ILP was originally created by college students who wanted to have an experience in another country like a study abroad program, but didn't want to be tourists or confined to a classroom. They wanted to actually interact with people and form real relationships in the country where they went. Because of their standards, they knew the best way to get to know people was by serving. These students got together with a professor that shared their values and had spent his life developing the best, most successful way to teach English to children. They all agreed that the best thing that they could give to the people of a particular community was to teach their children English. The result was a program that allowed participants to really experience the country and culture (not just be in a classroom or tour around museums) in an affordable way.

Because ILP participants are volunteers, the schools and parents of the children in the program will help pay for the expenses (such as housing, food, and in-country support) to keep the program cost down.