ONEWORLD NOW
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Mission Statement
OneWorld Now develops the next generation of global leaders. We envision a world where all young people have access to transformative international education. Our unique approach offers high school students a combination of accredited language and leadership classes, along with study abroad. Together these experiences ignite students' innate power as global citizens. We prioritize the students who systems of injustice too often marginalize: offering every program on a sliding scale, bringing intensive staff support to students' hopes for international connection. Because the world needs global leaders of every economic background and racial identity.
About This Cause
“Because of OWN, I got to meet a U.S. Ambassador in ninth grade and was told ‘You could do this too.’ My mind was blown. I had no idea that everyday folk like me could work in places like that or dream that big. From that time I pursued every opportunity I could to study languages, and to study and live abroad.” Ednauh, OneWorld Now Alum OneWorld Now! was founded in Seattle, Washington in 2002, out of the ashes of 9/11. It was a brave vision in the atmosphere of the time. OWN Founder, Kristin Hayden, sought to build bridges of connection with cultures the U.S. has been challenged to understand. She also believed in the power of focusing on high school students who have the least access to global education. In the beginning, we launched a pilot Arabic language program at Ingraham High School in north Seattle with just 12 students. Today, OWN involves 250 students annually, who learn four critical languages. Our programs enroll students in person in Seattle and online from across the continent of North America. Our staff from around the world share these nationally-recognized programs teaching Mandarin, Arabic, Korean, and Russian. 2,500 alumni testify to the life-changing value of these programs. Who participates? OWN prioritizes the determined high school students who are historically marginalized by education systems. 81% of our students come from communities of color, communities new to the U.S., and communities facing economic hardship. Here is an overview of our three arenas of programs: World Language Track High School students study Arabic, Korean, Russian or Mandarin Chinese with us -- languages of global impact that are not taught in the public schools. Students earn credit while experiencing the fun and rigor of learning about a new language and culture. Classes meet after school October-June, with special summer immersions available as well. Both in-person and virtual class options are available. Leadership Track Every other week, Leadership Track students meet to build positive social identities, intercultural sensitivity and an expanded sense of global citizenship. In the end, students realize their potential as leaders in their community and in their own life, and are empowered to do their part to make a positive change in the world. The Leadership Track is based on a uniquely designed curriculum involving a series of workshops that set youth on a course toward becoming global citizens concerned with social justice and equity. The Leadership program curriculum is dynamic and may evolve in response to current events and student interests. Offered online and in-person. Study Abroad Study abroad programs take students on a life-changing journey to develop intercultural skills, explore global issues, and make friends with high school students from around the world. We support students of every income in their hopes to experience the world as a global citizen. Our teachers lead our own study abroad. And our staff connects students with other study abroad opportunities through partner agencies. We personally mentor students in the many required steps: applications, scholarships, and pragmatics of your first international trip. In 2025 OWN is organizing its own study abroad program to Taiwan. Study Abroad is expensive. We make it possible for brave students of limited means by offering scholarship support of as much as 85%, based on the family situation. We mentor students in applying for and raising their own funds. We partner with international education leaders, such as American Council for Int Ed and NSLI. “At first I was only interested in learning a language, but it got me started at OWN, where I made so many friends and learned so much. I studied Arabic, Mandarin, leadership, and study abroad. I did the whole deal! We say students are the next generation of global leaders. I laughed about that when I was fourteen. Now I can see how what I did then impacted where I am today.” Ednauh, OWN Alum