Global Works

It’s safe to say that this trip was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I had no clue what to expect when I first arrived. I could tell each and every one of us was excited and nervous, which made it so easy to meet each other and form friendships. Our trip leaders were incredible; helping us adjust, leading us through the day, and always being there if we had questions or needed help. I was lucky to go on a trip with such an amazing group of kids. I met people from all around who shared my interests and were open-minded to getting to know everyone and creating long-lasting relationships. The service was an eye-opening experience. I was touched by the sense of community and love the people who I met valued so much. It was clear how hard they worked, not only to rebuild their own houses but others as well. We enjoyed working as one big group. There was always something to do and help out with, and it felt good to know that the people we worked with truly appreciated our help. The service was an integral and unforgettable part of the trip, but so were the other countless activities and late nights we spent together. Kayaking in the bioluminescent bay was so fun, and an amazing way to end our trip. Our trips to the beaches every day led to a lot of laughs and memories. The nights we spent in the Big Yellow House are something that I will always remember! We had a bake-off, played countless games, volleyball, and lounged around listening to music. You could always find someone to talk to and something to do. We took a dance class, had a karaoke night, and spent one night learning about the culture of Puerto Rico. My trip was so enriching and fun, and I am so grateful I got to experience it with incredible people. I would definitely recommend this trip, or any trip Global Works offers, to anyone who wants to meet new people, learn about cultures, and spend an amazing time somewhere new!

Before discovering Global Works and this trip, I was searching for a summer activity that I could attend that satisfied my love for traveling while also serving as a way to help a community in need. Fortunately, I decided to go to Puerto Rico. The trip was amazing! It allowed me to make so many friends, experience a new culture, serve a community, gain travel experience, and to overall learn more about myself. Before going on the trip, I knew almost nothing about Puerto Rico or the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria, but after attending the trip, I returned home with incredible eye-opening stories and experiences to share. The trip leaders were all amazing and truly wanted to get to know each and every traveler and make sure everyone was healthy and actively engaged in service and the experiences. All information before the trip was clearly provided and made my parents feel more comfortable with letting me travel alone to the Caribbean, and I was able to call my parents daily, which they appreciated. If you are wondering whether or not you should go, I would 100% recommend this trip!

When I signed up for this trip, I wanted a chance to get up close to nature, hike and see amazing views, and get to kayak by animals. I was fortunate to get to do all of this and more on the trip! The itinerary was the right amount of urban and outdoors. We stayed in the city to do all the touristy stuff and service work, but still got to see the pacific ocean and pretty rainforests. The leaders, Adam and Sarah, were absolutely fantastic. They gave everyone a sense of support on the trip and made me feel safe and comfortable. Both were just very likable people. During the trip I noticed a lot of the kids here went because they had enough money to blow 6 grand to get community service hours. They were all from upper class and private school backgrounds, and said some very questionable things (Including many slurs, derogatory terms, and LOTS of homophobic, misogynistic, and antisemitic jokes). The group made me feel downright unsafe at some points. The leaders did everything in their power to help, and I appreciate that a lot. Being that almost everyone was like that, I sense it might be a pattern throughout various trips by Global Works. Just proceed with caution, and be prepared to stick to yourself for two weeks!

My Global Works trip was truly inspiring, the leaders were great, and I had an amazing time. When I think of my Global Works trip, it’s my home stay that comes to mind. It was really fun to go through your day with another family from another culture, eat food with them, play with their kids, even go to work with them...it was awesome to be part of a Costa Rican household. I never thought I would learn to catch 20-pound tilapia or harvest star fruit, avocados and mangos on my host family's farm (and, I didn't know that limes could be green on the outside and orange on the inside!). I thought the kids in my group were all really authentic, creative, and open-minded about trying new things and activities. I felt like we really built a community together. I would do this trip again...a thousand times over!

