The Young Leader

Archives for September 2015

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Discover Your Passion Before College in Belize on GLA’s Belize Program

The new GLA Belize program is perfect for a teen still looking to find their passion in the summer before college begins.

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Before beginning another four or more of school, more teens take a break and travel. While common in countries like Australia, this gap experience is a new endeavor to many in the US. These kinds of trips can not only lead to a new passion, but it can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. GLA’s Belize program is a great way to see the world and make a difference in a new community without delaying the start of college (something your parents will thank you for!).

When in Belize, there is the chance to see both its rainforest and Caribbean coast. Either can inspire an interest in environmental preservation and conservation. There are also many hikes to take and the chance to learn more about Belize’s Maya heritage, in case you were considering exploring a career in cultural anthropology. And who doesn’t want to visit the world-famous the Belize Zoo? You can even see a Kinkajou! Yes, that is animal; one that it is small and usually in the tropical forests found so plentifully in places like Belize.

Belize also gives the chance to make life-long friendships and connections with like-minded individuals – those who will have the greatest impact on your future major or career plans. Volunteer hours may also seem trivial to those who are focused on the future, but many budding careers began with a volunteer experience that was memorable and insightful in a way a classroom setting always isn’t.

So there’s no reason to not sign up. Living conditions are the perfect prep for college with dorm-style buildings. The memories made on the trip will last forever and be perfect to share with new college roommates. And just think of all the incredible pictures that will be taken! It’s the chance in a lifetime to travel abroad and make a positive impact in this world.

Contributed by Samantha Watkins

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Top Colleges for Study Abroad Programs

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You’re used to it by now. Every year, the US News & World Report releases a list of the best universities in the United States, and every year the top three schools end up being Princeton, Harvard, and Yale. The most newsworthy item is whether any of the top three swapped positions, which is hardly useful information to potential college applicants, since we all know these (among a handful of others) are top-tier universities, and studying at any one of them would be a feat for most young people.

Unfortunately, given that each of these schools has incredibly limited enrollment capacity, that leaves tens of thousands of otherwise highly qualified, exceptional teens making decisions without a lot to go on. At least until they realize that the top universities list isn’t the only one US News & World Report produces.

If you’re a teenager with a very specific college experience in-mind – say,  you’re very oriented around service work, or you want to go to an explicitly non-party school – there’s a list for that. One that we find especially pertinent in today’s increasingly globalized, ever more connected world is the list of colleges with the top study abroad programs. More and more students from the United States have international experience well before college even begins, and that leads more of them to have a desire to extend that international experience into college. The US News list contains 34 exceptional colleges and universities. We won’t cover them all here, but below you’ll find some highlights of schools for students who want to put ‘study abroad’ at the top of their college selection criteria.

Georgetown University in Washington, DC

Georgetown might not be Yale, but it certainly has name recognition to go along with its storied study abroad program. For students who desire an international experience, especially those going into foreign affairs, Georgetown University makes an excellent choice. First, while on-campus, you’ll be immersed in an American city best known for its ties to the outside world – think diplomats, state dinners, and all that jazz. Then, consider the fact that nearly 900 Georgetown students study in another country every year, with particular ties to the university’s business, foreign service, and health studies programs. That’s something to be really jazzed about.

Elon University in Elon, NC

More than 70 percent of Elon students study abroad during their time at the school, a mind-boggling number when you remember that fewer than 1% do nationally. Elon University’s unique trimester schedule allows many students who would not otherwise have the time or finances to study abroad for a whole semester the chance to do so during its January term, making it suddenly feasible for a substantial majority of the student body to participate. With an emphasis on hands-on learning abroad through internships and other activities, it is a great fit for many internationally-minded students.

Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI

Michigan State is an excellent option for students looking for a state school with a robust study abroad program. MSU helps connect prospective study abroad students with peer advisers who can offer details and advice based on their own experiences abroad during undergrad. There’s also a lot of flexibility to study abroad multiple times throughout your undergraduate experience, as highlighted by one student who spent part of her freshman year in New Zealand, before studying environmental sustainability in Israel and sustainable development in Costa Rica. If you’d like to leave your footprints on multiple continents, MSU is one university to consider.

