Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 11

Hola!

The group had a smooth travel day and landed in Granada in the late afternoon. After checking in we had a brief Orientation where we got to know each other better and reviewed the itinerary, as well as set expectations and guidelines for the trip. We walked to an Italian restaurant for our first meal together and then went back to the hotel for some well deserved rest.

The GLA Spain team

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 12

Today we walked around and learned about the art in Granada, we also walked by “Carmen” houses and saw La Alhambra. It was a lot of fun! We learned about the culture of Granada and Spain, and we had a good time with friends. Great first day!

Jose Carlos y Mateo

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 13

Today we went, like to kind of hike to the Alhambra in the mountains. We went for about one hour after that, but before that we went to a really old house there in Alhambra. It was really good. It was like this kind of show showing how all the things were for example, there was no water until the 60s or 70s.

Also after that we went hiking for like one hour. After that, we arrived at the restaurant , it was actually really good like a very good place. I tried some typical plates

First in the morning we had breakfast with eggs, then we went to the Alpujarra and there what we did was walk, and since it was very beautiful, there was sunshine all around and an old house, and well, we were passing by the house, and well, it was very cool there, so we passed it and then we went to do some climbing, it was really cool, we saw what the view was like and so, just seeing the view and then what to eat and well, the food is very, very delicious, it will be what the food is very delicious to try, new unknown dishes to discover new dishes and so, to know more and explore, to buy and well, to have fun and everything was great.

Federico and Darío

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 14

Today, we learned tap dance (Flamenco), watched tap dance performances, and went on a treasure hunt.

Matthew and Henry

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 15

Hello!

Today was a travel day. We enjoyed a late morning in Granada and then embarked on a 5-hour bus journey to Conil. We all slept very comfortably on the bus and listened to music. After arriving in Conil we checked into our hostel. We then walked to the beach to watch the sunset and went to have some delicious pizza for dinner. Everyone is excited to start surfing tomorrow morning!

The GLA Team

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 16

Today we went surfing in the morning, and after surfing we took a break, then we went surfing again in the afternoon, and at night we went out for dinner.

Maia

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

---

Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR SEPTEMBER 30

Dear Atmosphere Academy Japan 2025 families:

Haikei! We are so glad all students have arrived! We greeted them in Osaka and straight away headed off to the beautiful bamboo forests of Arashiyama. We hiked up to see the snow monkeys and then through the mystical bamboo forest, then on to the Teryuji Temple to explore its gardens and ancient buildings.

We then headed back to Osaka where we stopped for a nice dinner and orientation, and then after our very full day made it back to our comfy hotel. Tomorrow we are off to the famous Nara park to hand feed the deer!

Over the next 9 days we will explore Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo- trying local foods, learning local crafts such as painting Japanese fans and making Wagashi, a Japanese dessert. We will see Sumo wrestlers training, take bullet trains, cruise Lake Ashi, and explore Tokyo by subway. It will be a blast! We hope to learn tons about Japanese culture and will see some amazing sights.

Student leaders of the day will be writing a blog post every one to two days to keep you updated about all the great things they have been up to. Our schedule is packed so besides the blog we won’t be on our phones very often. We truly hope the students enjoy this cultural experience in Japan.

Keigu!

The GLA International Director team: Heather, Brooke, Adham, and Clint + our Japanese Local Director teams: Yu-san, Tai-san, and Hiro-san

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 1

Hello all parents!

Today we visited Nara Park, and it was amazing! We got to feed the friendly deer, and many even bowed before taking the cookies we had for them. There were so many walking around everywhere. You would be met by a deer at any turn. We all felt excited, happy, and had so much fun exploring and experiencing this environment.

we went to Todaiji Temple after that. It has a giant wooden building and a huge Buddha statue inside. We learned about its history and saw the cool architecture. Outside, we walked around the quiet grounds, the big wooden gate, stone lanterns, and smaller temples. We felt amazed and thought it was one of the best places in Japan.

