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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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!

---

COMING SOON!

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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!

---

COMING SOON!

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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 JUNE 16

After a much needed rest from the long and exhausting previous day’s travel, we started our morning with a simple but delicious breakfast of toast, eggs, and a variety of fresh fruits. Once we let our food settle for twenty minutes, we took our swim tests and then went over important ground rules and trip expectations.

After, we did one on one interviews with randomly selected partners to get to know each other better. After a few minutes of chatting and asking questions, we introduced our partners to the group, which helped us all get a better sense of who we are traveling with.

Lunch was a hearty spread featuring chicken soup, grilled chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, a vegetable salad, and local ice cream. After a short break, we boarded a bus and headed out to visit two different equator sites. Our first stop was the Mitad del Mundo monument, which marks the modern equator line. There, we toured a museum that showcased Indigenous life and history, along with a complex but fun demonstration about how gravity and balance are affected near the equator. The guide referenced the work of French explorer and geographer Charles Marie De Condamine, who dedicated his life studies to map the equator in the 18th century.

Next, we visited the Initiñan, a nearby site historically believed to be the true equator prior to recalculation in 2008. At the top of the museum’s lookout tower, we enjoyed a breathtaking view of Ecuador’s mountains and volcanoes which were blanketed by clouds.

Afterward, we explored local shops and food stalls. Some of us had more ice cream.

We wrapped up the day by returning to camp for dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with chocolate pudding for dessert. The night ended with some friendly blackjack (no gambling money, sadly) and some frantic packing with everyone needing their suitcase to be under twenty three kilograms (about forty four pounds).

– Henry (Hank)

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17

By Marielle K and Hanna P

This morning 12 shivering and groaning teenagers woke up at four in the morning to start their journey to the Galápagos Islands. With suitcases by the bus by 430 and bagged breakfasts in hand we started driving towards the airport, the stars still awake and waving us away from base camp number one. When we reached the air we were somewhat more awake and ready to roll. Instead we ended up standing around for quite a bit while we waited for the boarding passes and the checking tags to print. With all of that taken care of we headed towards the plane. With a scale ranging from fast asleep to coffee everyone spent their plane ride a different way. We got a friendly Iguana greeting when we landed. Once inside the airport Hakkan handed out passports and money like we were in a heist movie.

The island we had flown to is a small island right next to Santa Cruz that used to be a US Navy base. Because of this we had to ride a short bus right from the airport to the edge of the island before boarding a small boat. We actually got to watch some blue footed boobies and pelicans diving, which was an awesome view backdropped by the perfect teal water. After the boat ride we took another bus, our final step before making it to base camp two.

Once at the base, the 12 of us split into our new room assignments to explore the cozy cracks, stains, and lizards decorating our new home. After everyone settled down and settled in, there were a few heated rounds or BS and blackjack before lunch. We had a tasty lunch, endured some heat to make your eyes sweat and a few rules of the part, before setting out on the next part of our adventures, tortoises! We saw all ranges of a giant tortoises’ life; the babies breed in the sanctuary, some teens wobbling around their enclosure, some impressively prehistoric, century year old tortoises, and a stuffed idealized grandpa turtle named George. He was a great sport when it came to photos. He barely moved a muscle! In the museum we feasted on the view of an enormous whale skeleton, as well as some cooling ice cream. After a nice walk back to base or day wound down, so I guess you’ll have to tune in tomorrow so get some more updates!

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

By Hannah B and Marielle K

Hi families! Today we had a very early morning, waking up at 6:30 and getting ready for a long day of work. We started off the day with some yummy fried banana patties topped with a delicious fried egg. Then, we took a long bus ride filled with snacks to prepare us for the long day!

We arrived at Primicias, where we worked for eight hours in total. We got rid of many invasive species of trees for four hours, which took a lot of hard work and determination! We had a quick lunch break with great food, such as pesto spaghetti, spaghetti pomodoro, and fish, as well as milkshakes, lemonade, and more! We went back to work for another four hours and we continued clearing out the area.