This trip brought me close with not only the other kids, but the communities in Costa Rica. I am still in contact with all of my trip-mates and with my host family. The people I met and experiences I had are things that I will never forget. I learned so much about how lucky I am to be who I am and have access to healthcare when so many people struggle to even see a doctor. They were always so grateful for our presence and the joy everyone felt the whole trip is unforgettable.

My experience in Costa Rica can't really be accurately described in words. The trip was amazing, breathtaking, challenging, fun, emotional, unique, etc. The words I can use to describe my trip can go on forever, but how much they can really capture of the trip is limited. The leaders were absolutely wonderful, as were my group members and my experience overall. Each leader brought something different to the table that was critical to our trip. Flora was organized and always super positive, Chalo was understanding, caring, and knowledgeable, and Nohelia was hilarious, loving and all-knowing. Our group had a special and unique dynamic that was something I had never experienced before. We were all very close with each other fairly early on; a TSA officer even asked if a few of us were siblings when we were returning from the trip at the Houston airport! The parts of the trip that weren't super fun (like sitting on a plane for two hours that was grounded due to weather or a seven hour layover at the Houston airport) all pale in comparison to the countless moments that I will always remember. Seeing a sloth white water rafting, hiking through the cloud forests, swimming in hot springs, playing cards with my host family and little sisters, and surfing on Playa Uvita. These moments are just a few in an ocean of memories that I hold onto. I miss the community of Cedral and how kind everyone was. I miss trying to communicate with locals through my limited Spanish and lots of hand gestures. I miss the "Pura Vida" lifestyle of Costa Rica's citizens. Global Works provided me with an authentic experience of Costa Rica where I could immerse myself in both culture and language. The service work was challenging, but rewarding; I learned how to make concrete and pour foundation for a cabin we built with the locals of Cedral. I am truly lucky to have been able to go on such a unique trip, and I cannot recommend an experience like this enough. Thank you Global Works Travel!

I had such an amazing time travelling with Global Works to Costa Rica! In just the short 15 days that I spent there, my language skills grew like crazy, I developed a bunch of relationships that I will never forget, and I ate some of the best food I've ever had. Leading up to the trip, I was pretty nervous. I didn't know if I was bringing the right stuff, I didn't know how my language skills would fare in a community full of native speakers, I didn't know what the people would be like, and most of all I didn't know what it would be like to be away from home for two weeks. However, all my worries melted away once I met my group at the airport! My trip leaders, Camille and Randall, were super cool! They were the perfect mix of instructive yet laid back, and they made the experience flow so smoothly. From all of Randall's jokes and funny noises to Camille's fascinating tidbits about culture and just life in general, there was never a boring moment on the trip. The group that I traveled with became my little family while I was there. It's fun looking back on the trip and realizing how powerful trying new things can be. You make new friends and get to know yourself a lot better. Also, not having our phones really facilitated these friendships because it forced us to get comfortable with the uneasiness that comes with a new environment. I thought I wouldn't be able to last without my phone, but now I'm honestly so glad that we couldn't have them. We had so many cool experiences on the trip. We went ziplining, visited a cheese farm and made cheese, went surfing, taught an English class, helped build a day school, and so much more. My favorite part by far was the homestay. Two other girls and I stayed with a wonderful family at Futuro. We called our host mom Mama Carmen and she had four daughters, one of which who lived with her. Mama Carmen made the most delicious food ever. As a true foodie, I loved cooking with her and gathering recipes. By the end of the trip, we had so many inside jokes and shared memories together. The language barrier that I was so worried about leading up to the trip was not even a problem. We were completely able to communicate, even if I didn't always understand Mama Carmen and she didn't always understand me. I noticed that coming back from the trip, my Spanish-speaking skills had improved immensely. Before the trip, I was afraid to speak Spanish outside of class. Now, I speak it every chance I get - which is very helpful living in Arizona. Overall, I had a blast in Costa Rica. I gained new friendships, language skills, cultural knowledge, and respect for hard work. The connections that I made with the people from my trip still remain, even though we're separated by thousands of miles. This Global Works trip has opened me up to so many new things and given me lots of perspective on the lives of others. I would 100 percent recommend a Global Works trip to anyone who's looking to travel and experience new cultures, all while having loads of fun. It will definitely be a decision that you won't regret!