We were privileged to get the chance to see the Umeda Sky Building in the evening. To see the breathtaking views, we had to ascend forty levels. The structure has a lot to offer, including the breathtaking views, of course, as well as a fantastic cafe with delicious ice cream and soda floats and a souvenir shop where our scholars enjoy doing their shopping.

In the topic of today’s meals we feel as though we had the most freedom so far in our choices of Japanese cuisine. Given the fact we were given the opportunity to explore the bustling streets of our destination and pick what food we decided to eat. Along with a protein packed dinner that we got to cook. It was super fun and we think collectively this was one of the best food days yet!

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 2

Today was a very long day out in Hiroshima! Our trip to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial was such a powerful experience. We walked through Peace Memorial Park, and explored the museum. It felt different from just learning in class and was far more personal. This experience was emotional, eye-opening, and really made us think about peace in today’s world.

The Bullet Train is one if not the FASTEST train going 200 miles an hour, If we really foucs in on it you can feel the speed but in general it doesn’t feel like it’s going as fast as it is from the outside.

Eating okonomiyaki for the first time was a cool experience. It was warm, savory, and full of flavor, kind of like a mix between a pancake and a pizza, but with cabbage and sauce. We didn’t know if we would like it at first, but after a few bites it became really good. So far on this trip we’ve also had takoyaki, which was soft and a little chewy with octopus inside, and we even tried McDonald’s in Japan. The menu felt a bit different and fun to compare to home. Altogether, the food has made the trip exciting.

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 3

Dear Parents,

Today, we recently painted Japanese flags.Due to some research, we learned the red circle, or Hinomaru, represents the sun and symbolizes energy and sincerity in Japanese culture. Everyone had a fantastic time being creative while painting and participating in this big part of Japanese cultures. Our finished flags are currently drying, so we haven’t brought them home yet, but we are excited to share our beautiful artwork with you very soon!

Our trip to Ohki High School in Japan was super amazing. The faculty and students were so respectful to us and made us feel so at home. Everyone’s kindness and hospitality was super appreciated and apparent throughout the whole trip. Even though we spoke different languages, we all tried our best and we definitely connected. A definite highlight was participating in and learning about a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where we got to try authentic matcha. It was an interesting cultural experience that we will always remember. The warmth and hospitality of everyone at Ohki High School made the visit ever memorable.

Today we ate food at a restaurant where we can cook our own food. The broth was in the middle of the table being heated up in a pot in an open fire and contained many different ingredients like tofu, and mushrooms. They gave us rice, and meat which we used to dip inside the pot to let the meat cooked. After we cooked the meat inside the pot we would scoop it out with the scooping utensil they gave us and eat it. The food was pretty good and the broth gave it a very unique flavor!

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 4

Dear Parents,

When we were in Kyoto, Japan, we visited the Manga Museum and spent time walking through the exhibits, admiring the creativity and uniqueness of the artwork. Later, we went to Kiyomizu-dera, where we were surrounded by the temple’s breathtaking beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Afterward, we wandered through the nearby shops, taking in the charm and culture of the area. Through every moment, we felt you with us, your love, your guidance, and the quiet reminder that you are still a part of every place we go and everything we experience.

As we walked the ancient streets and listened to the soft hum of the city, we thought about how much you would have loved it there. The colors, the history, and the peace that seemed to rest in the air made us think of you. Each laugh we shared and each sight that took our breath away reminded us of the lessons you taught us: to appreciate beauty, to stay curious, and to hold on to one another. Even though you are no longer here, your spirit continues to travel beside us, guiding our steps and filling our hearts with gratitude.

Afterwards, we visited a traditional wagashi making class where we learned about the history the candy holds for japan. A lot of us struggled to mimic the beautiful patterns for the candy but however we were able to taste it and most of us enjoyed it. We also were able to see the cultural setting as we had to take off our shoes to enter the restaurant and the rooms were oddly small in terms of ceiling space.

