The Young Leader

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How Do I Stay Safe While Traveling?

It seems that every day, we’re subjected to sensationalized news stories about international travelers who are caught in dangerous situations or shady scenarios.

It’s true- when you go abroad, cultural differences and language barriers can be problematic. But the bigger issue is that often, people who are traveling abroad are not informed, not armed with the knowledge of what to do, where to go, and how to keep oneself safe in a new place.

Everyone has their own opinion and their own stories. We hear that Mexico is not safe because our neighbor’s sister went to Tijuana on a weekend getaway and was robbed, or we learn that traveling to Nicaragua is dangerous because we saw a story on the news about a drug bust.

It’s important to talk to others who have traveled abroad, of course, but there’s one tool- arguably, our strongest one- that too often goes overlooked in the travel industry. The United States Department of State is our fiercest ally when it comes to safe and responsible travel, and at Global Leadership Adventures, we take safe travel very seriously.

The Department of State was established in 1789 as the first executive department of the US Government. It is led by our Secretary of State, and holds the reigns in the area of US foreign policy.

Their mission: To “Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system.”

They are responsible for:

  • Assisting American businesses in the international marketplace
  • Supporting international activities and diplomatic efforts
  • Keeping US Citizens in the loop when it comes to foreign policy and international relations
  • Assisting and protecting Americans who are working or traveling abroad

That last responsibility is key. At Global Leadership Adventures, we’re not going to take the advice of an acquaintance or someone on Trip Advisor over the official advice of the US Department of State. We follow their guidelines, suggestions, requirements and precautions by the book, because they’re constantly monitoring conditions, political climate and safety of every country in the world.

Since we operate in developing countries, and we work exclusively with teenagers, we’re incredibly careful when it comes to pre-departure preparations and paperwork, vaccinations, and ensuring that we only bring students to volunteer in areas that are incredibly safe. We also offer additional safety measures, like having local staff that live in the area year round, 24-hour security and surveillance, and private transportation while in country. Learn more about the GLA 5-Point Safety System.

Remember to always check the Department of State website prior to booking travel to ensure the area you are traveling is secure. Their website is also the ultimate source on recommended vaccinations, required travel documentation, and ways to ensure your safety while abroad.

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A Day in the Life of an International GLA Volunteer

Ever wondered what it would be like to volunteer in an international developing country? Take a look at “A Day in the Life” of Global Leadership Adventures high school volunteers!

Morning

Spend your morning doing meaningful service for a local community. Whether you’re teaching, building, or simply visiting those in need, it’s the most powerful way to start each morning!
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Afternoon

Adventures, excursions, and plenty of time to soak up the ins-and-outs of a new country and culture.
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Evening

Unwind after action-packed days with great food, new friends, and opportunities for learning and reflection.
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Looks amazing, right? The way these GLA Alumni tell the story, it is.

And, you don’t have to take our word for it! Join a GLA Facebook Group and interact with thousands of students who have gone on GLA programs, see photos from their trips, and more.

Call (858) 771-0454 to learn how you can travel on a GLA program or start your application now.

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5 Benefits of Educational Travel

Anytime you can experience the richness of cultures different from your own — by talking with people of other nationalities, travelling internationally, trying foods from other countries and embracing other educational experiences that fall outside of your comfort zone — you grow and change in positive ways. And this is just the kind of personal development that can help you stand out in the eyes of college admissions counselors and future employers in a competitive field of other strong candidates.

For those who can physically get away, international travel, cultural immersion programs and volunteer abroad service programs offer unparalleled exposure to the customs, language and everyday life of diverse communities. This experience is imperative for anyone who’s serious about pursuing public service or global relations work as part of a business or political career.

Specifically, here are five ways educational travel can improve your life:

  • Sharpens self-awareness: Gathering firsthand information about the world — seeing different landscapes, experiencing the challenges of certain cultures, listening to the opinions of people in other nations — provides a level of mindfulness that’s often tough to shake. Profound experiences give people a sense of place and purpose, and they establish lifelong values and priorities.

  • Enhances perspective: Exposure to the problems and perks of other lifestyles helps people break out of cultural-centric thinking. Having a broad awareness of how other people live and what other cultures prioritize can trigger solutions and ideas that don’t necessarily rely on familiar habits and comforts. Cultural immersion through travel and service programs can also help break down language barriers and open new channels of lifelong communication.

  • Fosters independence: Living and working for any amount of time in a culture that’s different from home can help prepare students for college in ways more profound than any sleep-away camp or vacation can. This enriching experience challenges students to open their minds regarding food, friends and basic needs. After all, it’s tougher to take things for granted in unfamiliar situations.