Traveling to Costa Rica with Global Works was a truly amazing experience. It's honestly difficult to put into words. It changed me mentally and emotionally, and it is an experience I will never forget. Even now I look back on memories, photos, souvenirs, notes and drawings that I have kept from the trip, and can't fully take in how much the trip meant to me. I built strong bonds with the people on the trip, tried new foods, took risks, and emerged myself into a beautiful culture. Plus, the Costa Rica environment was gorgeous. I felt like I was able to experience so much in just the one week I was there. Living at home in a place almost the polar opposite of Costa Rica, seeing wildlife like toucans, monkeys, snakes, giant spiders, and the turtles especially was breathtaking. During the trip, we also helped at ASTOP, a sea turtle conservation program. The work we did there was both gratifying and eye opening. After coming back from the trip, I was more open minded. My mindset on life was changed. I feel so lucky that I got to experience Costa Rica with Global Works. Their program is extremely well planned and it helped me learn about so many different things.

The Galapagos easily one of the biggest and most important things I've ever done. It was beautiful and I loved everything we did and saw. We saw the most friendly and amazing wildlife in the world, and saw beautiful mountains, deserts and the ocean. The group was super friendly and helpful and taught us all about the islands. I wish I could go back because I've never been somewhere more amazing.

It's hard to put into words the fantastic experience I had during this trip. It was indeed one of the best weeks I ever had. I was a little bit nervous about going on this trip. I had been on missions trips before, but they were never outside the states. I was so glad to have had the people I was with during the week because it made the experience so much better. By the end, we became like one big family. Even though many live on the other side of the country, I still talk and text them every day. Not only were the people so much fun to hang out, but the work that we did for the community felt so rewarding. We filled a floor and a wall full of cement, and even though it was hard work, it was so worth it. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who loves to do hard work and love to meet people from all across the country.

During my time in Peru, I was able to fully immerse myself in the culture and take away from all the amazing opportunities the country had to offer. Every day was a new adventure where we met new people, tried new foods and created lasting memories. With the work we did, we got to see the first hand the effects we had on the communities and schools. From learning to make adobe bricks, to working alongside villagers in the mountains of Kajillarakay, we were able to see the true extent of our capabilities when working towards a goal. Throughout the trip we continued to bond and build relationships with each other. During our homestays, we got to practice our Spanish with our welcoming families and create lasting connections with them. They took us under their wing as their own, showing us how to cook Peruvian dishes and telling us about their lives. Every moment spent in Peru was one to remember, as we all have taken so much away from this once in a lifetime experience. The trip leaders were amazing, always there to talk to me when I needed help. It was nearly impossible to feel homesick as we were constantly chatting and having fun as a group. From the memorable bus rides of singing and playing the ukulele to hiking up to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu, our adventure in Peru could not have been better. The two weeks flew by way too fast, and by the end, our goodbyes felt impossible. The hardest part was accepting that for many of us, we would go from seeing each other everyday to not at all. I know we all can agree that our trip with Global Works was definitely one for the books, and a time none of us will every forget. We were so lucky to be able to have had this experience and hopefully encourage others to embark on adventures of their own with Global Works. I cannot thank Global Works enough for the impact this trip has had on me and all the memorable bonds and irreplaceable friends I have made!

