Globe Aware

There was plenty of time to experience various tours and engage in the culture. Really enjoyed having lunches and dinners with local families. Honestly, the whole experience was amazing - culture, volunteering, food, people. - CHAD JONES

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Globe Aware was so helpful from the pre-departure to the arrival. Really a beyond-the-expected experience. I will definitely do a volunteer travel each year. I volunteered in Merida, Mexico and it was a trip of a lifetime. I really connected with the locals, I swam in beautiful cenotes every day, and explore the Mayapan ruins etc.. I helped the surrounding community rebuild a school. I definitely recommend this kind of experience to anyone curious and who is seeking meaningful trips.

I'm a retired teacher and it was my first time heading to Cuba, overall I understand travel hasn't been happening much, so there were a few hiccups with making everything run smoothly. For example, getting into Cuba, all the documents became quite confusing. I'm grateful Globe Aware team assisted me with figuring everything out, and their coordinator, Sergio was very friendly and helpful. Lovely experience on the island, looking forward to doing more.

It was my second time to Costa Rica, but first time to Orosi! Beautiful location, Federico was so helpful and funny! Enjoyed the hospitality and interesting cultural landmarks. I also got to see a sloth on the property, which totally made my day! I enjoyed my week there,

My first time in Mexico was nothing short of amazing! Not only did I make life-long friends in the small communities I did projects in, but I got to experience the magical cenotes, diverse wildlife, and delicious homemade meals! I can not recommend this experience to others!

We had some friends who had already done this trip with Globe Aware so we thought we knew what to expect. But once you are there the surroundings just take your breath away. We stayed at a rented house that had unbelievable views of the lush, green mountains. We really enjoyed helping out to build a community center for the entire town. We worked hard but had plenty of breaks. Also, the food was to die for. So many new things we tried and most of them were absolutely great. What made our trip even better was Federico, the guide who was there with us either driving us, talking with us, explaining things, guiding us in the work and even cooking for us. I already told our friends that we should do another trip with Global Aware but we should do it together. Helping out the people of Costa Rica was a very enriching experience and I can't wait to do it again.

This has been a great experience. I loved Costa Rica and the program. Will definitely be back maybe for another program. Federico was a great host and the house we stayed in felt like a resort. I had a great time and enjoyed the scenery, projects and the local people we met and came to know. Happy to have been able to have this opportunity with such amazing people.

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For my first service abroad trip, I could not have asked for a better experience. I was blessed with a wonderful group, a wonderful guide, and a wonderful community to work with. My favorite experience was getting to know the people of the La Flor community. They were the most genuine, giving & thoughtful people. Without speaking Spanish well, I could still communicate with smiles and gestures, as they did too, and I could feel how sweet they all were. Doing service projects for their community made me feel like I was leaving some of myself with them. Personally I grew on this trip. I learned a lot about myself and others. I built relationships. But most of all I was inspired. Coming back to the U.S. was an adjustment, I could have stayed in Costa Rica and volunteered forever. I miss it tremendously. But I'm glad I have the memories I do.

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I traveled alone for a week in Costa Rica. Of course I was trepidatious about the trip. Happily it was a wonderful experience. I was not able to speak the language but felt comfortable communicating with the help of the coordinator. Everyone was welcoming, non judgmental and happy to feed me and show me their world. You realize that their smaller accommodations are actually freeing not limiting. They enjoy nature and their families with no concerns about updating their homes or redecorating ( such first world problems). I had ample time to relax on the beautiful grounds. Additionally day trips to experience activities of my choosing rounded out a fully enjoyable trip.

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The Globe Aware program in Cuzco, Peru was one of the most fulfilling, giving, and inspiring trips that I have taken, and I've visited 28 countries. During the week we became so close to our host Rosio, her family, and the kids at the Albergue, we felt like we were leaving our family, so it was hard to say goodbye. If you're looking to immerse yourself in the culture, to learn about the people and the history of the land, this program gives you a chance to do that. Your volunteer week will start with two days of exploring Cuzco and its surroundings while guided by your incredibly knowledgable host. The work week is thoroughly thought out and you know exactly what you're doing every hour, down to your rest time (because you'll need it in the high altitude). The food... we cannot say enough about how authentic, fresh, and delicious the food was! Every day it was something different; from quinoa battered chicken fingers to stuffed peppers, and daily served with savory soup. Mid week you will get a chance to visit Machu Picchu, reason why everyone comes to Peru! We were able to also squeeze in an additional hike to Rainbow Mountain after our last day with the program so if you have an extra day or two, it's worth the trip! If you're a first time traveler, a family, or a seasoned traveler, you will feel safe, taken care of, and inspired by what this program offers. I've traveled with Globe Aware to Ghana and Peru and feel they will do everything in their power to ensure you're ready, safe, and well taken care of.