Once we finished, we came back to the home base, where we ate chicken, and rice with beans. Although we were very tired by the end of the day, we finished by walking to a local gelato shop, which was a great way to end our evening! Thank you for reading and get ready to hear about tomorrow!

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Today for our delectable breakfast, we had tortilla de maíz and scrambled eggs after that we took a hike to swim in a crack that was created by volcanoes. Although the hike was decently grueling, as the weather was very muggy, it was very interesting to see the rugged beauty of the island during the dry season. The land almost looks cracked but the wildlife still seems to flourish. As soon as we reached our destination on the top of a hill, we immediately beheld the stunning view of Santa Cruz Bay. The water was ice blue and the ships were glittering on the bay.

As we turned around, we beheld the crevasse which we were about to swim in. In order to swim, we had to descend down about four flights of stairs. Once we reached the bottom, we jumped in the very cooling water. After such a long and grueling hike, it was extremely refreshing to experience the cooling sensation of the water. After that, we hiked back to base and ate lunch, which consisted of fried fish and coleslaw with rice as a side of course.

Then we went back to Rancho Primicias for another four hours ish of work. We were able to witness two tortoises mating. An interesting highlight indeed. Then we came back to base again and ate a dinner which consisted of steak fruits. (the vegetarians had eggplant) after that we celebrated Rockwells birthday with ice cream!!!!!! he was so happy and so do we!!!

-Noah

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20

Today we kicked things off with a tasty meal of breakfast empanadas! We then took a beautiful mile and a half hike to Tortuga Bay, full of amazing views from the white sand beach and clear blue water to racing lizards and vast mountains. Then stopping at a breathtaking part of the bay for some swimming. There, we played games such as Marco Polo, Chicken Fight, Duck Duck Goose, and many more!

After swimming, we went back to home base to get ready for our work and to eat a delicious meal of pasta and various meats. We then left to continue our work, today consisting of moving large stones to surround the baby trees growing there. This is crucial, as it protects the growing trees from the turtles stomping all over them.

After our tiring but rewarding work, some of us got smoothies as we waited for the shuttle to pick us up. On the way back to base, we stopped to get some street empanadas. They were so good many of us got seconds and even thirds! We then walked back to base for our dinner, which was a delicious dish consisting of beef, beans and rice. Finally, we ended our night with a fun game of mau and went to bed excited for the next day!

Lizzie :3

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21

We began our day with a breakfast of egg and bolon, which is banana with cheese inside. We took a trail with two large craters and many endemic trees and wildlife, and then we walked through a lava tunnel which was really awesome.

After that we ate a great lunch at the ranch and went to work. We dug up rocks to protect endemic plants and planted some more. Today was our last day at this ranch doing physical labor, and by now our little area is almost completely clear. We also learned about the tortoises and their different types and how to tell if one is male or female and adult or younger.

After that, we came back to the hotel and ate spaghetti, and then went through the town center to shop and celebrate with the midsummer festival (today was family day because it was a sunday). Then we came back again to pack our suitcases and went to bed!

Izzy

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23

Hello GLA families!

Today – Monday June 23rd – we woke up at 7:00 am, or at least the majority of us, as some forgot to set their alarms!

We then made our way up to the rooftop for breakfast where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, papaya, bananas, and rolls. This breakfast perfectly prepared us for our morning adventure.

At around 8:00 am, we took a bus and then had a short hike to La Loberia Beach where we snorkeled with sea turtles and sea lions. Though I can’t speak for everyone in the group, this experience has definitely been a highlight of my trip!

When we returned from our snorkeling adventure, we had a delicious lunch of soup and spaghetti.

