As a Board member of United Planet, I can say without reservation that our leadership team, employees, interns, and partners are among the most caring, capable, and professional people I know. Their capacity to give of themselves to empower the world's youth is unparalleled. It fills me with pride knowing our team touches so many lives and spreads the important message that in the song of life, our lyrics are different, but our melodies are the same.

Prior to my departure, the United Planet (UP) staff helped me tremendously to make sure my time in Ghana would go smoothly. While in Ghana, I worked at Volta Regional Hospital where I met ( and still keep in contact with) the incredible staff. Everyone there was so welcoming, it truly felt like home. After spending 8 weeks in the Emergency Ward, it pained me so much to leave. I learned how to dress wounds, take vitals, set IV lines and so much more. As I left the hospital, saying goodbye to Auntie Mercy (my host family) was extremely tough. I experienced so much while during my stay at her house. I was fortunate enough to witness a traditional wedding and engagement. Our excursions included going to the waterfalls and monkey sanctuary. I truly can't wait to go back to Ghana! Even though I have my family in the USA, I also have a family in Ghana.

I've participated in one United Planet summer program twice. I loved the program I participated in and I'd love to do more of the many volunteer programs United Planet has!

I felt very comfortable with this organization. Before my program began, I wasn't nervous or anxious about anything regarding safety or other logistics. My main concerns were of a lesser nature, such as "I hope all the other volunteers like me!" United Planet prepared me very well. They include traveler's insurance, pre-departure sessions, and frequent check-ins to ensure that everything on the trip is going well. I can only speak for the program I did (China Summer -- EVERYONE SHOULD DO IT), I was very pleased by our advisors who accompanied us throughout the entirety of the trip. They were very friendly and helpful, as I was not afraid to ask them any sort of questions. My program was mostly for high school students as well, and I think that United Planet did a fantastic job of keeping our parents in the loop. The United Planet staff is also very accessible and are easily reachable at any time. I had no real concerns before, during, or after the trip, and I could enjoy my trip without worrying about anything!

As far as the program goes, I am very pleased. I had the greatest summers of my life with my United Planet program, and I'm so excited to do more in the future! I'm very grateful for United Planet in giving me the opportunity to participate and volunteer in so many wonderful programs. I am only in high school, and so I do not have that much experience with other nonprofit volunteer organizations, but I can say that United Planet has made my volunteer expectations very high!

My experience with United Planet was marvelous. I arrived in Peru with no idea what to expect. Although the pre-departure sessions and all my back and forth with staff had been extensive and gratefully appreciated, nothing can prepare you for landing alone in a third world airport at the un-travelled age of 17. I will admit I was slightly panicky, and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I met my host family and started to feel a little more settled after having a home base at both my Spanish school and my home-stay. Once the shock wore off, my adventure really began. I have always been bothered by people who come back from life changing experiences and simply say "it can not be put into words", but I am beginning to understand where they are coming from. None the less, I am going to do my best and try to paint a picture of my time away from home.

I have made some of the best memories during my quest, and my stay in Peru was and always will be a monumental time in my life. I feel that I made a real difference in the lives of the children in my project, and I can say without a doubt that they had (and are continuing to have)a huge impact in mine. I felt immersed in the culture and lives of the Peruvian families. My excursion to Machupicchu was an amazing and spiritually enhancing experience. I will forever cherish the memories of my day at the monumental Inkan ruins. My overall experience on my United Planet quest to Peru was everything I had hoped for and more. I will have these memories for the rest of my life, and would recommend United Planet to anyone looking for life changing volunteer experience.

I participated in the United Planet China Summer Program, in which I taught English in an elementary school in a very rural area of China. Before I left, United Planet ensured that I knew what to expect and what I should do to prepare for the trip. For instance, there were two phone conferences before the trip and they were fast and reliable on replying e-mails. They had a lot of information on China as well as suggestions for teaching on a website that they use, and they were extremely organized in every way.

The program itself was fantastic. In a rural area of China, one shouldn't expect the same standards of living as we have here in America. However, once one learns to look past that, it turned out to be truly great. I bonded so closely with the Chinese volunteers that I'm even considering to visit China next summer to meet them. I also bonded really well with the foreign volunteers, and I plan to meet some of them in New York at one point (most of the volunteers were from America, though we had two from United Kingdom). The students that I worked with were dedicated, enthusiastic and attentive. Since United Planet has been working on this project for eight years in Jinxi town (where I went), they truly had an impact on the town. To state an example, students only thought of becoming a policeman or a teacher before United Planet started the program. Nowadays, they want to become engineers, scientists and many other occupations as a result of how their horizons were broadened by the program. All in all, both the organization and the program exceeded my expectations.