Awaken from Hibernation

Connecting people by providing language and cultural learning opportunities, in the community. The Global Language Network

This is Andrew Brown Bear

He’s just an average bear from a small mountain town in Colorado

Like 91% of Americans, Andrew Bear lived in hibernation & only spoke English

One day he discovered that less than 5% of the world is born speaking English

He realized that if he didn’t learn another language he’d miss out on 95% of the world.

So Andrew Bear went to France to study for a year… where he found a joie de vivre … a second life …

He loved it so much he decided to spread the word Notre de se devoir réunir c’est

He began teaching French to help others experience the same opportunities.

He became passionate

with learning,

teaching,

and most importantly, using

language and culture

as means to connect with individuals.

Where will you let your passion take you?

He has since taught, studied, worked,

and traveled in 23 countries.

He is now learning his 23 rd language.

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did He followed his passion for bringing people together through language and culture and founded The Global Language Network (GLN) student organization at George Washington University in 2005.

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did He trained volunteers to teach their native languages through free classes to the community

He got 14 foreign ambassadors to speak to students to emphasize cultural competence in language learning

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did He started GLN with a simple mission: Connect people by providing language and cultural learning opportunities within their communities

Andrew Bear decided to spread the word Andrew Bear sought guidance from top leaders and professionals to help the organization grow.

Andrew Bear decided to spread the word Partnered GLN with the World Bank to advance GLN’s teacher training and teacher resources.

Andrew Bear decided to spread the word Took his entire life savings and incorporated The Global Language Network, a not-for-profit organization.

Andrew Bear decided to spread the word Devoted all his time & energy towards the vision of a connected community and Network of globally-minded people

Andrew Bear decided to spread the word Developed a team of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals & volunteers to help make this vision a reality .

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did With a lot of hard work and a whole lot of community support, GLN has won 12 awards including grants from Intuit, DC Humanities Council, Pepsi, Mt. Dew & Do Something

GLN now has higher enrollments in 48 languages

than any other US institution (Modern Language Association data)

Break out of hibernation with GLN

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did GLN has grown from one teacher (just Andrew) to almost 400 volunteer teachers, for over 50 languages

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did GLN has gone from one individual to a team of over 150 volunteers specializing in marketing, operations, and finance.

This Is What Andrew Brown Bear Did Since incorporating in 8/2008 GLN has grown its Network to 6 cities around the US: DC, Boston, Boulder, Nashville, Atlanta, & Birmingham

“ The Macedonian course with GLN made me happier, more fulfilled and brought me closer to my fiancée and his family.” (Sara, GWU student) Student

"My instructor was great, and her teaching was a huge contribution to the success of my work in Haiti." (Ron, Red Cross) Student

None of this would have happened…if Andrew Bear hadn’t woken up from hibernation…