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It's impossible to convey the experience you'll have spending a week with the elephants, mahouts, staff, and volunteers of the Surin Project. Of the 12 volunteers (in our case from the US, UK, and Germany), 5 had volunteered before and they were staying for multiple weeks. I understand why; it's a wonderfully transformative experience. There are some great videos on YouTube and Vimeo that past volunteers have put together. Just search for Surin Project and you will get a sense of what it's like. A typical day involves having breakfast, doing some light labor for 1-2 hours, going on a walk with the elephants through the forest, having lunch in a local roadside restaurant, enjoying a little free time (find a wifi spot, go shopping), then observing the elephants in an enclosure area or feeding and bathing them in a river. There's a little time before dinner, and the Thai food is delicious--cooked keeping volunteers' food preferences in mind (allergies, vegetarian/vegan options, etc). There's usually an early evening activity and time to hang out with volunteers before bed. The people are awesome and being up close with elephants is amazing and surprisingly peaceful. We will probably return in a couple of years. Many of the volunteers we were there with have been back each year. It's like nothing else you'll ever do. A few potential cautions. If you don't do well in the heat this might not be a trip for you. The accommodations include a bed on the floor of a clean wooden home (2-3 volunteers per home) with a mosquito net and 3 speed fan. The shower is a pail you scoop from a barrel. My teenage daughter was bummed when we arrived; within 12 hours it was no big deal. If these things matter to you, they'll become non-issues once you start hanging out with the elephants. We go on a volunteer trip abroad every year - Morocco, Thailand, Peru, Costa Rica. All have been special, but the week with The Surin Project through Globe Aware is our favorite. Extremely cost effective as well, even with air fare thrown in.

My experience in Cuba was absolutely amazing, and having Andres as our Volunteer Guide definitely contributed to that. He is very welcoming and makes you feel comfortable. It's not easy managing a group of people, and Andres did a great job communicating with each of us, keeping to the agenda, and making sure we had fun. Our volunteer activities included cleaning up a community garden, spending time with children with down syndrome, and playing dominoes with the elderly. These were all beautiful experiences, and the one that really stuck out to me the most was when we spent time with the children. We colored with them, laughed with them, and danced with them. Many of us couldn't speak Spanish fluently and it was amazing to have still created a special bond with them. I'm very thankful to have gone on this trip, and I can't wait to go back. See you later, Cuba.

We had a wonderful experience in Cuba with our amazing guide, Andre. A lot of the activities involved understanding and immersing ourselves in the culture, which was highly enjoyable. We met with some mothers of children with Downs syndrome and assisted with a landscaping project. It gave us a chance to really get to know some of the people and their struggles. We stayed in people's homes in an area that not many tourists would venture to on their own, and felt totally safe. A lot of this trip is more "voluntourism", which was great for someone who wants to have a little fun instead of working intensely on a specific project. If you are looking for something where you are working all the time this would not be your trip, but if you enjoy the camaraderie of others who are open minded and want to fully experience the Cuban culture, this is your trip!

In September of 2014, I completed an assignment with Globe Aware at an orphanage near Siem Reap. it was my first trip to Cambodia and was a wonderful experience. The in country hosts met me at the airport and was with me daily. The children and teacher at the orphanage were tremendously happy to have me there and it was very rewarding working with the children on their English speaking skills. We completed simple projects including a chicken coop, garden and construction of a compost bin. We also spent time assembling wheelchairs and distributed to elderly people in a nearby village. I will never forget the looks of genuine gratitude from the recipients. Since then I have completed 9 other volunteer projects and this summer hope to take my grand daughter on her first international trip to Romania. We are very excited!!

I traveled to Ghana as a solo traveler in this program and was a little nervous going alone. I have never felt more welcome and useful in my life. By the end of the first day the entire village knew me and called out to me as I walked passed. The children greeted me daily at the school so excited and exuberant. I fell so in love with Ghana that I started a project to raise money to feed the kindergarten children in the village we stayed in. And it completely changed my perspective about living in community and how wonderful it is to do so - and how fortunate we are in America but also sometimes very isolated from our neighbors as we go through our daily routine. Ghana touched my heart and completely changed my life.

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I've traveled twice to Cambodia thru this program. Both were amazing adventures. The people are so wonderfully kind and gracious. Our guide did a fantastic job of showing us the culture and making us feel like family. We loved the time we spent teaching the children and playing with them. We were able to build wheelchairs for people disabled by landmines and personally give them to the people. It's a beautiful country and seeing it as a volunteer is a priceless experience.

Caring for Cuzco was a great volunteer and travel experience. We were able to stay in the children's home we worked in which was a great opportunity to spend time with the children. We rebuild the outdoor kitchen and also did medical and dental clinics. We were able to truly see the difference we made for the children and mountain communities we traveled to do clinics in. I highly recommend it. It's a totally different lifestyle - I felt completely safe with wonderful hospitality.

The food and accommodations were wonderful, the work was gratifying and our guide and host family were so warm and welcoming. Being immersed in the local community/culture was an invaluable experience that we will never forget. We worked hard but there was plenty of time to see the sights too. Everything was well organized and stress-free. We got so much more than we gave. Highly recommend this trip!

Romania was my first volunteer vacation and I really didn't know what to expect. I had travel internationally before, both for work and pleasure, however this was to be a truly unique experience. I was traveling alone, so I was open to whatever came my way. After making my way to Romania, meeting the host family, and other volunteers, I found my self in a wonderful environment. It didn’t take long for the group to bond and feel like family. We were able see so many beautiful sites that could only be experienced through a program like this. There was an overwhelming sense of authenticity that you just can not get with a traditional sightseeing vacation. The program work was rewarding and productive. Our organized leisure activities were steeped in history, education, and genuine Romanian culture. Our down time was spent with family style dinners and enjoying the wonderful weather. I can honestly say this was one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever taken and was left feeling grateful for the opportunity to this experience. I enjoyed myself so much that I plan on returning as soon as I can. I don’t see how anyone could not enjoy themselves in Romania.

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We went as a family and this was the best vacation we've been on. The program was so well run. The volunteer opportunities were really interesting, fun, and taught us a lot. The food and hotel were terrific and we loved hanging out with the other families on the trip. We also really liked the sight seeing. It really was the perfect vacation!