New foundation honors industry pioneers with inaugural scholarships for Thai J-1 participants and Filipino special education teachers

Today at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in Bilbao, Alliance Strategies announced the official launch of GeoVisions Gives, a new philanthropic foundation created to support cultural exchange initiatives and invest directly in international participants and communities worldwide.

GeoVisions Gives honors the heritage and spirit of the GeoVisions brand, translating its long-standing legacy of global connection into dedicated scholarships and community projects with lasting social impact.

Today at WYSTC, GeoVisions Gives is proud to introduce its first two foundational scholarship initiatives:

The Kevin Morgan Scholarship honours the original founder of GeoVisions, a stalwart of the cultural exchange sector whose pioneering work established vital international pathways, particularly for Thai students. Recognizing the wealth of talent in Thailand, Kevin was among the first to offer J-1 exchange opportunities to these students at scale. In recognition of his legacy, this scholarship will fund exceptional Thai students who wish to participate in the J-1 program but face financial barriers that would otherwise prevent them from doing so.

Schools worldwide face a critical shortage of qualified Special Education teachers who provide vital support for students with unique classroom needs. Dr. Ligaya Avenida has dedicated her career to supporting Filipino teachers seeking to live and teach abroad and has been instrumental in developing specialized training programs for Special Education educators.

In tribute to her lifelong advocacy, The Dr. Ligaya Avenida Scholarship for Filipino Educators will assist Master’s in Special Education students in the Philippines who are struggling to complete their degrees due to financial constraints, providing the critical support needed to finish their studies and enter the global educator pipeline.

“Our exchange programs have always been about human connection, and launching GeoVisions Gives allows us to serve our global communities even better,” said James Bell, CEO of Alliance Strategies. “Kevin Morgan and Dr. Ligaya Avenida spent their careers opening doors for international participants and I am delighted that one of the very first things GeoVisions Gives will do is honour their legacies.

“These two scholarships are just the beginning,” Bell added. “As our global programs evolve, GeoVisions Gives will continue to expand its footprint, investing directly back into the leaders, educators, and communities who make cultural exchange possible.”

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About Alliance Strategies

Alliance Strategies is a global mobility and cultural exchange organization dedicated to connecting international talent with life-changing professional and cultural experiences in host communities worldwide. Its family of brands comprises Alliance Abroad, Teacher Lounge, Stepwest, Stepabroad, and Wild Packs.

About GeoVisions Gives

GeoVisions Gives was created to invest directly in the people connected to Alliance Strategies’ global programs. Carrying forward the legacy of GeoVisions,a brand that spent years connecting people across borders through cultural exchange, the foundation extends that mission into a lasting, long-term commitment to the participants and communities themselves.