In 2013, Bailey Ulbricht dedicated two months to volunteering in Reyhanlı, Turkey, a small town near the Turkey–Syria border. During her stay, she encountered numerous Syrian college students facing challenges in pursuing their degrees due to the conflict in Syria. Initially, she began assisting a few students with English practice through Skype sessions. Recognizing the broader need, Bailey mobilized her network and enlisted ten tutors from Carleton College, her alma mater, to launch the inaugural Paper Airplanes English language program in June 2014.
Following its inception, Paper Airplanes experienced consistent growth, culminating in attaining official nonprofit status in the USA in December 2016. By January 2017, the organization expanded its team to include 25 staff members, and as of June 2021, the active staff has exceeded 45 members, many of whom are former students and tutors.
Over a decade later, in 2024, the program has expanded and added features that also teach professional skills development and help women access careers in technology. As of 2021, the organization employed 45 staff members, many former students or tutors, and 945 tutors worldwide.
The organization aims to close disparities in language proficiency, higher education, and professional skills development for those impacted by conflict. This is important work as only one percent of the refugee population attends some university program compared to 34 percent of young people worldwide. The organization recognizes that English proficiency is extremely valuable in obtaining international college admissions as well as finding work and opportunities.
Students of Paper Airplanes can learn English through the organization’s speaking classes or its one-on-one instruction. In the speaking classes, three to five students converse with the instructor. The conversations build student confidence in their verbal skills, perfect their speaking skills, and help them navigate the varied nuances of English conversation. Conversely, the 18-week one-on-one class emphasizes student conversation with native English speakers. It also prepares students for international college entrance exams (TOEFL and IELTS). Moreover, students learn professional writing skills such as composing emails.
Participants can also prepare for careers through Paper Airplane’s weekly professional development skills program. Participants receive scholarships, internships, and employment assistance. The classes consist of 20 students who also learn time management skills on top of how to draft resumes, cover letters, and business emails as they prepare for job interviews. The professional skills development provides workshops to complement the program’s classes. Finally, students who have obtained interviews for employment can practice with professionals in the field by participating in mock interviews. Then, students receive feedback on their performance and suggestions for improvement.
The organization makes careers in technology accessible for refugees through its Women in Tech (WIT) program. However, participants must live in areas where conflict has adversely impacted them. The organization recognizes that women in these communities face the challenges of becoming educated in the middle of a conflict while also caring for families. The ideal candidate is a woman over 18 with intermediate or advanced English proficiency and can commit to three to four hours of class work, including the final project.
Women learn about analytics, coding, and programming through the WIT program in Paper Airplane’s online class format. The program offers Python for Beginners, Advanced Python, Web Development, and Digital Marketing courses. By the end of each term, students must complete a final project exhibiting their mastery of the skills learned in the class. Students present this project to Paper Airplanes’ staff and partners.
Ultimately, these initiatives provide students with language proficiency and skills, nurturing their personal development paths. Moreover, this learning community fosters strong bonds between students and tutors, facilitating cross-cultural exchange and impactful relationships for mutual benefit.
