[5] Although much smaller than these organizations, VIA aimed to provide a range of educational and exchange opportunities to better connect Asians and Americans without governmental or religious affiliation.
In 1963, Dean of Freshmen Men at Stanford University Dwight Clark responded to student calls to better equip themselves for the future by organizing a group that visited Hong Kong that summer to engage in a variety of volunteer service projects.
[1] In response to the Vietnam War, two-year positions were created for conscientious objectors seeking alternative service opportunities in Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan or Nepal.
Over the years, volunteers have been placed in 15 Asian countries, including Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
VIA Stanford Programs have taken a variety of themes, but they all strive to give participants the linguistic and cultural skills to excel as global citizens.
For residents of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Mainland China, VIA Stanford Programs offers the following opportunities in the spring: Exploring Health Care and Serving American Community.