There’s more!

Of course there’s more. Check out US News’ full list here, and remember to think about factors beyond just one ranking when selecting a university.

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A Taste of Europe in South America with GLA Argentina

Have you studied Spanish for a lifetime, but don’t want to study in Spain? Do you want the conveniences of Europe without doing what everyone else does? Well ,thinking south to GLA’s new Argentina program might be best direction for you to be heading.

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For those who think this is hyperbole, let’s play a game. Imagine you are walking through a town square watching the locals sip coffee underneath the Baroque lined buildings. Are you in Madrid or Buenos Ares? Well it’s a trick question, you could be in both. From lifestyle to architecture and everything else in between, the Argentines take deep inspiration from their European compatriots.

If your ideal study abroad dinner consists of a rotation of pasta, sausages, endless desserts and copious amounts of wine then Argentina can cover you just as well as Italy, England, Switzerland and France—and sometimes even better. Argentinian favorites such as Asado, Empanadas, and Dulce de Leche add European sophistication to your palates with some South American intrigue. And while the vineyards of France are world-renowned, Argentine reds such as Syrah and Malbec have held their own in any world wine competition (though you won’t be drinking any wine while on your trip with GLA, you can appreciate its history and local cultural significance).

For many students, experiencing the local culture of their host country is just as integral as what they learn in the classroom itself and Argentina lends itself to European sensibility with a touch of Latin flair—no wonder many call Buenos Ares the Paris of the East. Many of the aesthetic qualities of architecture and fashion allow you to trace the integration of Spanish and other Euro centric influences from 17th century until today. The colorful neighborhood of La Boca in Buenos Ares for example is modeled after many of the architectural styles of Genoa, Italy.   When going out to watch a night of sports, both the fandom and play of either soccer (or football) and rugby equal many of Europe’s most talented clubs. Just remember to carry a shirt to cover up your blue and white painted chest for when you hit the town for a few Cervesas after the match. When in Rome; or Buenos Ares I should say.

Contributed by Matt Zonis

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Why the New GLA Ghana Sports Program is the Perfect Fit for Sporty Teens

Are you a sports enthusiast with a passion for adventure and community building?

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Remember the first time you were introduced to your favorite sport? For many of us, we got inspired after playing with our friends or family. Sports connected us to our communities and gave us something to look forward to every week. Sometimes competing was stressful, but we always had our team to lean on and cheer us up. Now that we’re older, we realize that winning isn’t everything—bonding with others is. And although you may not consider yourself an expert, you know your sport well enough. Most importantly, we know how to make it fun.

That’s all you need 🙂

You may not realize this now, but your sport will allow you to connect you with incredible people from all over the world. Sports transcend language barriers. If you’ve ever visited the beach when traveling, you may have seen this. With only a soccer ball or frisbee, you can start playing with almost anyone. You might not even speak the same language! But you’ll be smiling and laughing all day because fun is universal.

Perhaps you’ve considered teaching your sport? Maybe you’ve also wanted to travel and experience a new culture?

As a teen, you have plenty of good options to explore. Even if you’re one of those hardcore athletes, you’ll benefit from going outside your comfort zone in this way. Teaching your sport and training in a new environment is a fantastic time. You naturally strengthen your foundation by discovering what’s most important.

But it’s hard to do this alone. We all need a team that’s experienced, supportive, and been there before.

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If exploring a new culture and connecting through sports interests you, then definitely check out GLA’s new Ghana Sports Program! The two week program is run by amazing staff that love traveling, learning from other cultures, and contributing in a meaningful way. Your team includes like-minded teens that also want to create an active, unforgettable adventure in Ghana. When traveling, it’s actually quite difficult to genuinely experience and contribute to another culture. You often have to wait until you’re an adult in the US (most of us wait longer), and even then it takes time to really get to know people. Which is why it’s so helpful to get started by doing the right program whose values and culture suit you.

Consider this one of your few chances to dive into the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.

What’s your favorite sport and why? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Contributed by Nick Fochtman

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