CIEL Center for International Experiential Learning

What CIEL Center for International Experiential Learning does

CIEL Center for International Experiential Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 1312 1/2 Montana Street in Los Angeles, California (EIN #86-2352927). The organization designs and delivers immersive experiential learning travel programs to conflict-affected and post-conflict regions, combining pre-travel education, on-the-ground engagement with local actors, and post-trip reflection through an alumni network. Programs span 9+ countries across 3 continents, including Northern Ireland, the Balkans (Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania), the Middle East (Jordan, Israel, Palestine), the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia), Vietnam and Cambodia, France and Germany, and the US-Mexico border.

The core technology is a proprietary experiential learning methodology that pairs academic coursework with curated travel, cross-cultural dialogue facilitation, and structured reflection, supported by documented risk-management protocols for operating in conflict-affected regions. The product portfolio includes university-partnered study abroad programs (with Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Chapman, University of Wyoming, Colgate, UCL, and UC system schools), community trips, a health-vertical pilot, professional development for teachers, customized consulting engagements, the Kugelman Scholarship Fund, and a Life-Long Alumni Society.

CIEL generates revenue primarily through per-seat program fees ($1,500 to $4,490 across documented 2026 programs, with some trips carrying built-in scholarships) and tax-deductible donations processed via givebutter.com. The organization is led by Executive Director Daniel Wehrenfennig (co-founder of the predecessor Olive Tree Initiative at UC Irvine in 2008), Associate Director Timna Medovoy, and a board chaired by Dulcie Kugelman. The team numbers approximately 7 staff, and the organization traces its origin to the Olive Tree Initiative, which operated from 2008 to 2020 before spinning off CIEL as an independent nonprofit.

Name

CIEL Center for International Experiential Learning

Legal name

Center for International Experiential Learning

Website

https://cielglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CIEL Center for International Experiential Learning is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and delivers immersive study-abroad and community travel programs to conflict-affected regions, serving university students, community members, and professional groups through partnerships with 15+ universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Travel Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Experiential & Field-Based Study Abroad (Research, Field Schools, Practicums) (EDAIAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry & Intercultural Training for Study Abroad (EDAIAAAH), Cultural Adjustment & Intercultural Training Programs (EDAIAKAB)

Keywords

• Experiential education programs
• Conflict resolution travel
• Study abroad programs
• Peacebuilding education
• Immersion learning trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Experiential Learning Program Fees: CIEL generates revenue through fees charged for experiential learning travel programs, which include pre-travel education, local transportation, accommodations, meals, cultural experiences, speaker honorariums, and access to the alumni network. Pricing varies by program duration and destination.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CIEL accepts tax-deductible donations. The organization maintains a Kugelman Scholarship Fund to support participants. Donations are collected through givebutter.com platforms.
3. Consulting Services: Customized travel programs and consulting services for organizations and private groups with specific needs and interests in immersive educational travel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CIEL designs and delivers immersive experiential learning programs through international travel to conflict-affected regions. Each program combines pre-travel education, on-ground engagement with local actors (politicians, victims, civil society leaders, researchers), structured cross-cultural dialogue, and post-trip reflection. Programs are offered as university study abroad courses, community trips, professional development experiences, and customized group itineraries spanning the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Middle East, Vietnam and Cambodia, US-Mexico Border, France and Germany, and the South Caucasus.

Product overview

CIEL (Center for International Experiential Learning) is a nonprofit educational organization offering immersive experiential learning programs through international travel to conflict-affected regions. The core offering consists of structured travel programs to post-conflict and conflict-affected areas including the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Middle East, Vietnam and Cambodia, US-Mexico Border, France and Germany, and Georgia and Armenia. Programs are designed for university students, community members, and professionals, featuring pre-travel education, on-ground immersive experiences with local actors, and post-trip alumni engagement. The portfolio includes university-partnered study abroad programs, community trips, health-focused programs, professional development, consulting services, and a scholarship fund. The organization emerged from the Olive Tree Initiative (2008-2020), with CIEL now operating as an independent nonprofit carrying forward similar methodologies with expanded reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Experiential Learning Programs Immersive international travel programs to conflict-affected regions combining experiential learning, cross-cultural dialogue, and critical reflection for university students, community members, and professionals.
• Northern Ireland Program Study abroad program examining the Troubles, peace process, and post-conflict reconciliation in Northern Ireland, delivered in partnership with Vanderbilt, Colgate, Georgetown, and Chapman universities.
• Balkans Community Trip Two-week immersive journey through Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania exploring war legacies, reconciliation, and democratic development.
• Bosnia Student Trip Eight-day academic field program examining genocide, mass violence, political fragmentation, and Women Peace and Security frameworks in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Sarajevo, Republika Srpska (Zvornik), Srebrenica, and Mostar.
• Jordan Middle East Trip Immersive program in Jordan examining Israel-Palestine dynamics, regional migration, displacement, environmental pressures, and regional security in partnership with University of Wyoming.
• US-Mexico Border Community Trip Community trip examining migration, border policy, and humanitarian conditions on both sides of the US-Mexico border in San Diego, Tijuana, and Valle de Guadeloupe.
• Vietnam & Cambodia Program Experiential learning trip exploring legacies of colonialism, civil war, American involvement, post-genocide resilience, and intergenerational trauma in Vietnam and Cambodia.
• France & Germany Community Trip Community trip exploring Franco-German reconciliation, WWII historic sites, and foundations of European integration.
• Georgia & Armenia Community Trip Twelve-day program examining geopolitical pressures, EU integration challenges, border closure effects, displacement response, and historical memory in the South Caucasus region.
• University of Wyoming Pharmacy Pilot Program First health-focused academic trip examining intersection of public health, mental health, and conflict in Northern Ireland, with continuing education credits for mental health professionals.
• Germany Professional Development Program Five-day professional development program with UCL Centre for Holocaust Education in Berlin exploring perpetration, complicity, and responsibility for UK secondary school teachers.
• Consulting Services Customized consulting and program design services for organizations and groups seeking immersive educational travel experiences tailored to specific needs and interests in conflict-affected regions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% positive/excellent rating from 200+ post-trip survey respondents (75% response rate)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered emerging, core and founding.

