#ISLC2023
Operation Smile Student Programs is excited to announce #ISLC2023 will be held at the El Pueblo resort in Lima, Peru! This year’s conference will be held from July 17-23, 2023.
Due to such high demand, the application period has been extended!
Please note that you MUST register for our iSmile platform to apply for ISLC!
For details, read more about the conference below.
If you have any questions about the upcoming conference, please email islc@operationsmile.org.
Each year, Operation Smile hosts its International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) at a different university around the world. This annual conference helps high school students develop and strengthen their leadership skills and character, provides training on how to help those in developing countries, as well as exposes them to different cultures. Attendees will hear inspiring speakers share their insights on the topics of leadership, overcoming obstacles and what it means to make a difference; they’ll also meet like-minded people committed to making a difference in the lives of children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
Why ISLC?
We know you’ll get a lot out of the ISLC experience, but don’t just take our word for it! We put out a call on our Instagram story for reasons why everyone should come to ISLC, and here’s what our student volunteers said:
Passion: “Because you get to know so many people that share the same passion! You also grow so much, not only as a volunteer but as a person!” – Luis, Paraguay
Friendship: “I love attending ISLCs because I can meet people from all around the world, create amazing friendships, and get to meet incredible people.” – Brie, Bolivia
Cultural exchange: “Both years I’ve attended, my roommates were from Latin America. I loved learning about what teenagers do there, what their school is like and how they help Operation Smile.” – Reese, Kentucky, U.S.
Learning: “I got to meet so many student leaders and I obtained so many valuable lessons!” – Haram, New Jersey, U.S.
What: #ISLC2023
Who: High schoolers, including: rising freshmen, current freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors
When: July 17-23, 2023
Where: El Pueblo resort in Lima, Peru
Registration Fee:
- Student participants and Assistant Team Leaders:$1,000 USD
- Team Leaders: $600
- Adult chaperones:$750 USD
The registration fee includes accommodation, meals, ground transportation to and from the airport and items associated with conference activities, but it does not include airfare to and from Lima or the cost to obtain a visa, if applicable.
A non-refundable fee of $250 USD is due from all participants upon registration. Specifics about payments will be released to participants after acceptance.
Two important notes:
- Due to such high demand, the application period has been extended!
- You must register in iSmile to complete your application.
Once the deadline for application has ended, all applications will be sent to a review committee comprised of Operation Smile Student Programs staff. Selected participants will be notified via iSmile. Invited participants will have 72 hours to register and secure their spot with a $250 USD non-refundable deposit. Those who do not receive an acceptance email will be placed on a wait list.
It is imperative that the email used in the application is one that the participant has access to and checks frequently. Conference communication and updates will take place via iSmile.
The conference would not be possible without our student leaders! We invite you to apply for one of our student leadership positions to enhance your skills and guide your peers.
You must register in iSmile to apply for a role as a Team Leader or Assistant Team Leader.
Team Leader Requirements:
- Current Operation Smile club officer/board member
- Current high school senior
- Previous participant of a past ISLC
- Highly motivated, self-directed and a problem solver
- Detail-oriented and well-organized leader
- Multitasker with strong time-management skills
- Team player with a strong work ethic
- Good communicator with excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills
Assistant Team Leader Requirements:
- Involved as an active Operation Smile club member at school for at least 1 year
- Current high school sophomore or and junior
- Previous participant of a past ISLC
- Highly motivated, self-directed and a problem solver
- Detail-oriented and well-organized leader
- Multitasker with strong time-management skills
- Team player with a strong work ethic
- Good communicator with excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills
If you would like to apply for one of these student leadership roles, please select this in your application form and answer the associated questions for each role.
Thank you for your interest in serving as an adult chaperone at #ISLC2023!
You must register for iSmile to apply as a chaperone. When you register, you must select “ISP Parent/Volunteer” and choose the club you’re connected to, or select “independent” if it’s not listed.
Operation Smile is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our employees, volunteers, patients and stakeholders. To reduce the risk to all those involved with Operation Smile, we employ an application and screening process for medical and non-medical volunteers participating in our programs. Operation Smile uses GoodHire https://www.goodhire.com to retrieve background checks.
Operation Smile is implementing a Screening Policy/Background Check for all adults involved with Student Programs. Even though chaperones/student sponsors may have been involved in the past, we will still include them in our rollout of background checks. All chaperones/sponsors will have to cover the cost of this process.
The cost of attending #ISLC2023 as an adult chaperone is $750. Adult chaperones must be at least 26 years old and are also responsible for their own travel to and from the conference.
This conference is a wonderful opportunity for both students and adults alike!
ISLC is organized and run by Operation Smile Student Programs staff, as well as 20 to 30 student team leaders. The role of the adult chaperone is to support the staff and team leaders and ensure the participants have a safe and fun experience. Additionally, we expect chaperones to help maintain a positive, safe, orderly atmosphere for all the conference participants. To do so, we have established certain guidelines for the conference, which are outlined below. Keep in mind, Operation Smile attracts great students, but great students can sometimes make poor decisions.
Register for iSmile to learn more about the role of a chaperone and apply.