Before the trip I was nervous and did not know what to expect. After arriving the counselors were very welcoming along with the rest of the kids. Together we all figured out what to expect for the next week. We had lots of time to get to know each other and do other fun activities. We did not work the whole trip but did work enough to see the impact that we made on the community. The people that we helped were very welcoming and glad that we were there to help. They told use how the hurricane affected them and were even able to show us pictures. By the end of the first day of work we were one big family. By the end of the trip we had bonded with the people who we were helping and were forever grateful that they gave us such an opportunity. The counselors were great people who were very knowledgeable about Puerto Rico itself and the day to day agenda. I truly believe that the counselors greatly and positively impacted the trip from their great playlists whilst we were mixing cement or just going out and buying us snacks and water to keep us hydrated. I have no regrets about this trip and hope to do another one soon.

After a month of searching I found Global Works on Go Abroad and this program was the best choice I could have made. I got to travel the country and experience so many different cultures and service opportunities. I feel so incredibly privileged to have had the leaders I did. Carlos and Perri were both very helpful in every possible way. I always felt safe both physically and emotionally. We visited the three biggest cities in the country (Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia). I got to work along side of a community of only 22 people in a village outside of Palencia called Amayuelas. I got to help their local farm and made adobe bricks out of mud and hay. Additionally, I got to see and explore buildings and other structures, some dating back to over 2,000 years. The aqueduct in Segovia was most impressive to me. My favorite part of the trip was the fact that we didn't have our phones. We got to get to know each other more and played group games we might not have thought to play. Overall an extremely rewarding experience.

As the parent of high school students who have traveled with Global Works as well as another group, I would highly recommend Global Works Study. From the first encounter, asking questions, getting information, navigating the process, etc. it was all simple and detailed. I was able to ask questions and get responses quickly and accurately. Once my son was on the trip, updates were frequent and were written by the students, with photos attached! Flights were easy to book and the group leaders were easy to find at the meeting airport location. Loved that the group leader called us before the trip to introduce herself and ask if we had any questions. My son's (16 years old, going into Junior year of high school) said his favorite part was the homestay...made friends for life!

I had an incredible time going on the Hurricane Maria Relief trip through Global Works. Before we even left for the trip, the advisors reached out just to get to know me a little more before the actual trip itself. This extra effort was great and made the introduction with everyone much easier. I loved working in the tight-knit Puerto Rican community of Villa del Rio. The staff at Global Works have built such great relationships with the community members that right away we were treated like family among the people of Villa del Rio. Fixing houses and listening to the many stories that the villagers had to share was so enriching and rewarding. While rebuilding and repairing houses was the focus of the trip, we were able to also participate in many other activities. Touring Old San Juan, going to the beach, and swimming in crystal clear water in the middle of the forest were a few of the many amazing activities we were able to participate in. Overall, I had an absolutely amazing time on this trip and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone looking to have an amazing travel experience!

This trip was a beautiful and life changing experience. I was blown away by the opportunities I was able to have and people I met. My Spanish improved and I have a better understanding of the clinics in Costa Rica. The people I met on this trip were absolutely amazing and I made lifelong friends. One of the best parts was staying in the home stays with a family that spoke only Spanish. Getting to take a look into the daily life of people in a totally different living situation was eye opening for all of us. I would reccommend this trip to anyone who wants to learn more about public health and Costa Rican culture!

The program was amazing, it was very cohesive and easy to navigate. The staff was very fun to talk to and hangout with. They were great people and very protective of us, but they also gave us the freedom we need as teenagers. We got to go to clinics and shadow them and throw ourselves into the language and the culture. The people in the village that we met at the homestays were so nice to us and they honestly felt like a second family to me. My best advice to people joining is that I know no matter how much we say don't worry about the homestays, you're still going to worry. I know because I was the same way. However, the homestays were one of the greatest parts about the trip because the families are just so happy to have you and they do their very best to welcome you into their home. Keep your mind open to new cultures and try to learn as much as you can for as long as you're there. After my trip, I've been obsessed with studying abroad and I want to go anywhere and everywhere and I want to learn what the whole world has to offer.

