What inspired you to work for Global Citizen Adventure Corps?
Rural youth collectively comprise twenty percent of public school students in the United States. Many are enrolled in Title I high schools, and if they attend college, are often the first generation to do so. Rural school districts are small with constrained resources often based on population, and, therefore, underserved as compared to their urban counterparts.
Furthermore, in recent decades, urban and suburban communities have experienced an increase in ethnically diverse populations which is not true in rural settings further limiting exposure to significant cultural influences. These complex challenges beg the question: how might a young person develop cultural competency without access to do so? Global Citizen Adventure Corps strives to fill that void.
I am one of these students.
Describe a typical day at work.
We are the small engine that could, and I LOVE that about GCAC. Stacie Freeman and I, as co-founders, are both career educators but have divided up the roles, and I am in charge of all things development-related.
Thus, every day I work to seek like-minded hearts and souls who know that travel changes people for the better, and are willing to lend a hand to young people seeking those opportunities. There may sometimes be a cat or two on my shoulder during Zoom meetings...
GCAC volunteering at an animal rescue center on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica.
Why do you do what you do?
Because I wish to leave the world a little better by my presence in it. I only had opportunities to see the world because I happened to be a good musician. Otherwise, I would not have had the resources to do so.
I absolutely marvel at the changes and personal growth I see in young people each and every time we take a new group of students to experience another culture. This is how our divided world may find peace and mutual respect for one another. This will never happen by solely remaining in one's own zip code.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
As a career percussionist, who has witnessed the power of music to transform lives among black women and children in Northeastern Brazil, my experience became a powerful mantra that I wanted to respectfully research and duplicate with young people around the world!
I eventually centered my dissertation research around Escola Dida and documented more closely the project's innate ability to transform lives and generations of women and young girls through the power of the arts. Why did this work? What were the key ingredients that could be used to help young people in other global communities?
This 20-year passion translated flawlessly into my work with Global Citizen Adventure Corps. I use what I learned with Escola Dida as my GCAC compass and inspiration each and every day.
GCAC Co-Presidents/Founders, Dr. Julie Hill and Stacie Freeman on their first GCAC program together in Guatemala in 2023.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Life is short. Having new experiences and meeting new people are two key items that give life true meaning. Every time you put yourself in a new environment that takes you out of your comfort zone, you will grow, and that scared little girl will soon turn into a courageous woman, not to worry.
Start learning languages, really learning them, as soon as you can. Make it a priority as learning to speak other languages and playing musical instruments will be the two skills you value most later in life. Don't waste precious time with things that won't matter in a generation. AND, invest in Amazon stock!
What makes Global Citizen Adventure Corps?
GCAC is one of the only nonprofit organizations in the United States that provides college credit to high school students for service learning. GCAC exists to provide scholarships for economically disadvantaged students of all ages serving primarily young people from the rural Southern United States.
Community members of all ages are additionally welcome in our programs. As a result, our programs generally have a richness in diversity of many kinds which makes for a more meaningful experience. Travelers are exposed to new people often before they ever leave our home airport.
Our programs are short and affordable which allows them to be accessible to a wide variety of travelers from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Service learning is a really strong component of GCAC programs. In every country we visit, we serve and learn together working to assist with community-identified projects. At GCAC, there is a perfect balance of service, education, and FUN in each and every one of our programs.
Lastly, GCAC travels primarily to Afro Diasporic countries which has a profound effect on young people who have never witnessed the impact of cultures impacted by slavery. Most of our travelers have never been in a situation in which they are in the minority which is a very important life lesson, one we strive to provide at GCAC.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Our programs are incredibly impactful and extremely affordable. Our groups average 12-15 persons so they are small in size. We work with local guides and community-identified volunteer projects, to make sure our dollars and volunteer hours are spent supporting people and projects who benefit directly from both.
We know that short-term volunteering can sometimes be reckless so we take every precaution to ensure that we are helping rather than harming those with whom we work. We also return to the same destinations and projects year after year to ensure we are a part of long-term change.
Our programs are all very education-based. Our 3-hour credit Global Studies courses are taught by university professors who are experts in their field and are fully transferrable to other academic institutions.
We additionally have guest experts who provide additional instruction to the groups prior to departure. Delivery is primarily online and asynchronous, but there are several opportunities to join in real-time via Zoom prior to departure so that everyone can meet each other.
Here are some of our course considerations:
Our Global Service-Learning and Citizenship program includes a self-paced, online course designed to impart knowledge of local, national, and/or global issues and illuminate the interconnectedness and interdependency of the global community. Participants are also introduced to the history and culture of the host community, concepts of global citizenship, and sustainable travel practices.
GCAC Course instruction is provided by university professors and National Geographic Certified Educators who are experts in their field.
Lastly, our programs are safe and all programs are accompanied by fully vetted GCAC leaders who are experienced educators and global travelers.
GCAC volunteering at an animal rescue center near Atenas, Costa Rica.
Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?
We are the winner of the 2024 Innovation in Philanthropy Award designated by GoAbroad!!
GCAC programs cover a wide range of topics and subjects and on our website, you can now match the subject area of your choice with countries in which we offer experiences that match that area of study. Subjects include music, art, agriculture, dance, education, economic development, health, history, culinary arts, hospitality and tourism, and plant and animal conservation.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
The mission of Global Citizen Adventure Corps is to cultivate global citizen leaders through education, travel, and service opportunities, increasing mutual respect for people, places, and the planet.
We agree with the Oxfam Organization’s definition: “A global citizen is aware of, and understands, the wider world and their place in it.” We also believe a global citizen takes an active role in their community and works with others to make the world more equal and sustainable.
A global citizen is an agent of change and:
- Develops the knowledge, skills, and values they need to engage with the world
- Understand and respect other perspectives, cultures, and diversity
- Believes that they can make a difference
- Builds their own understanding of world events
- Thinks about their values and what is important to them
- Takes learning into the real world
- Challenges ignorance and intolerance
- Gets involved in their local, national, and global communities
- Develops an argument and voices their opinions on global issues
- Sees that they have the power to act and influence the world around them
- Inspires and informs others
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
GCAC believes the preparation for travel, the responsibilities inherent in each traveler’s journey, and the benefits on the field will transform hearts and minds. By offering college credit and scholarships, GCAC builds pathways between rural high schools, universities, and our robust network of global nonprofit partners to provide global service-learning and travel opportunities to underserved students.
Our ultimate goal is to build a more equitable playing field for rural students. By providing access to international education, we provide the next generation of compassionate leaders and innovators the tools to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, at home and abroad.
Dr. Julie Hill co-leading a program in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Rural school districts are small with constrained resources often based on population, and, therefore, underserved as compared to their urban counterparts. Furthermore, in recent decades, urban and suburban communities have experienced an increase in ethnically diverse populations which is not true in rural settings further limiting exposure to significant cultural influences.
These complex challenges beg the question: how might a young person develop cultural competency without access to do so? Global Citizen Adventure Corps strives to fill that void.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel creates a pathway toward tolerance and understanding of cultures different from your own. Meaningful travel presents an opportunity to continue learning about and learning from the world's classroom for the rest of your life.
Meaningful travels means learning to crave that uncomfortable feeling of being out of your element until it becomes comfortable, and knowing that in that transference, personal growth occurs. Meaningful travel means knowing one of the most important legacies you can leave in life is the commitment to yourself, to explore the world, and to show love and respect to as many places and creatures as possible.
