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ELI is a registered non-profit organization, founded in 2001, that partners with organizations from around the world that make a difference in their communities. We work closely with these groups to ensure ELI volunteers get meaningful experiences at reasonable prices.
ELI's full name, Experiential Learning International, reflects our philosophy. We believe that the most compelling life lessons come through experience, and that international experiences are among the most profound influences on our sense of self and our view of the world.
ELI sees learning as a lifelong journey: our programs are not limited to students, and we welcome participants 18 and older of all nationalities.
We have something for everyone: whether you want to teach in Ghana, work in an orphanage in Nepal, animal rescue in the rainforest of Ecuador, medical clinic in South India, or study in a university in Buenos Aires.
What Makes ELI Different?
Our staff is experienced and knowledgeable. Our program fees are among the lowest. Our relationships with our foreign partners are based on mutual trust and respect. We work hard to build long lasting relationships with all our partner organizations and take pride in the long term benefits the communities we work in have experienced as a result of the hard work done by ELI volunteers.
Non-Profit Status
ELI has been granted 501(c)3 non-profit status. US taxpayers may be able to deduct much of the cost of their volunteer program, including airfare. Everyone's tax situation is different, so it is best to consult with an accountant or tax professional for more information on making itemized deductions. As a non-profit organization, we believe that full transparency is essential. Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask us. You may view our organizational documents and most recent financial statement by clicking here. All ELI's previous Form 990s are posted on www.guidestar.org.
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Kevin O'Neill
Director
Dr. Kevin O'Neill was born in Southern California. He received his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and spent a year at the Université de Bordeaux in France. Continuing with his studies, Dr. O'Neill moved to Berkeley where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, Dr. O'Neill was awarded a US government grant to study Tamil, and later, a French government grant to pursue his research at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. He is the author of scholarly articles and translations. He worked for years as a French professor and later as Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado, Denver. As director of international programs at UCD, Dr. O'Neill developed groundbreaking programs throughout the world including China, Russia, Nepal, and Mongolia. In 2001, Dr. O'Neill founded ELI as a more flexible and culturally integrative alternative to traditional study abroad programs. In 2004, Dr. O'Neill was awarded an honorary doctorate by Russia's premier institution, Moscow State University, in recognition of his contribution to international education. He is also the founder of Portal Educativo and President of the International Hispanic Online University.
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 Crossing the Ugandan border in style. Oct. 2011 |
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Malissa Spero
Program Specialist
Malissa grew up on Oahu and graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in International Studies and French. She studied abroad in Paris, Beijing, Kathmandu, and Ilomantsi. She worked in corporate dispute mediation for several years in San Diego. After teaching English in Incheon, South Korea, Malissa became a Program Manager for the Center for China-US Cooperation at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Passionate about international development and humanitarian work, she has been a program specialist with ELI since January 2007. Malissa specializes in EI's programs in Nepal, Thailand, South Africa, Brazil and Ireland.
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Kenton Owsley
Program Specialist
Kenton grew up in Olympia, Washington and gradually worked his way east via Boise and Salt Lake City until landing in Denver where he began his graduate program in International Studies and Comparative Politics at the University of Denver. He first became interested in experiential travel through an exchange program in Lima, Peru the summer following his senior year of high school. The focus of his studies turned toward the Middle East after spending six months studying and teaching English in Cairo, Egypt and traveling through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. He also studied in Sevilla, Spain for a summer and participated in volunteer programs in Venezuela and Southeast Asia. Kenton specializes in our programs in India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Poland, and Africa.
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Paola Vilaxa
Program Specialist
Paola grew up in Santiago, Chile. Her first experience traveling was as a teenager, visiting her cousins during the cold winter in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where she studied English as an exchange student at the local high school. In 2004, she graduated as a journalist from Valparaiso’s Universidad de Playa Ancha. Still feeling the need to satisfy her thirst for travel after a backpacking trip through Europe, Paola became a flight attendant for a Chilean airline. After several years in the air she finally decided to plant her feet on the ground, following her husband to the United States where they ultimately landed in Denver, Colorado. She has now been a Spanish teacher in Denver for three years and loves to share her experiences from Latin America and help other people explore the world. Paola is our specialist for programs in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico.
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Mary Solie
Applications Advisor/Program Specialist
Mary is originally from Minnesota and has a BA in Spanish and Global Studies from the University of Minnesota. Beginning in high school when she was an AFS exchange student to New Zealand, Mary has constantly sought out opportunities to live, study and work around the globe. During college she spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica, followed by six months of English teaching in Barcelona, Spain. Her travels then took her to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she spent two years studying at the Universidad del Salvador and interning at the US Embassy. After a brief stint back in Minnesota working as a volunteer coordinator with a nonprofit organization, Mary returned to Costa Rica where she worked as a volunteer manager, an English teacher and a student affairs manager for an American study abroad program. Mary is very excited to now call Denver home and to be working at ELI helping others embark on life-changing international experiences. Mary now works with ELI helping participants through the application process and is our specialist on programs in Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Italy.
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