Service Learning in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

This trip was the highlight of my travel experiences because of the depth of experiences including art, history, religion, music and dance. The very personal connections GCAC has with the most prominent and talented artists in Salvador de Bahia. We saw the most famous Samba-Reggae Group, Olodum, up close and personal. Our opportunity to drum with and perform with Yaya Muxima allowed us to contribute to this group that organizes the community and supports women and children in what was once a slum area and now visited by artists and intellectuals. These include Jimmy Cliff, Paul Simon, and Michael Jackson. The group of women was intergenerational and contributed to our sense of joy and belonging. The African Dance lesson was magical and brought me back to classes I took many years ago. The leaders were communicative, knowledgeable beyond expectation, and responsive to the needs of the group.

This trip was the most amazing trip of my life. The GCAC group was so welcoming and I have an amazing new family now. We got to emerse ourselves in their rich history and learn one on one with the people and their culture. We explored the religious aspects of Salvador as well as the music and multiple different styles of Samba. We learned their history through museums, music, dancing, and the amazing people and teachers we met. GCAC makes sure we are learning and to make sure it is something everyone will enjoy. It is a deep dive into what makes Salvador, Salvador. I got once in a lifetime fulfillment and experiences through this trip and lessons I will never forget!

I had a life changing experience on this trip! I learned so much about a different culture and lifestyle, music, and life lessons in general. The leader of this trip made it so much easier. This got me out of my comfort zone by far, and I don’t think I’d have done it without such excellent leadership and guidance. I loved this experience and so glad I did it!