Students from Atmosphere Academy recently experienced a traditional Japanese dinner, immersing themselves in both culture and cuisine. Seated on tatami mats around low wooden tables, they were served an authentic multi-course meal known as kaiseki. The dinner began with miso soup and fresh sashimi, followed by delicately prepared dishes like tempura, grilled fish, and pickled vegetables. Each course was presented with artistic care, reflecting Japanese values of balance and seasonality. Students practiced using chopsticks and showed respect by saying itadakimasu before eating and gochisousama deshita afterward. The serene atmosphere, combined with warm green tea and quiet conversation, made the evening memorable. It was a unique opportunity for them to appreciate Japan’s rich culinary traditions and cultural etiquette.

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 5

Today, on October 5th, we took a two-hour trip from Kyoto to Tokyo on the Shinkansen bullet train. The ride was fast and comfortable, giving us a chance to see Japan’s beautiful countryside. Once we arrived, we visited the historic Asakusa Temple and learned about its deep cultural and religious importance. The temple was surrounded by traditional shops and people dressed in kimono. Some of the students even drew fortunes from the temple’s fortune teller, an exciting and memorable experience that showed us more about Japanese traditions and the ways people connect with spirituality in everyday life.

After our temple visit, we went to Character Street for lunch and shopping. The street was full of stores dedicated to popular anime, video games, and Japanese characters, offering snacks, toys, and figurines of all kinds. It was a lively and colorful place that represented Tokyo’s fun and modern side. We explored game rooms and shops selling delicious food like ramen and desserts. Everywhere we went, there was something new and interesting to see. The experience gave us a great mix of Japan’s creative pop culture and its friendly atmosphere, making it an unforgettable afternoon in the city.

In the evening, we made it to our dinner reservation at a buffet, where everyone enjoyed a variety of tasty dishes. Afterward, we visited a nearby mall to shop for souvenirs and clothes, finding many unique items to bring home. Walking through the busy Tokyo streets at night was amazing. The lights, sounds, and energy made the city feel alive. Overall, today was fun and exciting. We were able to explore both the traditional and modern sides of Tokyo, gaining new memories, experiences, and knowledge that we’ll treasure and share long after returning home.

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 6

Dear Parents,

Hey from Japan! Today was such a fun and crazy day. probably one of our best ones yet.

We started off with breakfast at the hotel, and everyone was still half asleep but excited for the day. The food was actually pretty good. some of us had pancakes, others tried rice and soup (yeah, soup for breakfast is normal here). We were all joking around and getting ready for a long day ahead.

Our first stop was Tokyo Character Street, and wow, it was so cool. It’s this long hallway under Tokyo Station filled with shops for different anime and game characters. Everywhere you look, there’s Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma, One Piece. literally everything. The colors were so bright and cute, and every shop had something we wanted to buy. It was hard not to spend all our money there. It felt like walking inside an anime. people were smiling, taking photos, and the music in the shops made it even more fun.

Then we headed to Ueno Park for lunch. It was super chill after the chaos of Character Street. We sat under the trees, ate, and just relaxed for a bit. There were tons of pigeons everywhere trying to steal food. they were way too brave. The weather was nice too, so it was just a really good break.

After that, it was time for the Tokyo Tower Challenge, which was probably the best part of the day. We had to take the train to the tower with our groups and chaperones, kind of like a scavenger hunt. It was confusing at first but really fun. When we got there, the tower looked amazing. huge and glowing orange. We went up to the top and saw the whole city, which looked insane, especially when the sun started to set. Some of us even stood on the glass floor and looked down (scary but awesome).

We finished the day with a buffet dinner, and it was perfect. Everyone was starving after all the walking. There was so much food. sushi, noodles, desserts, everything. We just sat together, ate a ton, and talked about our favorite parts of the day.

So yeah, it was a long but awesome day. We’re tired but happy and can’t wait for whatever we’re doing tomorrow.

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 7

For the second to last day of Japan 2025, we visited the iconic Mount Fuji, and it was an unforgettable experience. As we approached took a cable ride toward the highest point accessible by the public, a strong smell of sulfur filled the air as the steam continued to pour. The scent was so pungent you could immediately tell it smells like eggs. The steam rising from the vents created an otherworldly atmosphere.

