Community Connections Program Evaluation

To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Community Connections program, World Learning, a global nonprofit providing international educational programs, engaged a Capstone team to conduct a program evaluation. Community Connections provides intensive three week professional trainings in a variety of sectors offering participants an opportunity to learn both about their professional field and US culture. The program aims to promote public diplomacy and development in 13 Eurasian countries. The Capstone team evaluated Community Connections on multiple levels including the homestay experience, professional development sessions, and the use of information technology. Through research instruments, such as interviews, onsite observations, participant observations, and homestay family surveys, the team gathered data and analyzed Community Connections. The team provided conclusions and recommendations to World Learning in order to build on their current successes of the program.