  • Strengthens leadership skills: A person who’s been there and done that simply has more credibility than those who rely on lip service. Instead of relying on others’ opinions, travelers establish perspective, confidence and conviction that make it easier to gain the respect of others. Plus, international travel, especially with a group or through a program, provides students with a global network of contacts and references.

  • Demonstrates courage: Travelling away from the comfort of friends, family and familiar surroundings is tough. But doing it shows that a person is interested enough in the rest of the world, and confident enough in him- or herself to venture out and discover other parts of the world. This is a character trait that’s very appealing to colleges and employers.

No matter what your life goals are, travel can provide important perspectives and help you discover what really makes you tick. Explore high school volunteer abroad programs and find out how international travel can make a real difference in your life.

 

 

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How Safe is My Teenager on an International Trip?

When my son first approached me about volunteering in Africa, I was both proud and nervous.  I was proud that my son had absorbed the values I tried to teach him as a child.  I was nervous that my baby (he was 17, but he’ll always be my baby) wanted to travel to a region of the world that I knew very little about.  My husband was even more reluctant than I, but we agreed to get the facts before deciding.

We started by reading some articles about Tanzania, and Africa in general.  It turns out that both GLA destinations in Africa are stable, safe countries with a rich culture and a tradition of welcoming Western visitors.  When we spoke to alumni students and parents, they confirmed this.  It was so reassuring to hear directly from actual parents and students who had traveled to these places.  Suddenly, I could imagine my own son being there.

What finally tipped our decision in favor of my son’s trip was learning about Global Leadership Adventure’s unique program model.  Unlike other organizations, GLA actually operates their own “home bases” in Africa.  These are lodging facilities controlled and supervised by GLA, exclusively used by its students and staff.  This level of control over the environment gave me great comfort.

Eventually we agreed to the trip, and l was able to witness the entire GLA 5-Point Safety System in action.  The lodging was secure, the staff were inspiring, the meals were a culinary adventure, the locals were welcoming, and my son was always transported safely.

Most importantly, when our son returned from his trip, we were so impressed by how much he had matured over the course of just one summer!  His perspective had broadened and his understanding of global issues had deepened.  The growth he experienced was perceptible to the whole family.  Now, we’re just waiting for our younger daughter to be old enough to do a GLA program.

Sincerely,

Sue Cuthbert

Enrollment Advisor-Global Leadership Adventures

About the author: Sue Cuthbert is the mother of two teenagers.  Her son Matthew participated in the Global Leadership Adventures program in Tanzania. Sue was so impressed by the impact the program made on her son that she came to work for GLA.  She continues to volunteer in her community and is waiting for her younger daughter to finish her freshman year of high school before she goes on her GLA program.

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10 Quick Tricks for Preventing Homesickness!

Spending a summer overseas can be one of the most fulfilling, rewarding experiences of your life. But it can be tough to get used to being away from home. All the things that make travel worthwhile – the new perspective you gain on the world and the unfamiliar cultures you’ll experience – can also be some of the most challenging aspects of travel.

You’ll be sleeping in a different bed, hearing a different language spoken and getting to know people you’ve never met. That’s a lot to take in at once! But overcoming homesickness is completely doable. Here are a few tips.

1. Get out there

Crowds in a foreign subway station? You can handle it! When you find a situation that makes you uncomfortable, take the time to overexpose yourself to it until you’re more relaxed there. By getting out of your comfort zone immediately, you’ll find that the transition is much easier to make.

2. Eat what the locals eat

Trying new things is just another way to immerse yourself in a new culture. The traditions surrounding a meal tell you a lot about local life. Figuring out what you like and where to find it will make your stay in a foreign country much more comfortable.

3. Use social media

Take advantage of Facebook, Twitter and other social networks to stay in touch with your friends back home. Even if you don’t have an international cell phone plan, you can use the Internet just about anywhere you are to stay connected to friends and family.

4. Plan for emergencies

By knowing where you are, how to contact others with whom you are traveling and how to ask for help in your volunteer abroad situation, you’ll feel in control of your situation and ready to handle whatever comes up.

5. Have safe lodging 

Our homebase lodging allows you to stay with other students so you can stay in a home-away-from-home environment which is comfortable, safe, and secure, and brings a sense of community to your group.

6. Get into a routine

It’ll help you feel in control of the situation and make you feel like you’re living a normal life, rather than just floating around the world on a whim.

7. Look for gifts for friends

You’ll feel more connected with them. And they’ll thank you for it! Even a trinket from a foreign country can mean the world to a friend back home.

8. Take time to be a tourist

Go see everything there is to see when you have time — you can hit the tourist highlights as well as the local ones.

9. Exercise regularly

When you’re active and moving around, you feel better about yourself and the world around you. The same is true when you’re studying abroad.

10. Find your hobbies

Chances are good you can find your hobbies and expand on them while you travel!

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