One of the most interesting parts was trying the famous black eggs, or Kuro-tamago, boiled in the hot sulfur springs. The shells turn black from the minerals, and legend says eating one adds seven years to your life. Despite the smell, the view and the scenery surrounding Mount Fuji made it completely worth it. At first many people were nervous but as soon as they got on it they were fine and enjoying the scenery going up the cable. While we were going up the cable, we came across seeing mount fuji as shown from our gla members. Looking at mount fuji, it was very very huge looking at it. It soared through the clouds and it was very foggy looking at it. We enjoyed and had some fun in our individual groups.

The food today was actually very good. For breakfast we ate on the bus due to the traveling distance and the time we had to depart the hotel. The breakfast contained two different kinds of sandwiches and green tea as a drink. For lunch ,the food was very cultural. They gave us sea same seeds to mash together to put it on the fish. It was a very fun experience. We were also given soup to mix. It wasn’t a bad taste, it was good. For dinner it was the best dinner out of the day. There were many diverse food options. The foods displayed were fried chicken, steak, salmon, and dumplings. Many of us enjoyed the food as it was very savory.

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 8

The experience at the sumo wrestling event we went to was insane to say the least. When we entered it felt like a big tournament was about to happen with the middle of the room having an arena for the wrestlers. When we sat down on the side a lady showed us a video of the history behind sumo wrestling and the rules about it, the video contained highlights of the wrestlers and their names, honestly I was already captivated by the atmosphere so I was just watching the highlights. After they showed us some of the exercises/practices and their daily activities in keeping such a body, they started up a real match between two sumo wrestlers, the sheer strength in them was baffling, then they asked people if they wanted to go up after. Getting some content, I went up and fought the sumo wrestler, of course I didn’t win but I tried my best.

After everyone went up we all took some pictures with the sumo wrestlers and that was that. Overall it was a pretty cool experience and the sumo wrestlers were really nice and cool, 10/10 experience.The Lunch for today on October 8 was sushi today we learned something new and understanding the process how to make sushi and make the different varieties of sushi and ingredients they need to make look good and taste but from certain point of views people don’t like wasabi because they think it’s bland and to spicy for them but in my opinion I think good and I think it has great taste and It thinks it more popular sauce than Soy sauce in My opinion so I recommend we should come back.

In my opinion the best part of today was playing games in Shibuya. The claw machines; as soon as I saw one on my way back to our meeting spot I immediately stopped and went straight in there. I went looking around for a claw machine I liked and found the Holy Grail of claw machines, A Goomy Claw Machine. Sadly I got excited and forgot to take a picture of said claw machine. Shibuya in general was a packed place where you had to walk quickly to get to where you wanted to go; kind of reminds me of Manhatten

Dinner was a good experience, we went to a restaurant that people like Keanu Reeves and Mr.Sylvester Stallone went to. There was a section with a window view where you could see a bridge and the lake. There were many different kinds of food we ate, one of them was some cheese balls with frozen noodles on top of it; tasted amazing! We also had some Grilled fish; which I personally thought had a unique taste and didn’t taste grilled to me.

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR SEPTEMBER 30

Dear Atmosphere Academy Japan 2025 families:

Haikei! We are so glad all students have arrived! We greeted them in Osaka and straight away headed off to the beautiful bamboo forests of Arashiyama. We hiked up to see the snow monkeys and then through the mystical bamboo forest, then on to the Teryuji Temple to explore its gardens and ancient buildings.

We then headed back to Osaka where we stopped for a nice dinner and orientation, and then after our very full day made it back to our comfy hotel. Tomorrow we are off to the famous Nara park to hand feed the deer!

Over the next 9 days we will explore Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo- trying local foods, learning local crafts such as painting Japanese fans and making Wagashi, a Japanese dessert. We will see Sumo wrestlers training, take bullet trains, cruise Lake Ashi, and explore Tokyo by subway. It will be a blast! We hope to learn tons about Japanese culture and will see some amazing sights.