After lunch, we had a debate on invasive species in the Galapagos, such as cats, dogs, and rats. Each person took a different perspective – for example, one person had to act in the interest of the local people, whereas another person acted in the interest of an NGO that sought to protect animals. Through this, each of us were able to gain a better understanding of a different perspective.

After this debate, we got our laundry back which was a huge relief as I was out of both shorts and shirts – it could have been bad!

Then, around 4:00 pm we went to a recycling workshop just around the corner where we learned to make crafts out of recycled material. In this workshop, we made a sea lion shaped keychain out of recycled jeans.

Across the street from where we did crafts was a soccer field where we played soccer (or I guess football here) for about an hour!

Finally, for dinner we ate mashed potatoes and fried shrimp.

Now, as I write this, we are playing cards and unwinding from the day!

We are all so excited for tomorrow!

Best,
Lily Malin

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24

Today we woke up and ate breakfast at 7:00 consisting of eggs, fruits, and bread. Next we headed to harbor where we took a boat ride to isla lobos. There we saw the seabirds and blue footed boobies nesting site, the birds were very beautiful, we saw them nesting with their eggs, crabs, and baby iguanas. Then after wandering around for a while we got changed into our wet suits and went snorkeling with the sea lions of the island they swam around us curious, like puppies!!! It was such a life changing experience !!!! Then took the boat and we rode to a beach where played games in the water, jumped off the boat, and sat in the sun. We came back and ate lunch and ate soup and chicken with rice. We rested for a while with many of us taking naps. After we all woke up we all then headed into town and played some pickup basketball games with some of the local kids and got ice cream when it was all over. We headed back for dinner eating chicken wings and fries. Afterwards we had a surprise of karaoke and kabobs where we all had a ton of fun singing and eating together. We headed back and relaxed for a while playing some cards, resting, and then headed to bed for a good night’s sleep.

Rockwell

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25

Today, we headed to go snorkeling after breakfast, and along the way we walked through a museum filled to the brim of interesting facts. We split into three groups; one learning about human history in the Galapagos Islands; one learning about the terrain of the islands and how these lands formed; and finally, the last group learning about conservation efforts in the Galapagos. We then taught each other what we learned, sharing our newfound knowledge with our peers.

Furthermore, after a walk to the beach we snorkeled with diverse life such as sea lions, marine iguanas, fish, a sting ray, and you guessed it- more fish! Everything in less than 10 minutes! A bit later, we had lunch and arrived at the nearby elementary school where we painted the floor with colors and fun animals. This included a beach section with hand-painted Galapagos animals “swimming” in the painted water, along with a mermaid. Dinner came after we showered and got ready, and afterwards we drifted off to sleep to end the day.

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

Hello from the Galapagos!!

Today we started the day off with Cantalope, Eggs, and Fried Plantains! After we did a group goal building workshop that focused on what we’ve learned, the problems we tried to address and how we can implement solutions in our day to day lives.

Next, we headed to the beach with a quick stop a local bakery/ice cream shop for some delicious treats. At the beach, we relaxed, played soccer, swam, and hung out with friends!!

For lunch, we had Ceviche with rice and popcorn. Shortly after lunch, we learned how to make empanadas with a choice of nutella and bananas or cheese for the filling!!

After the delicious empanadas, we did a salsa dancing class where we started solo and later danced in pairs! Even though most of us have two left feet, we all had a blast!!

To end the night we each got dressed up nicely and headed out to a local pizza restaurant, before heading back for a movie and packing for the airport to Quito Tomorrow!!

– Hannah Brown and Hannah Price

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27

Today we woke up feeling remorse, as it was our last full day together. Luckily we had pancakes for breakfast, which significantly brightened our mood. Our flight was at 2, so we spent the morning walking around, buying souvenirs, and enjoying the playgrounds we encountered along the way. After that, we visited a deli to buy snacks and drinks, we were ignoring every single “sugar tag” and we ate a lot of deserts. For lunch, we had a quite american meal of chicken nuggets and fries, which was very delicious, just what we needed for our hiking to the airport to ho´p on a flight back to quito. we do a small stop at Guayaquil and we started to create troubles at the plane changing seats, the lady at the airline was smiling so everything was fine. When we reached the hotel, we had chicken lasagna for dinner, and ended off the evening with a movie, Baby Driver.