My Global Works trip was a life changing experience. I went on the Spain Language and Leadership trip. The three week trip was amazing. We formed friendships and learned how to better our global community. Our trip started in Madrid and ended in Barcelona. In between, we visited medieval castles in Segovia and kayaked in Sebucor. We worked on an organic farm in Almuyeas and learned the importance of growing produce with no pesticides, better for the environment and us! We also learned how to make bread, a fun process with a delicious end result. Next we went to the Valencia and learned about how rice patties had destroyed a natural biome of the wetlands. We saw first hand the pollution of the wetlands but did our share to clean up the trash in the water. It may not sound so, but we also had fun. We rewarded ourselves with a dip in the beautiful ocean, which was warm and the color of blue beach glass. The next day, we made traditional Valenciano paella and took a Flamenco dance class. Our trip ended in the beautiful city of Barcelona. We had the amazing opportunity to see a live Flamenco show, which was awesome, especially after having taken a class a few days earlier. The next day we visited the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece, which has been under construction for 128 years, and still not finished. It was stunning and the stained glass windows that reflected color into the Cathedral itself were my favorite part. Between discovering Spain and its incredible culture and food, practicing and improving my Spanish, and meeting new people and making incredible friends, this trip was an experience of a lifetime, one I will cherish and remember forever. I loved my counselors and thought they were great trip leaders, keeping us engaged, informed, immersed in Spanish language and always amused. My group was fantastic and there were lots of hugs and tears at the airport. I can’t wait for my next Global Works trip!

Going on this trip was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. Global Works was super easy to work with and made me feel super prepared going into my trip. The leaders were great ( shoutout to Perri, Taylor, and Randall! ) and I felt very well taken care of, while also having fun, the entire time. My Spanish greatly improved this trip and I enjoyed all of the experiences we had! The zipline experience had such great views and it was so cool to able to do something so special with a great group of people. The homestay experience was something unlike anything I had ever done before and was one of my favorite parts of the trip! The homestay community was so welcoming and my family was so sweet and welcoming. I felt so proud at the end of the week when I looked at all of the work that we accomplished on the community center and all of the relationships we had formed, The friends that I made on this trip are some of the best friends I've ever had. I was with such an awesome group and I'm still talking to them nonstop! Our final days were spent surfing and hanging out on the beach, which was a perfect end to such an amazing trip! The beach was beautiful and made me want to stay in Costa Rica with this awesome group for my whole summer. Overall, this was such a wonderful experience and I can't wait for my next Global Works trip!

Starting out practicing digging our own holes and navigating to find our "turtle"(shoe) eggs we got to experience the life of a mama sea turtle. We then maped out diagramed and took measurements of our nest that we digged in the sand to practice locating nests. We then released baby sea turtles on the beach and watched them enter the ocean to begin there new life! Amazing journey not to mention the people team, and staff that made this trip possible(:

I cannot begin to express how much fun I had in Costa Rica. As soon as we arrived, the group of students automatically clicked, and friendships only grew stronger as the trip progressed. Even though our trip was changed from Nicaragua to Costa Rica relatively last minute, we still were able to work in multiple clinics and get real insight into the healthcare system in Costa Rica. Our service in the clinics included working with pharmacists to fill prescriptions, sitting in on examination rooms, observing a physiologist, and checking people in. During the homestay portion of the trip, it was amazing to enter into a rural community, and interact with the people our service prescriptions would actually be affecting. After living with our homestay families for 5 nights, saying goodbye was extremely difficult. Even a month later, I still miss my homestay family, along with other residents of the community that we grew close to. Going into the trip, though I was not 100% fluent in Spanish, the trip leaders and other students made active communication with community members and the clinic staff easy. Over the trip, I made many lasting friendships and came home with a greatly improved ability to speak and understand Spanish.

Absolutely amazing experience ! Global works is awesome and life changing . Having the opportunity to volunteer my time and meet new people and experience new cultures is always amazing . Costa Rica is a great place , people are warm and welcoming , so much to see and experience , zip Lining through the forest was incredible and teaching the community memebers a little English was a lot of fun , would definitely do it again!