Student leaders of the day will be writing a blog post every one to two days to keep you updated about all the great things they have been up to. Our schedule is packed so besides the blog we won’t be on our phones very often. We truly hope the students enjoy this cultural experience in Japan.

Keigu!

The GLA International Director team: Heather, Brooke, Adham, and Clint + our Japanese Local Director teams: Yu-san, Tai-san, and Hiro-san

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 1

On our second day in Japan, we woke up a bit tired, had breakfast, and then boarded the buses to begin our adventure to Nara Park, where we saw a beautiful park filled with around 1,400 deer.

We walked through the park and stopped at the center, where our guide, Ty-san, gave us rice crackers to feed them, and during one of my interactions, the deer chased me and even bit my jeans while other students were also chased.,

Later, we visited a temple and saw a breathtaking giant Buddha statue that took 12 years to build, with incredible details and stunning wooden craftsmanship. The Buddha statue was built before the temple. Inside and outside the temple were statues, including a wooden disciple believed to have healing powers if you rubbed his knee and then your own, or any other body part, you would be healed, and guardian figures, one holding a rolled piece of paper and another holding a weapon, said to watch people’s behavior.

After lunch, we went to another temple that housed a golden Buddha statue and saw ancient stone statues that, despite the many years that had passed, still displayed their beautiful details.

After lunch, we went to the Umeda Sky Tower which was very nice. The view from the top was very memorable and there were lockets on a small rail there that were mementos of other people who had been there. Downstairs, there were many small shops where there were a variety of cool items like murals with special designs on them and more.

We then made our way to dinner, which was amazing. We went to a barbecue where we were given the opportunity to cook our own food on the stove in front of us. We got to try new types of food we had never had before, and experiencing cooking the food over a fire right in front of us and being able to eat it right after was astonishing!

After that, we returned to our hotel after a very full day. We’re excited to ride on a bullet train and visit the Hiroshima Memorial Park and Museum tomorrow!

Written by Adrianna and David. Photos by Nyleese

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 2

Today, us seniors who are in Japan took a bullet train to Hiroshima, an experience that none of us had ever had until now. A train that’s that fast and smooth is something the U.S. doesn’t have at all or anything close to it, and it was a great experience. When we entered the bullet train it was very quiet and it ran smoothly.

When we landed in Hiroshima, we went to buy lunch of our choice. We then took a five-minute walk to the Hiroshima memorial and met our tour guide, Ms. K. She taught us things we don’t usually learn in America. When the incident happened in Hiroshima, the Japanese tried to recover electricity, water storage, and food supply. Many children were left alone because their parents passed away, so they built 20 orphanages (only one of the orphanages is still up). Many people were left depressed because of what they saw and had to endure.

We saw the “Bell of Peace,” a symbol of all nuclear weapons being gone and to live with peace. Then we went to the museum, where they showed pictures of what the innocent victims looked like after the bombing. We also learned about the three Americans who helped Hiroshima citizens: Norman Cousins, who donated 2.5 million and brought 20 girls to New York for better care, and Barbara Leonard Reynolds, who built a peace center in Hiroshima.

This day was by far the most impactful of the trip. Hiroshima was where one of the two atomic bombs was dropped by the U.S. in 1945, ending World War II. The city was left in absolute ruin, so many lives were lost, and there was a strong feeling of sadness within many of us. But that isn’t entirely Hiroshima’s legacy. What we saw was a beautiful city with some of the nicest people we’ve met. It was wonderful to see the growth Hiroshima has had into being the great city it is today, but also one that holds strong importance in its history.

After the museum, we went to eat okonomiya, a savory pancake with noodles and toppings like lettuce and shrimp, which they cooked in front of us. After that, everyone went to the Pokémon Center, which was so fun! Then we went straight to the bullet train to get back to Osaka and arrived back at the hotel around 11 p.m.

Written by Emilio, Dayana and Antonella

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 3

Today we had breakfast at the hotel before we left. It was our last day, and the breakfast was really good.

