Award-winning filmmaker, Marco Ríos Bollinger, takes you on a journey to meet inspiring change-makers around the globe and guides you through a step-by-step process to find your own path toward building a better world. What are you waiting for?

  • Schedule

    Flexible online learning - Go at your own pace

  • Virtual Field Trips

    Learn from local leaders in Mexico City, Nepal, Costa Rica, and a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon

  • Scholarships

    Can't pay? We're approving 100% of scholarships for a limited time. Apply in <5 minutes.

Let's Go!

Watch the Intro

How the Program Works

Here's what you'll get through this unique, experiential learning experience.

  • Watch professionally produced video lessons, including 4 mini documentary field trips

  • Complete assignments to boost your leadership skills and build a personal impact action plan

  • Explore social emotional learning skills, the healing nature of vulnerability, and how instructor Marco Ríos Bollinger uses them to build personal resilience

  • Better understand your strengths and weaknesses, and what kinds of teammates you need

QUESTIONS

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Meet Your Instructor

Marco Ríos Bollinger

Co-Founder @ Uprise and Creator of Hidden Heroes

Peruvian-American Marco Riós Bollinger has directed projects for the UN Refugee Agency, worked with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and photographed Beyoncé and Barack Obama. He’s produced award-winning social issue documentaries on subjects ranging from the plight of refugee kids (SAFE ZONE), the healing power of dance (Dance Is My Gun) to the impacts of tourism (2.5%). His most recent project is the documentary series, Hidden Heroes. He has also moved to scale his empathy-building advocacy work by co-founding social enterprises Lokal Travel and Uprise.

What students are saying

“The course was fantastic. The videos are succinct, yet beautifully encapsulate emotions, skills, and stories in them. The assignments are equally great; they reinforce the knowledge shared in the videos and prompt you to think about your own experiences and ideas. Anyone taking this course will complete it with the tools they need to begin on their journey towards making a social impact.”

Rahul Yates, Los Angeles

“Captivating film editing, it looks super professional. Taking the course felt liberating. ”

Andrew Goldman, Los Angeles

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1: Let's Get Started

  • 2

    Chapter 2: Understanding Your Passion & Purpose

  • 3

    Chapter 3: Defining Your Why

    • Introduction

    • Case Study: Lessons From an Old Peruvian Man

    • Exercise 3.1: Defining Your Why

    • Assignment 3.1 - Writing My Why

    • Exercise 3.2: Choose your North Star

    • Assignment 3.2 - Choose Your Northstar

    • Field Trip to Nepal: The Community Homestay Network

    • Nepal Field Trip Reflection: Putting your Why into Action
  • 4

    Chapter 4: The Courage to Start & Keep Going

    • Introduction

    • Case Study: From Bankruptcy to Beyoncé

    • Exercise 4.1: Sources of Strength

    • Assignment 4.1 - Your Sources of Strength

    • Exercise 2: Approaching Everything As A Learning Experience

    • Assignment 4.2 - Approaching Everything As A Learning Experience

    • Field Trip to Mexico: Ancient Canals & Modern Resilience with Ricardo

    • Mexico Field Trip Reflection
  • 5

    Chapter 5: Owning Your Story

    • Introduction

    • Case Study: Stepping Up for Syria's Refugees

    • Exercise 5.1: What's Your Story

    • Assignment 5.1 - What's Your Story

    • Exercise 2: Get Involved, Finding Community

    • Assignment 5.2 - Envision and Connect with Your Ideal Community

    • Field Trip to Lebanon: Youth Refugees

    • Lebanon Field Trip Reflection
  • 6

    Chapter 6: Mentors & Manifesting

    • Introduction

    • Exercise 6.1:Time to Act

    • Assignment 6.1 - Taking Action

    • Exercise 6.2: Advisors and Mentors

    • Assignment 6.2: The Support you Need

    • Exercise 6.3: Making the Ask for Support

    • Assignment 6.3 - Clarifying Your Ask
  • 7

    Conclusion

    • Conclusion and Final Message from Marco

    • Final Assignment - Your Personal Action Plan

This Class Makes an Impact

Uprise Scholarship Fund

At Uprise, we are committed to making our world-changing courses available to anyone and everyone so we approve every single scholarship request we receive. If you are able to pay for this course, know that 50% of the course fee you pay will help cover the course fees for those who can't afford it. The Scholarship Fund also helps us donate equipment - like laptops or simple VR glasses - to schools, nonprofits and families so they can get the most out of the Uprise learning experience.

Request a Scholarship

We believe cost should never be a barrier to our courses so we are approving 100% of requests for a limited time. Just answer 2 quick questions and you are in!
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