Blog
Our Impact
Our Approach
Over the years, our programs have included a diverse range of topics, locations, and collaborations, yet the essence of VIA’s approach has always focused on empowering individuals to gain practical skills through immersive learning and service while encouraging self-reflection and fostering personal connections across differences. The VIA experience is a journey in embracing duality – self and community, respect and innovation, empathy and action – to develop a more holistic mindset in emerging social impact leaders.
Who are VIA Social Impact Leaders?
VIA Social Impact Leaders balance the hard skills needed to create actionable change in their communities with a mindset of humility, curiosity, and compassion. These leaders approach challenges with respect and collaboration, understanding that diverse perspectives and experiences lead to the most innovative and effective solutions that ultimately benefit us all. Leveraging tangible leadership skills while maintaining a humble, human-first mindset enables VIA Social Impact Leaders to inspire change in communities while respecting and learning from the people around them.
The VIA Journey
As part of their journey in becoming VIA Social Impact Leaders:
participants have completed intensive training and experiential learning programs in Silicon Valley
service volunteers and fellows have supported education and community development initiatives with 100+ local partner institutions in over 15 countries in East and Southeast Asia
participants have completed internships, fieldwork research, and immersive learning programs in Asia
participants have completed virtual training and team-based project development accelerators
A Lifetime of Impact
Our continually growing network of alumni, partners, and collaborators represents VIA’s progress towards our vision: a global community of leaders collaborating across boundaries to build a more compassionate society and to address critical social challenges. VIA alumni continue their journeys as innovative, empathetic leaders in business and entrepreneurship, community advocacy and development, diplomacy, education, health care, law, public policy, technology, and many other fields around the world. Many alumni have also continued their personal and professional growth with VIA.
participants completed more than one VIA program in Asia, Silicon Valley, or online
volunteers and fellows completed more than one service project or professional fellowship with VIA’s community partners in Asia
alumni contributed their leadership skills to VIA as members of the staff and board
alumni supported the next generation of VIA participants as program mentors, hosts, coordinators, and fellows