Going on a trip to another country without my family was something I had never done before this trip with Global Works and I am so thankful I did. This trip was one of the most amazing and memorable experiences I have ever had, and I tried so many new things. I snorkeled for the first time, and swam with so many really cool sea creatures, including sharks, which had previously been a fear of mine. I had thought I would miss my family, but my trip leaders, Jason and Katie, were awesome and so much fun. While on the Galapagos Islands, I was a boat, bus, and plane ride away from home, but my trip leaders and the island guides not only made me feel safe, but were a great support system throughout the trip. My time on this trip was spent making a ton of new friends from all over the United States, many of whom I'm still in touch with now. There was never a boring moment on the trip, and we had incredible activities planned everyday, most of which I wouldn't be able to do anywhere else in the world. We wrote about them and posted online each day (with photos) so our families could see all the fun we were having. The first day we went to Papallacta's natural hot springs, which was very relaxing, and later on, we hiked up the Sierra Negra volcano - which made for some incredible photos. While the trip was full of expeditions and trips all over the islands, we also did volunteer work on the island of Isabela to help the local community and the tortoises. Our group stayed and worked at Campo Duro , where there was a huge field in between all of the tents we stayed in. When we weren't working, we played cards and spent time around a fire just relaxing and having fun. (Tip: remember to pack cards and small, fun games.) While all of this was incredibly fun, my most memorable experience was our last day of snorkeling. After getting wetsuits and snorkeling gear, we took a boat ride to go to our final activity. We jumped off the boat and began swimming around to spot the many different animals. In the end, our group saw a sea horse, stingrays, sharks, a penguin, fish that seemed to be neon, and many, many sea turtles. These animals swam right past me and some even right next to me. They were unaffected by our presence, and I had never seen anything like it. The weather was perfect the entire 10 days I spent there. On the trip, I was finally able to put to use my years of Spanish classes. We spoke Spanish often - with our trip leaders and guides, people in the communities we worked and stayed with, shopkeepers in Quito, and with each other. My school Spanish was actually pretty good - and at times a bit embarrassing, but it just added to the laughter! I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to experience Ecuador's culture and highly recommend the Galapagos Island trip with Global Works.

Throughout my journey to Nicaragua with Global works, there was never a moment that we weren't being challenged and inspired. There were an endless amount of once-in-a-lifetime adventures that made this trip truly unforgettable. Our first destination was at a quiet hostel on Laguna de Apoyo in Managua. As the group and I were released from our morning activities and ventured into the warm, blue lake, we pretty much immediately became friends. Together we smiled and splashed in amazement of the natural beauty in Nicaragua. The worry-free atmosphere surrounded us and kept the group close for the duration of the trip. I quickly fell in love with Nicaragua. Passing through small local towns, ordering delicious Mangos at street stands, arriving at another resort on the beach that had the most astounding view of the endless horizon I had ever seen- every moment was filled with happiness. But the best part of Nicaragua was the people. Nicaragua is home to the most cheerful and amiable people I have ever met. When we first arrived at the clinics in Matagalpa, the local children loved to smile at everything. There were times when we would be doing our community service around the clinic and the children would ask to help just to be around us and laugh. Even the adults in the community tried to make small talk while we were in the doctor’s office waiting for the doctor to write a prescription. Everyone made us feel like family. Saying goodbye to Nicaragua was one of the saddest moments of the whole trip, but I came home from this Global Works trip with a new understanding and sensitivity to the issues facing Nicaragua and its neighbors today. I had a sense of confidence in my ability to adapt to new environments. And I felt more inspired to promote cultural appreciation and social change back in my U.S. community. This trip was truly such an amazing experience and I would definitely do something like it again in a heartbeat.