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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 JUNE 15

We made it! After a big travel day, we set foot on British soil and started our STEM European tour. London is great. The weather is warm, the birds are singing, and the accents are fabulous. We are staying at a quaint hotel with a charming restaurant, and a beautiful park is just around the corner. There are brick buildings everywhere and a delightful “Britishness” hangs in the air.

The group is great. Everyone is already starting to make friends. We spent the afternoon getting to know one another and doing challenges in the park after a delicious meal at Nando’s. We talked about everything we are excited about for this program, and the list only got better and better the more we talked. From site-seeing in London to wandering the streets of Paris, from CERN to the UN, this program is going to be incredible.

We are taking our first night easy to catch up on sleep because tomorrow we start to explore the city. We are going to do a forensics workshop in Sherlock’s city, take a boat ride on the Thames, and tour Big Ben. We can’t wait. And that’s just the start.

We are going to be posting student blogs every couple of days, so keep your eyes open for our next round of updates. We can’t wait to tell you about our adventures in London, Paris, and Geneva. They are going to be great.

Wishing everyone a happy belated fathers’ day.

Cheers,

GLA STEM Team

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

Written by Sahasra Sadhanala and Conlan

On our first day, Monday June 10, we began with an orientation, followed by games we used to get to know each other. We then went to a workshop where a detective from Scotland Yard explained how evidence was investigated at a crime scene, showing using a model crime scene, and having a volunteer explore it in the professional attire. After that he had groups analyze witness statements, bank records, and other information relating to the case. In order to confirm who was the true culprit we acted out mock interrogations where students acted as the suspects and the officers. After the workshop we took a scenic boat ride on the river Thames, seeing beautiful architecture (such as the London Bridge). We then ended the day by going to Big Ben where we took pictures.

The students began Day 2 by traveling to Oxford for a guided tour. During the tour, we experienced its beautiful architecture, learned about student traditions, the history of the colleges, and how the university operates. After the tour, we had lunch before splitting into two groups. Some students chose to explore one of Oxford’s libraries instead of visiting the Museum of Natural Sciences History. Those who visited the library ended up at the Divinity School, where the infirmary scenes in Harry Potter were filmed. There, they learned about the history of the library above them, as well as the architecture, history, and laws of the school. Those students then proceeded to go to a different science museum where they learned about planets and how science has evolved. The students who went to The History of Natural Sciences museum at Oxford contained artifacts exploring topics such as magic, warfare, marine life, and more. It allowed us to see the numerous aspects of history from a variety of perspectives-which was rather interesting.

Our third day began with a trip to Buckingham Palace. After spending some time in the nearby park, we watched the Changing of the Guard. The group then went on a Harry Potter tour, since many scenes from the films were shot in London. During the tour, students had the opportunity to touch a wall that Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) touched during filming. Afterwards, everyone visited Camden Market, where the students shopped for souvenirs and gifts for their families. To end the day, we attended a performance of Wicked in London’s West End.

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

June 19th was mostly a travel day from London to Paris. But before we went to Paris, we took a short stop down to the Tower of London. Where we saw the Crown Jewels and all the super cool architecture and interesting animal sculptures spread all around. After our short but very detailed and interesting visit, we made it to the station where we had lunch. When we got on the train, most slept and recharged their batteries. Once the train arrived in Paris, the group powered through the heat because we are awesome travelers!

I really thought all the animal sculptures at the Tower of London were really cool because they were made of this weird material and then the train ride was a bit long but music and naps always help pass the time really quickly and once we arrived in Paris the heat hit me immediately but I think with a few days here it will feel a little bit more normal and the rest of Paris will be hopefully not that hot and cool down!