Afterward, we boarded the buses with our suitcases and went to the Manga Museum. They had a lot of old-fashioned mangas with the traditional manga style, as well as demonstrations showing how the artists created their work. There was also a wall where people could draw their own little manga illustrations. Additionally, they had a shop with a lot of anime merchandise based on the mangas.

Later we went to the school. We played a game with questions, questions such as, what is your name, how many sibling you had. We also made paper airplanes, we played a game on whoever throws the paper airplane highest gets a warrior shirt. If atmosphere scholars won, they got to give a shirt to whoever. Later we went to a tea ceremony. We had to be quiet during the ceremony as a sign of respect.

After the school experience, we went to a hot pot. We had clear noodles. Overall it was a good experience.

Written by Adrianna and Dayana

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 4-6

OCTOBER 4

On today’s blog, we went to breakfast when we woke up in the morning, it was very nice and it tasted good. After breakfast, we went to the fan making center where we painted and created our own designs on your own fan for you to keep, People made very creative fan designs and all had fun using the water color paints for the fans, their designs were things such as Japanese cherry blossoms, koi fish, and other types of unique designs.After finishing making our fans, we had enough time so went to the floor below where they had a shop full of souvenirs, antique Japanese items, and kimonos.

After finishing up with everything, we went to make Japanese sweets with red bean paste, the people guided us and showed us how to make them properly and we even were able to eat them afterwards along with matcha tea since the sweets are mostly used for tea.

After making the Japanese sweets, we had a slight delay with the busses but we were still able to go to the temple where the views there was very pretty, a fact about this temple is that they have a separate thing for women to pray on their own which was pretty nice to know and considerate to the women there, we were also able to touch the secret water which was cool to do because there wasn’t a lot of temples where you can actually somewhat interact with so seeing a temple like that is nice.

After the temple, we went to see a performance which was very nice to see all of their cultural music, dances, and performances. After everything we had some difficulties with dinner but we were able at least that we were able to sort things out and everybody had something to eat. Today had some troubles but in the end it all worked out.

Written by Ashley, Zaniya and Ogemdi

OCTOBER 5

After breakfast we walked to the train station and waited for the bullet train. Once it arrived, we enjoyed a two-hour ride to our final destination—Tokyo! As we approached the city, we saw wonderful sights like Mt. Fuji and Japan’s beautiful nature.

In Tokyo, we visited an arcade called Club Sega, then went to Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple. The temple had many shrines and statues, and its story dates back to 628 when two fishermen found a statue of the deity Kannon and enshrined it there. We explored the grounds, admired the lantern at the main gate, and visited smaller walkways filled with incense. Inside the temple were gold embellishments, intricate paintings of Buddha and a dragon, and a large offering box where visitors could toss coins and pray. There were fortune stations and food stands selling snacks like snow crab and shaved ice.

Later, we ate at an American buffet with a chocolate fountain and a balcony overlooking the water—complete with its own Statue of Liberty, likely an homage to the U.S. The view of the city lights and bridge was beautiful. We’re very excited to spend these last few days in Tokyo with close friends and valued teachers!

Written by Marleni, Jayreen and Emily

OCTOBER 6

Today we woke up, had breakfast, and headed onto the bus to go see sumo wrestling. We learned about different techniques to win and what not to do to avoid getting disqualified.

After that, we went to lunch and then visited a street filled with all kinds of food. There was a smoothie shop, tanghulu, and even an arcade.

Later, we went to Tokyo Tower, which was very big and had lots of pretty souvenirs. We also had some delicious ice cream.

For dinner we ate from a buffet. The food was really good and after we had dinner we were able to go shopping at a mall! Until tomorrow!

Written by Franklin, Valerie and Ashley

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 7

Today we had a very long day. We all woke up at 6:15 and headed down to the lobby at 7:00. We couldn’t have breakfast today because our bus ride was 3 hours long! We had to have breakfast on the bus. For breakfast we had a couple sandwiches and fries with green tea. After the long bus ride, we eventually were able to take a boat to hakone railway line and went up 1,044 meters near Mt Fuji. We were able to do different things like shop, eat hotdogs, have ice cream, and just enjoy the scenery. Although, it smelled kind of bad due to the sulfur from the volcano.

