School the World

Through my trips with School the World, I have had the opportunity to visit Panama twice and Honduras once. Both countries offered endless beauty, not only through their landscapes but through the people and communities I was fortunate enough to meet. My favorite part of each experience was the genuine kindness and welcoming nature of the communities we worked with. They welcomed us with open arms, shared their stories and traditions, and allowed us to build meaningful connections despite our different backgrounds. I loved being able to find common ground with people who had different experiences than my own and learn from their perspectives. These relationships and the connections I made are what made my time in both countries so memorable.

While having traveled with STW before in Panama, Guatemala was another life-changing experience I will never forget. Traveling to Antigua was beautiful, and experiencing its food and markets was an amazing time. In the communities, I built multiple connections with several of the children that was extremely fulfilling. Additionally, I created friendships that lasted long after the trip had ended. All in all, my journey with STW was amazing and gave me connections to multiple placed across the world!

My trip to Panama with School the World was truly an eye-awakening experience. Growing up in a suburban town near Boston, I lacked depth on what life outside of the United States looked like. Through traveling with School the World, I understood the challenges that communities faced that lived in rural poverty firsthand. I was able to make a direct impact on the community through concrete making and playing with the children during recess. Furthermore, the STW community itself was beautiful, as I formed formidable connections with others who were working towards the same goal as me, and by going to the beach at sunset, washing the paint and dirt from the day's hard work. It was an opportunity that began to lay down the path of what I would want to pursue going into college. This service trip is one that I would recommend to anyone!!!

During this trip, provided through School the World, I had the amazing opportunity to meet and interact with children that I later realized lived completely different lives that I do. I got to witness the difficulties that go with their day-to-day lives as I realized how privileged I am to have all of the resources I do. But during this I also realized one important thing - these kids aren't looking for sympathy, they are looking for opportunity. With School the World, these children get the opportunities that could cost a lifetime of working. School the World has done a remarkable job and I'm so grateful that I was able to witness the work with my own eyes. Kaylle Alves

Volunteering in Panama was such an amazing experience that taught me so much about new culture, education, and privledge. It is truly a trip like no other and completely immerses you in the most pure and kind community with the best people. Doing hard work and seeing the impact of your time and dedication is so rewarding! This trip was so impactful to me and I believe it is something everyone should experience and learn from!

I can't say enough about my School the World experience. I went on my first STW trip this past February and was a chaperone for my daughter and other students. I was so impressed with how well-organized and safe the trip was. The STW staff is positive, kind, knowledgable, organized and on top of every aspect of the trip. My daughter and I along with many other students, chaperones, and STW staff were able to make a postive difference in the lives of a needy community in Guatemala and helped to promote education and good will among different cultures. It was wonderful to work alongside community members to build classrooms for students that will impact generations to come. I highly recommend that every parent and child do this trip at least once in their lifetime. My daughter and I will definitely be doing another STW trip in the near future.

I am so grateful I did this trip!! I had such a great time and made incredibly special connections with the children and other travelers. Th excursions and activities were very well organized, and I learned something from each one. When me and a few other travelers got stuck in the Houston airport because of a huge snowstorm, STW was so helpful and I did not feel panicked once!! I would so do this trip again and I would recommend it to anyone!!

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in a service trip to Honduras and this experience was amazing, leaving a lasting impact on both the local community and our team members. Our trip organizers ensured that we had a well-rounded experience by arranging cultural immersion activities and excursions. We explored the natural beauty of Honduras like going to the beaches and enjoying the food, traditions, and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the community. I would recommend participating in this service trip to everyone. Not only will you contribute to the betterment of a community, but you will also experience personal growth, gain a broader perspective, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

This trip was absolutely amazing. I loved getting to know new people, and gaining an understanding of another culture. I really felt like I had an impact in the community and I had so much fun with the other kids in the community while also learning more then I ever thought possible in only one week!

I learned so much about myself and others, and was so rewarded by the work. I had so much fun playing with the students as well! School the World is an amazing organization that makes it so easy to give back to the community and engage students in a fun, educational, once in a lifetime experience.

I was super nervous to go on this trip, but as soon as I met the people I was going with on this trip, I knew it was gonna be something to remember. I loved going through Panama City and exploring the markets and the culture, as well as getting to know the people in my group. But my absolute favorite part of the trip was going to the community. I loved hanging out with the kids during recess and after lunch. They brought such a smile to my face and I will never forget any of the memories I made with them. I also throughly enjoyed teaching in the classroom and seeing what their day to day school life entailed, as well as the shadow day. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life, and one I will definitely not forget. I would recommend this trip to anyone and do it again!

It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. I loved getting to know the kids and families during my trip. It felt so special being a part of something that could really make a difference in these kids lives. And everyday I was learning from and inspired by the people in the community. Despite the language barrier, I made strong connections with the kids in the community. I had so much fun blowing bubbles and playing with them, all the while learning so much from each of them. It was so fulfilling, and of course the sunsets at the beach and the day in Panama City were incredible as well. I’m so so glad that I went :)

I've gone on 2 trips with School The World now and have loved every minute of them. I loved playing with local children for recess, eating authentic food, making friends with the other high schoolers on the trip, practicing Spanish everyday in the community, and seeing all the hard work turn into a school at the end of the week! The staff at STW is amazing, and they make you feel so safe and at home. It's an incredible opportunity to see how people live every day in poorer parts of the world, & I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to travel with STW twice now.

I had a wonderful time on my trip and it was an extremely eye-opening experience to a very rural community that had so much gratitude for our service and for the little things in life. I also made amazing friends that share a passion for service and I would go back in an instant!

I loved traveling with School the World more than anything. This eye-opening opportunity was impactful to my personal growth and introduced me to a new part of the world. The impact our team left in the community will forever be recognized due to the friendships and bonds we made there as well as our dedication and persistance while building a classroom. I didn't want to leave when I was there and now at home I wish I could go back. School the World is something I would encourage everyone to take on. Its betters you in the best possible way and you feel so good about your purpose to help the children. Every single person has the ability to make the world a better place little by little if they choose too. School the World is where dreams come true.

I had a really great experience on my service trip, and felt like I directly impacted the community. I had an experience I would never have completed if it was not for this organization, and I felt like I was exposed to a new culture.

I had an amazing time in Honduras building schools with School the World. I felt so engaged the entire week and had the best time. Immersing myself in the community was my favorite part. Everyone I went on the trip with was great and made the trip so much better.

I feel past the fact that everyone knows they are going abroad to help build something and play with kids. Seeing the culture and getting to experience it was a main reason I wanted to go and glad I did. To see how this people live outside a textbook just shows life in different ways. Along with that I got to meet people other students that i’m still friend with today.