Now is the time to finalize your spring “alternative vacation.” Instead of beach hopping, visiting the predictable theme park, or binge-watching Netflix, imagine a life-changing break contributing to meaningful projects, developing unique friendships with people from another culture, and experiencing life in a new community. (Sounds great, right?!) Continue reading to learn about popular alternative spring break/vacation […]
The world is waiting for you. Don’t just travel, travel with meaning. Imagine spending a week during your spring break, J-term, or summer vacation as an international volunteer – experiencing the world and making new friends all while helping others. Hundreds of students choose to volunteer abroad with Global Volunteers every year. Why? Global Volunteers […]
Arizona High School Students in Costa Rica A team of 34 Arizona Fountain Hills High School students and chaperones united with Colegio students on Global Volunteers’ high school group volunteering program in Costa Rica. Working together, they carried out maintenance on the forest trails on campus – an outdoor classroom at this ecotourism-focused school, shared the “pura vida” culture in […]
Journal by Ella, Cuba Global Volunteer and Blake School Student. Today, we finally discovered the true meaning of “bailar”, what it really means to dance. Through learning the contagious salsa which I have no doubt we will be teaching family and friends back home, learning the conga and the cha-cha, listening to the never-ending party […]
Bennett, a Global Volunteer in Cuba and Blake School student, discovers that making friends in Cuba comes easily with shared interests and activities. Friday was truly something to behold. From working in the fields, alongside friends, to tutoring a group of four Cubans who collectively spoke only a small sliver of English, I personally found Friday […]
Learning About Cuba: Reflection by Brendan, Cuba Global Volunteer and Blake School Student. Surprises – little moments of life can brighten our day when we least expect it, or can change our world view. Yesterday was a day of surprises – of finding fun and enjoyment in pulling weeds, in learning so much from simply […]
Reflections on a handshake in Cuba by Michael, Cuba Global Volunteer and Blake School Student. Oh, a handshake! The simplest connection that humans can make. Those from different languages, races, cultures, and worlds are able to feel an instant connection. What becomes even more special is the catalyst that the handshake can produce. The reaction […]
Global Volunteers excels in high-school service-learning opportunities. This is because the long-term community development projects students work on are directed by local leaders, managed by development experts, and completed by working hand-in-hand with local children and adults. Over three decades, we’ve engaged thousands of students in projects to help children on six continents reach their highest potential. Read more below […]
When 14-year-old Cassi Kay volunteered in Romania with her grandmother, Shirley and Aunt Colleen, she wasn’t aware how that experience would impact her future education. Her essay, “My Epiphany, “ submitted with six college applications, helped secure six admissions. Here is Cassi’s story: “I was fourteen when I discovered what so many search for their […]
Testimonials about Serving and Learning in Monteverde After spending a week serving and learning in Monteverde, this group of 30 high school students, one alumnus, one valiant teacher, and two parents from Fountain Hills, Arizona shared these parting thoughts: “We end the trip with newly developed friendships and newly sculpted leg muscles. Although saying goodbye to these […]