After this, we took the long bus ride back to Tokyo and went straight to dinner. For dinner, we went to a Japanese restaurant that served us rice with different kinds of meat. We had to take off our shoes since it was a traditional Japanese restaurant. After dinner, we went to family mart to get some snacks and walked 5 minutes to the hotel and that’s basically it. Last full day tomorrow!

Written by Paulina

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BLOG POST FOR OCTOBER 8

We started off the day at 10 with sushi making where we had a lot of fun making our own food especially a traditional Japanese dish.

Afterwards, we went to the Tokyo (train) Station and not only was it a station, but almost like a mall with the amount of shops that were there. The group had about an hour and a half to shop around and saw stores with a bunch of characters. They bought items from stores such as Pokémon, Lego and Sanrio.

Later on, the group went to Shibuya Crossing, one of, if not the busiest area in Tokyo. Shibuya resembled Time Square for the scholars there. There was time to explore the area by themselves, with a range of stores for everyone. Shibuya was not only good for shopping, but the different pathways and sections made the location beautiful.

For the last dinner, the group got to enjoy traditional Japanese meal with shrimp, fish and miso soups. Not only that, the dinner ended with a delicious ice cream.

The day was overall very eventful with a lot of free time to end the trip by exploring Tokyo.

At the end of the day at the hotel, the group started to pack and got ready to depart back to New York.

Written by Jesus, Taylor, and Aryana

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 2

Today was filled with twists and turns! We started with a delicious breakfast at Hotel Robeldal, before taking a bus ride to go ziplining! We flew our way from canopy to canopy on the ziplines, enjoying beautiful views of San Jose along the way.

Our zipline was unfortunately cut a little short after the rain turned to downpour. We enjoyed lunch at a local spot before embarking on another lengthy bus ride through many of Costa Rica’s landscapes, after which we took a short boat ride and arrived at the Greengold Eco lodge in Parismina.

– Abhay and Micah

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 3

Today was a day of exploration around the camp! We started the day with a delicious meal of eggs and toast, then we went around camp in the farm tour led by Jason. We saw beautiful flowers, ate snacks of coconut, and even saw Howler monkeys and a sloth!

After the tour, we ate lunch at the lodge and then after a bit of downtime we went to the beach! The beach was very nice and after riding the waves and participating in the sandcastle building competition, we went back to learn about ASTOP (Associacion Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina) from Marc, a local from Parismina.

Next, we enjoyed dinner at the lodge before we went on our first night patrol. It was very soothing to hear the waves crashing on the coast and walking on the sand.

– Beau and Eleanor

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 4

Leaders of the day: Anvi and Jax

Today we started the day with a flavorful breakfast of rice and beans. We then embarked on a Jungle Boat Tour, where we explored the swampy rivers around the Eco Lodge. We saw a couple types of monkeys, many types of birds, such as egrets and herons, and we saw multiple reptiles, like caimans, crocodiles, iguanas, and basilisks! After that, we ate lunch and had a siesta, or a bit of down time after the meal.

We then took a tour of our host’s vanilla farm, where we learned how the vanilla vines are planted, pollinated, and harvested. We helped on the farm by cutting pieces of the vines and planting them by host trees so that they could grow into big plants. We refreshed our minds with a yoga session and then headed to the beach to pick up trash and enjoy the waves.

After freshening up we had dinner, and we did a leadership debate to understand the complex relationship between nesting sea turtles and coastal communities in Costa Rica.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 5

Leaders of the day: Quinn and Lily

Yesterday we started the day with a breakfast, then after that we took a truck ride on an airstrip, and went to town. Then we met up with Jerry (Jason’s brother) and he talked to us about ASTOP’s mission and showed us the tools used for measuring and tagging turtles.

We then did a walking tour around the village, along the way we stopped into some shops and bought ice cream and other goodies. We then went to cooking class in our mentor groups and cooked empanadas, but one of the groups ran out of gas, so we had to wait for them.

