GoBeyond Student Travel

My son went to Australia with GoBeyond when he was 15. He had an unforgettable experience. GoBeyond is an amazing company, extremely well organized. They even help with booking the flight and all the details, and I didn't have to worry about anything. I can't say enough good things about them.

Go Beyond helped me to have the two best summers of my life. I have created life long friends all over the country. I plan on going back to Go Beyond BVI next year. I also think that the BVI GB is extra special because of how we travel with Action Quest. We get to meet so many more kids that seem to all have similarities. Go Beyond has allowed me to meet people that I would have never come in contact with in my life, if I had not come. I have crated so many friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. The service opportunities we had, ranged from building swing sets to catching turtles on Anagada. Each day was a new adventure that gave me insight to the lifestyle of the Islands. The trip helped me to see that I love the boat life, too. The British Virgin Islands mean so much to me, after going to Go Beyond these past two years.

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Both leaders were great and had an amazing outlook on the trip and on everyone. They were always excited and thrilled to be working with us and had amazing and useful information. he service projects really gave us and understanding fir the rainforest in Kuranada. What's best about GoBeyond? The experiences and friends you make.

GoBeyond taught me on this trip that service doesn't always have to be some grand, life-changing experience that produces instant results. I really learned that sometimes the little things matter too and need to be paid attention to. Sometimes our actions and serice don't give off instant reqards: some things are gradual. It also taught me that everything I do counts toward something. Like cleaning/Washing pots seemed unimportant, but to [our partner organization] it mattered and helped keep things organized. From learning this, I feel like I'll appreciate the little things at home a bit more now. Like if someone does something for me, even if it's small and seems trivial, I'll still appreciate that action and kindness. Ill also try to help people as much as I can even if the help I'm giving doesn't seem like much. The service also showed me that simplicity can be good too. I don't always need technology or things like that - sometimes being down to earth and helping others can be all that you need.

At GoBeyond I learned that the little things always count and by doing a bunch of little goods you can help in a much larger way. I learned that community service does not have to be boring and that I should be grateful that I was given the opportunity to help someone else. By looking at all of the people working and giving their own personal time to help. I learned that precision and hard work and willingness to give of your own time can actually go a really long way.

On every project I could see the impact that we had on the community around us. The staff made the projects fun and always explained what we were doing with very good instructions.I learned so much on this trip. From sailing to projects, I left the BVI with so much more knowledge compared to when I got there. The environment that we were in allowed me to meet so many new friends.

The service that we did made me feel like I was genuinely impacting the children’s lives and that there was a purpose for me to be there. The best part is the balance between down time, service, and excursions that we had. By not being with the group 24/7 we were able to truly explore and immerse ourselves in the Chinese culture.

I think the program ran super smoothly first and foremost. The counselors were fantastic and all of the adventures were exactly what I signed up for. I loved the small group dynamic as well I loved the group bonding experiences because it allowed me to feel more comfortable within the group and engage with others. I was also able to reflect about what I was doing while I was there which was unique and helped me really appreciate what I was doing. The group discussions helped me engage with myself and think about who I was and wanted to do. The best about it was that it had a great balance between service and fun exploring which is unique

GoBeyond & ActionQuest have been such a monumental part of my coming of age. I've learned and experienced so much that I wouldn't have elsewhere. You never really expect to gain so much and then you come home and realize how differently you see things. Friends, amazing staff members and unforgettable experiences. I could never get this volume of exposure with another program or just going abroad by myself. I feel so lucky to have met all these friends from around the country (and globe) and cannot imagine my life without them. It's also great to form connections with the staff members. Having a strong role model on the trip seems really important and has made the experience that much more meaningful.

The trip was overwhelmingly amazing! Being able to help the community provided such a big impact on my life. Knowing you can actually make a change is a feeling I will forever yearn for again. Very well organized and care and well being of the students is always the primary goal.

The students and group leaders were very nice and compassionate. The leaders were personable and great role models. The itinerary was engaging and had a perfect balance of work and fun. The balance between service and excursions was very well maintained. All the excursions were very fun, memorable, and some of the best parts of the trip.

This trip gave me the opportunity to learn new things, see new places, and meet new people that I wouldn’t have other wise. The service projects brought us face to face with some of the most dire problems in these communities. I got to know the locals very well through them. It gave me the opportunity to itch my travel bug, do meaningful work, and make incredible new relationships.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Ecuador and I believe that there are many things to be learned from it. It was an eye-opening experience for me, so I would hope that it would be the same for one of my friends. The accommodations exceeded my expectations. Although some of the projects might not have been as fun as the others, those were sometimes the most meaningful ones. LOVED the Galapagos excursions. Found myself eating the same types of foods over and over again, but once again the food exceeded my expectations. The guides were awesome. They were also a really good age to look after teenagers. Not too old to make them feel like parents, but also not too young and demanded our respect. They were not just looking after us, but they also wanted to make a difference which was motivating.

It is an incredible program where I discovered a lot about myself and my country, gained confidence, made life long lasting friends, and did community service that was tough but helped kids and a lot of people in different ways. Everything about GoBeyond was extremely good! I don't think there was ever anything bad.

My child had an amazing trip. She learned much about Iceland and the people who call it home. I asked her how this trip has changed her and she stated that she has become more environmentally aware and the natural landscape is something she will not ever forget. The bond that she formed with the other students on the trip was incredible. I think that she will keep in touch with many.

Going to Iceland with GoBeyond was the most amazing experience of my life. I met the greatest people in my group and went on so many adventures. The whole trip was planned perfectly and I have never had so much fun! There was truly time for everything we wanted to see. We saw waterfalls, craters, the golden circle, the blue lagoon, we hiked, and saw many little places during our drives. Even our 8 hour car rides were fun because our group always had something to talk about. Staff would always hook us up with riddles and fun jokes as well. Everything was amazing!!!

My GoBeyond experience is something I know that I will remember and cherish forever. GoBeyond has introduced me to so many amazing people that have become my best friends from all over the world. Also, it has pushed me out of my comfort zone to try new things or experience new ideas or concepts that I never imagined I could. The food varies in place to place depending on if we were in the Amazon, Galapagos, or Andes. The Galapagos had the best food because we got to out to eat and try new things and try traditional food, whereas the hotels or hostels fed us at the other places. There was also an excessive amount of fish that was served, and if it was possible it would be nice to change it up more often. The group discussions really helped me to find myself, and kind of discover not just who I am, but who I want to be. GoBeyond is great because it provides valuable life skills and experiences in a brand new place, with brand new people, and it teaches you things you never knew before, all while taking your breath away.

The trip was one of the best experiences I have had and helped me gain a lot of new friends. All of the accommodations were excellent with comfortable beds and clean restrooms. The service projects were all fun and it felt like our work was affecting people's lives. All of the food was delicious and regardless of what I ordered I would enjoy it.

I really enjoyed the program, and I learned a lot. It was a really amazing experience and I'm so happy I went - I have almost all positive things to say about it. I Loved staying in the monastery!! It was perfect and so cool!!! GoBeyond students engage in service experiences that really aim to help the communities they work with. Unlike some other summer programs, in which students engage in a type of self-serving service, GoBeyond works with organizations and projects that really have the potential to better local communities. The leaders of GoBeyond trips are also a strength. They are smart, nice, caring, responsible, and always have the students' best interests at heart. Gobeyond is a GREAT organization. Thank you!

I enjoyed this trip immensely, and found it an amazing experience to emerge in a new country, culture, history and religion. GoBeyond offers a variety of trips high school students can choose from that give us a new perspective in life and let's us reflect on how grateful one is.