The Galápagos Marine Service Adventure was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. This was my first time out of the country, and I felt safe, excited, and welcomed by counselors and fellow travelers. Every summer I go to one or more summer camps, but this one was like none of the summer camps I have ever been a part of. The landscapes were breathtaking, the housing was rustic and beautiful, the people were so friendly, the wildlife was very unique, and our counselors brought important topics up for discussion every evening. As a group, we discussed privilege, adversity, diversity, and how to positively impact our communities with the lessons we learned from nature and other experiences in the Galápagos. One thing I learned was to be grateful for my many privileges and to use those privileges to better my community and help others. I was also reminded that community service is not for hours or potential scholarships, but an act of kindness that should teach the volunteer a lesson and give them a sense of community.

Two of our children have been on this trip (one 3 years ago and one summer of 2017) and both loved it! They are very different individuals and the fact that both of them came home so excited is a huge endorsement to the trip leaders and experiences they gained! Kudos to Global Works!

During our time in Peru, we not only got to learn about the Peruvian culture and visit breathtaking historical sites such as Machu Picchu and Saqsaywaman, but we also got to engage in community service work. From working at a local public school for special needs kids to helping build a dormitory for school girls, every single experience was rewarding and unique. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who is interested!

Naturally, I was really scared to go out of the country for 3 weeks without my family. And it felt unreal that I was traveling across the world as I was getting on the plane, but the whole group clicked immediately and I already felt at home. As you adventure throughout Spain and see cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Segovia, and Sebulcor, you get to know the Spanish language and culture. On top of sightseeing, you get to participate in fun activities, like kayaking, swimming at beaches, hiking, and bike riding throughout the cities. You also earn 40 hours of community service, as you work on wildlife and environmental preservation, wetlands, and living in a sustainable community. Although it's hard to narrow it down to just one, one of my favorite memories from the Spain was when we went on a hike after working at a children's camp for the morning. It was hot and we were all tired at first, but when we got to the top, which overlooked a pretty, blue lake, we realized every moment was worth it. We swam around and ended up discovering a cave which we climbed into and cooled off, as the most beautiful waterfall rained over us.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was how much exposure we got with the Costa Rican culture. Living with host families and working with the locals gave each individual first hand experience and built an understanding of different ways of life. The locals welcomed us with open arms and really made the experience unforgettable. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in working on their Spanish abilities and channeling their inner adventurous spirit.

Earlier in the summer, I happily attended Global Work's Surf and Service program in the beautiful Costa Rica for a week. This was the best week of my life and one of the most life changing experiences I've ever had. I got to learn so much about the culture and the people there, and made so many friends from around the country who had such similar interests as I do. I also had the privilege of helping out the locals with community projects and everyone was so thankful for everything and anything we did, it felt so good to even help out a little. I also learned so much great life advice and more from my trip leaders, who felt more like friends to me which made everything that much more comfortable and fun. I am forever thankful and grateful I was able to experience something as amazing as this trip was at the young age I'm at and learn as much as I did. Global Works provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and I would 100% recommend any trip for anyone who loves or wants to travel, learn, or have fun.

Not only does this trip give you an unbelievable immersion of a third world Spanish speaking country, you are given the opportunity to make life-long friends and relationships that you will cherish forever. It's been almost two months and I still talk to some of the group members everyday. Definitely recommend!

This is what Global Works categorizes on their website as a "Summer Service Adventure." And every part of this title is accurate. This 17 day Premed/Public Health trip occurs during summer in Nicaragua. Don't forget to pack sunscreen and bug spray. It involves meaningful community service. You might shadow local physicians in clinics, help renovate a water tank in a rural village, and build a playground for children at a school. It involves being adventurous. Shop at a market. Stay with a local family. Go zip-lining over the rainforest. Put all of these elements together and you have an experience to remember. I traveled six weeks ago, and since then I have felt a fresh cultural awareness, an increased confidence in my abilities, and a desire to emulate the strength and goodwill of the people I encountered. As far as regrets about the trip? My host mom's handmade tortillas were so good that I now criticize the ones I'm forced to buy in the U.S. A valuable experience for any adventurous high school student. (P.S. You do not need premed experience or Spanish skills to go on this trip. If it sounds great to you, and you're willing to learn, go ahead. Happy traveling!)