The next day in Paris began with a visit to “The Museum of Science and Industry.” All the students split up in groups and explored the museum’s collection of exhibits, which included interactive displays on mathematics, lots of robotics and technology, and an exhibit on the evolution of gaming. A highlight of the museum visit was the planetarium show. This displayed the different planets and galaxies on a large screen as if they were on a rocket ship.

After our time at the museum, our group made its way to the Eiffel Tower. The stairs were rather aggressive, but after a hard journey we made it to the top to see the breathtaking views of the city. Many students went to purchase souvenirs at the gift shop, selecting gifts for their loved ones back home. To conclude our eventful evening we returned to the hotel for a brief period of relaxation and freshening up. Later in the evening, we ventured out to dine at Tajmahal, an Indian restaurant by the hotel! It was delicious.

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21

Today’s GLA adventurers explored their second full day in Paris, where students gained important and meaningful experiences while working with Serve the City, a local organization. They prepared and distributed sandwiches and water to help feed those in need throughout the city. Volunteers, both local and international, are dedicated to making a difference and putting a smile on people’s faces.

After eating lunch at Serve the City, students walked to and boarded a boat on the Seine River. Whether inside the boat or up on the top, they were able to observe the calm waters and see an abundance of beautiful architecture, including the Eiffel Tower, while floating through Paris.

Following the Seine River, GLA ventured to a spot high above the city, Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. This area reveals a colorful side of Paris, full of entertainment, greenery, delicious food, street art, and stunning architecture. The blend of traditional buildings with a lively atmosphere creates a unique sense of spiritual beauty and cultural vibrance.

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22

Today, June 22nd, the group went to Versailles and the Louvre. In Versailles, we visited the Palace of Versailles where we had around an hour to explore in small groups, enjoying the architecture and the art. The grandeur of the Hall of Mirrors and the intricate details in each room left us all in awe. After that, we went to the Park of Versailles where we rented bikes and toured the beautifully scenic park. Riding along the tree-lined paths and past sparkling fountains, we felt like we’d stepped into a famous French painting. We stopped for lunch and had delicious French pastries and sandwiches by the lake, savoring the peaceful atmosphere and sharing stories about our favorite parts of the day so far.

After this, we traveled to the Louvre and did a scavenger hunt for many different famous pieces of art such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The scavenger hunt made exploring the vast museum even more exciting, as we raced to find each masterpiece and learn a little bit about its history. We took plenty of photos to document our whole trip there. We then ate dinner at a great Japanese restaurant where everyone enjoyed trying something new and sharing their favorite dishes. The day ended with a relaxed walk back to the hotel, where we packed our bags and chatted about our adventures, looking forward to the journey to Switzerland tomorrow!

---

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23

Today we woke up early to be able to make it to the United Nations Offices in Geneva. when we arrived there we first went upstairs and got to see the various gifts the UN has received from other countries. Following that we had to opportunity to spectate a conference that’s only held 3 times a year about humanitarian problems and this specific one heavily involved Sudan. We got to learn about the cool things we saw and that happen in these types of meetings. Then we went down to another conference room that’s more newer and this one is used for many different topics not just humanitarian rights. The tour ended off seeing the 17 goals that the UN want to reach by 2030. We left after visiting the souvenir shop and buying many things.

After visiting the UN we had such a fun experience at a chocolate factory. We got to learn how chocolate is made, try different kinds, and even design our own chocolate bars. Everyone’s design was super different and creative, which made it even more fun to see how unique we all are. After the factory eli picked a really good Italian restaurant for dinner and the whole group loved it. We had burgers and pizza, and just a really chill time laughing and talking about the day. We ended off with some of us playing a fun trivia game. Now we are heading back early so we can get some sleep and be ready for the next day which is gonna be amazing.

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

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

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!

---

COMING SOON!