• Colgate UniversityemergingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Northern Ireland immersive learning experience for Colgate University students focused on conflict, peacebuilding, and post-conflict governance through engagement with former combatants, policymakers, victims' groups, and community leaders.
• UCL Centre for Holocaust EducationemergingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for Berlin professional development program for UK secondary school teachers exploring perpetration, complicity, and responsibility through visits to Sachsenhausen, Wannsee Conference House, and Alexander Haus.
• University of WyomingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with University of Wyoming's Pharmacy Department for innovative health-focused programs. Includes Northern Ireland mental health pilot program and Jordan Middle East trip examining public health, mental health, and conflict intersection.
• Vanderbilt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Annual Northern Ireland programs through Vanderbilt's Dialogue Program. Students examine the Troubles, Good Friday Agreement, and ongoing reconciliation challenges through meetings with former combatants, victims' advocates, politicians, and civil society leaders.
• Georgetown UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Ongoing collaboration with Georgetown's MA in Democracy & Governance program. Annual Northern Ireland trips led by Professor Elton Skendaj, examining political structures, post-conflict governance, and reconciliation in divided societies.
• Chapman UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Ongoing partnership with Chapman University's Peace Studies and Communication Studies programs. Multiple student trips to Northern Ireland, Vietnam/Cambodia, and Middle East. CIEL Board Chair Dulcie Kugelman and Executive Director Daniel Wehrenfennig actively collaborate with Chapman faculty including Dr. Lisa Leitz and Dr. Sara LaBelle.
• University of California, Irvine (UCI)foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008UCI was the founding institution where the Olive Tree Initiative (CIEL's predecessor) was established by Daniel Wehrenfennig and Paula Garb. The program operated within the School of Social Sciences, Office of the Chancellor, and Center for Citizen Peacebuilding before spinning off as an independent nonprofit in 2020.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Peace Direct: Peace Direct is an NGO that supports local peacebuilders in conflict-affected regions. It is comparable to CIEL in mission (peace via engagement in conflict regions) but operates through grant funding and local partnerships rather than participant-driven study abroad.
• Search for Common Ground: Search for Common Ground is a large international NGO focused on conflict transformation and peacebuilding. It shares CIEL's conflict-resolution mission but emphasizes on-the-ground peacebuilding projects rather than educational travel programs.
• Amizade (Global Service-Learning): Amizade is a nonprofit offering immersive, community-driven service-learning programs in multiple countries, with university partnerships. Comparable to CIEL in experiential learning model and university channel, but smaller and less focused on conflict zones.
• Discover Corps: Discover Corps offers immersive, small-group volunteer and educational travel programs in destinations including the Middle East and Latin America. It overlaps with CIEL's experiential travel model but emphasizes service/volunteer components over conflict-resolution study.

Broad incumbents

• Road Scholar (Elderhostel): Road Scholar runs educational travel programs for adults (lifelong learners) with academic and experiential components. Comparable to CIEL's community trips segment in business model and audience, but less focused on conflict zones.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest U.S. study abroad organizations offering programs in dozens of countries with strong university partnerships. It is a broad incumbent in the same study abroad category as CIEL but lacks CIEL's specialization in conflict-affected regions.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad provides study abroad and internship programs through university partnerships globally. Like CIEL, it sells program-fee-based experiential learning, but its catalog is broader and less focused on conflict-zone immersion.

Direct peers

• School for International Training (SIT Study Abroad): SIT is a leading provider of experiential study abroad programs with thematic focus on social justice, conflict, and human rights across multiple regions. It offers field-based programs in conflict-affected regions much like CIEL, but at much larger scale and as a degree-granting institution.

Regional players

• Middlebury Institute / KAICIID Dialogue Programs: Middlebury Institute runs graduate programs in conflict resolution and offers training for interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Comparable to CIEL in peace education and conflict focus, but primarily academic rather than field-based travel.

Others

• OXFAM Education & Youth Programs: Oxfam's education and youth programs engage students and educators on global justice, conflict, and development issues. Comparable to CIEL in thematic focus but typically operates through advocacy and campaigns rather than immersive travel programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cielglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIEL Center for International Experiential Learning