I've done a fair bit of traveling with my family, and while those experiences were enjoyable, this program was the most memorable trip I've ever taken. From the trip leaders- who were supportive, relaxed, and pretty good with dealing with twenty teenagers- to the activities we did, the entire program was incredible. I met wonderful people just like me from all around the country (and abroad!) who I made lasting friendships and memories with. The trip was a perfect balance of education, service, and fun- from the incredible snorkeling to building a community garden. My only regret about this trip was not taking another sooner!

Travelling with Global Works to France was an immensely gratifying and enjoyable experience that introduced me to French culture and helped me to improve my conversational skills. I couldn't have asked for better group leaders; both of them were responsible, very fun to be around, and genuinely cared about our well being. In the beginning of the trip, when nobody knew each other, their activities allowed us to quickly acclimate to each other and the language. When a few of the students unfortunately stepped on sea urchins at the beach, the leaders responded professionally and made sure the injured were well taken care of. The volunteer opportunities, which included the restoration of the ancient canals of Cabrespine during our home stay and working with children in Versailles, were very fruitful experiences. They reminded me that the purpose of the trip was not just a selfish one; that we were helping the community in a way that could not have happened if it weren't for volunteer groups such as ours. Probably the best part of the trip was the home stay. Our family was very caring and considerate of the challenges of an immersion environment; they knew to speak more slowly and clearly so that we could understand and helped us if we were having trouble finding the right word. Our family made an effort to make the stay exciting and comfortable, with many sight-seeing trips to the town, and a memorable soccer match between France and Portugal. Through the homestay, I was able to practice French with real French people and further my comprehension and learn language skills that cannot be learned in a classroom. While I certainly greatly improved my French language and conversational skills during the homestay and volunteer work, I felt that it was not entirely immersion within the group. This was mostly due to the varying ability levels of French within the group, ranging from 1 year to my 9 years of French. I would probably choose a narrower range of language ability so that all of the students can feel comfortable in the target language.

This is a parent review of France: Language and Leadership from July 5-July 20, 2016. My 16 year-old son, who is a native English speaker has been taking French since first grade. We had been to France twice with him but a few days traveling as tourists was not enough to practice his French and to get to know the culture intimately and deeply. Global Works provided him not just the full immersion in the language but it also offered him a glimpse of what life in Carcassonne, a quaint, medieval, picturesque town in Southern France was like. Not only did he immersed himself in the language but Global Works' experienced staff led him and his group to service learning through environmental reclamation and working in a summer camp for French children! Specifically, my husband and I enjoyed reading the travel blogs provided on Global Works' website. The pictures on the blog were also quite precious since it provided us an idea about what the program was really about. Overall, he thoroughly had a great time and we, as parents are quite satisfied with how Global Works provided him with a meaningful, productive and memorable summer!

As usual, Global Works orchestrated an excellent experience! I learned about the native people of New Zealand, how to travel with others who are not like me, and life in a third world county. The people of both places were kind, but the love I was shown in Fiji was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The leaders were fantastic and diverse! The only unpleasant part of my trip were my peers. Although I was friends with some of them, most of them were suffering from acute cases of affluenza. Global Works is a fantastic company, but if you want to travel with a really dedicated group of people, take an immersion trip to somewhere that will only be appealing to real travelers, like the month long language immersion trips or any of true trips to developing countries.

I could not have been happier with my Global Works experience! Everything from the first day name games to the good-byes went smoothly. Everyone attending had an excellent attitude towards learning a new language and learning more about themselves. Because of this trip, I am far more confident than I could have ever imagined, and I can't wait to bring my new confidence and knowledge to other parts of my life.