After that we went to a craft fair and bought hand made souvenirs made out of coconut, cow bone, and cow horn. Then we had lunch, smoothies, and played some card games. After that we met with a dance instructor to get dance lessons if salsa, bachata and Soca, a Caribbean traditional dance.

After the dance lessons, we went to a soccer field and played soccer with the kids of Parismina. After, we had dinner and got ready for our night patrol and then went to the night patrol. We didn’t see any turtles, but that’s okay, we got to see the stars after many cloudy days. Then we went to bed. Tomorrow we are heading to San Jose for our final day in Costa Rica! We have learned so much about the turtles, the wildlife and how our actions can impact the world we live in.

We’ll see you very soon!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 7

Leaders of day: Carson and Urvi

This morning, after waking up and eating a large breakfast, we went to the beach and enjoyed the waves for around 20 minutes. We all enjoyed our final experience there. After showering up and packing up all our luggage, we started designing signs. On the signs were written messages around the theme of conserving the ecosystem. We ate a final lunch which contained rice, beans, plantains, and fresh fish.

We soon walked to the dock and we rode away from the place where we had spent the last few days of the week. We said our goodbyes to Jason and the wonderful Green-Gold Ecolodge staff before boarding the bus back to San Jose. We checked back into Hotel Robledal, and some played in the hotel pool. The dinner was a nice salad, with mashed potatoes and chicken.

We concluded the day with our final leadership activities. One of them was an appreciation circle where we showed our gratitude and appreciation towards everyone who had helped and inspired us during the duration of the travel. We took a survey that recapped our wonderful trip, as we now prepare to depart back to Colorado!

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16

Written by Grisha and Martin

We made it to Bilbao! Everything went smoothly, aside from all of us being a little tired, and it was really fun. We started the day with an orientation with our GLA directors, and learned a lot from our local guide on our walking tour in the afternoon. The day’s highlight, however, was definitely the food – we had some pintxos, which is typical cuisine from Bilbao.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17

Written by Yunwoo and Adrian

Overall, today was even more fun than yesterday since we weren’t as tired after the plane ride. We woke up and had a delicious breakfast. After that we went to a surf hostel, then took a walk to the beach and started surfing. Surfing was easier for some people than others, but it was the ocean so everyone had fun! We walked back to the hostel and had some lunch there. Later we came back to the hotel and had some rest before we went to a museum. The museum was very large and had a lot of different exhibitions. There was a room with an interesting video! At the end of the day we ate pizza nearby the hotel.

Also, did we mention that now we’re famous in Bilbao??

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

Written by Jazmin and Vivienne

Today was really tiring, but we had a lot of fun. In the morning we had breakfast and took the subway to see a river that ran into the ocean. We paddled there, and also met some really nice staff that showed us how to paddle and even stand up on the board! We paddled and saw two beautiful bridges – one was white and the other one was red, and ended at an island where we had fun sliding around in the mud.

Afterwards, we walked and ate in a really nice restaurant, all of us were full! Then we walked to the subway station and took the train to our hotel, where we got to chill a little bit. For dinner we are at a restaurant with Japanese food called Buga Ramen. It was absolutely delicious and everyone loved it.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Written by Cecilia

Today we went to Madrid on the high speed train. The ride was four hours long and a little boring, but at least we arrived! Madrid is a big city. We went back to the hotel and rested a bit, and in the afternoon we tried the flamenco dance of Spain and watched a flamenco show. It was fun and interesting! The day was tiring but good.

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20

Written by Sophie

Last day of the trip! After breakfast at the hostel, we headed out one last time to explore Madrid. We went first to a park nearby which has a beautiful Egyptian temple, Templo de Debod. We took pictures at the lookout and then did a closing activity where we shared what we’d liked most about the trip, what challenged us, and what we’d learned. We then took a little time for souvenir shopping, and had our last lunch together before heading to the airport. Thank you Spain for having us and we hope to be back someday!