The Young Leader

  • GLA Program Blogs
  • Gamechangers
  • Newsletters
  • About The Young Leader

March 22, 2013 by Jessica Miller Leave a Comment

Serve, Learn, and Explore: The GLA Way

GLA offers students opportunities to serve others, learn about other cultures and explore the world around them. Our high school summer programs combine a one-of-a-kind strategy for exploration, service and true learning that breaks cultural barriers.

The GLA way incorporates service and learning into a trip of a lifetime. Because students are getting out of a classroom and seeing things they’ve only read about, service trips like these really make learning come alive!

Serve

The service element gets participants involved in a local culture in a way that tourists can’t. Students interact with locals in countless ways, depending on their interests.

Those with a passion for sports can get involved in a Costa Rican volleyball team, for instance, becoming a role model and encouragement to the kids and teens there. Others could end up serving by teaching English to islanders in Bali. In every GLA program, service, exploration and education are woven together to create an unbeatable, life-changing journey.

Learn

Learning happens at many different levels on a high school service trip. High school volunteers can learn a language, learn about a nation’s history and learn how to get by in another culture. But perhaps even more meaningfully, GLA participants learn personal lessons that will last a lifetime–lessons in diversity, leadership and one’s relationship to the world around them.

Author Mary Anne Radmacher said, “I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” The truth is, international travel and service does change you, teaching you lessons that go far deeper than facts about history or the correct pronunciation of “Hola.”

Explore

Though service and learning are huge factors in every GLA trip, exploration is just as important. Excursions to different locations within destination countries and adventure trips keep every week interesting and exciting–whether participants are white-water rafting in Peru, hitting the beaches in Costa Rica or exploring Mayan ruins in Guatemala.

Excursions and explorations in destination countries make the history and culture of a place come alive, adding depth to book-learning and meaning to the culture of the people that students are there to serve.

Filed Under: Archive

January 3, 2013 by Jessica Miller Leave a Comment

Summer Search Helps Change High School Student’s Life

Dear Summer Search,

It feels like just yesterday when I stumbled onto an unfamiliar turf, into a crowd of a hundred bright innocent faces. “Americanos! Americanos!” they cheered, as eleven of us strolled into their polo. Girls tugging on our arms, pleading to take yet another picture with us. Boys lined up with a pen and paper in their hands, chanting “email, por favor!” Children of all ages pouncing on our backs, giving us another one of their big warm hugs and slobbery kisses. Now that is what I call love.

The moment I arrived at the polo, I was already certain that these upcoming three weeks would be life changing; from the sound of the children’s morning applauses and cheers to the mere sight of their smiling faces, all glowing with a sense of hope and curiosity. Staring into the eyes of each kid, I knew I meant more to them than a simple teen volunteer from America. I was their role model, one that they could look up to in times of struggles and fear. The dim truth that these children of Maracanau are emotionally distraught and physically abused is bewildering. They bury their unfortunate childhoods and manage to make the most of what they have. They roam the streets with a smile on their face, enter school with a burning desire to learn, and live their lives with full appreciation of everything they have and everything they can get.

And now I am left questioning myself, “Do I appreciate and make the most of what I have?” Growing up as the oldest of two, I carry a heavy load of responsibility. My parents are both Vietnam immigrants who came to America in search of a better and happier life. They struggled with assimilation; they cannot speak fluent English; they fight endlessly to earn enough to pay the bills; and yet, the main goal they have in mind is to keep my brother and I happy. But honestly, I have never really appreciated their selfless acts. I have long complained and wondered why I have to be the one growing up in a low-income family. Why am I the one who still rents a house? Why am I the one who always misses out on social events to baby-sit my younger brother? Why am I the one who feels immense pressure to succeed academically? Enough with the whys, but why not? Why can’t I be the girl that I really am?

I have always been embarrassed of who I was. What if others didn’t understand me? What if others would hate on me because I wasn’t like them? That sense of insecurity has done nothing but harm me. I was afraid to appear weak. I just didn’t want to be vulnerable. Therefore, I was that girl who would lock up all her emotions and cover up her worrisome troubles with a simple smile on her face. I always seemed to be happy. But I have had enough living that artificial life. That’s not who I am or who I want to be. And it was time I shed myself free from that superficial coating and it was time I faced reality.

Heading into Brazil on a Global Leadership Adventures’ program, designed to “defend the rights of children,” I knew I had to free myself of that superficial life. I could no longer hide my feelings, my insecurities, and my family stories, for those were the things that made me who I was.

It was an ordinary community meeting, when I decided it was time, time to break free. I let all my emotions out, as if there were no tomorrow, from stories about my family’s financial struggles to my personal sufferings of losing a loved one. I no longer feared being looked upon as weak. I no longer questioned whether others would understand me or not. And I no longer had to keep my feelings to myself. I learned that all thirty-four of my group mates were there for me, in times of trouble and need. In fact, many of them fought challenges of their own. Together, we shared our stories, breaking those walls that once separated each of us. And because those walls were broken, we only grew closer as a group and as a family.

I’ve learned that those walls are nothing but barriers that withhold me from seeking support, friendship, and reality. They were the forces that caused me to continue being the untrusting, quiet girl, who has long been afraid of speaking out. They caused me to fight battles within myself, as I was compelled to face my feelings, struggles, and challenges alone. But, no longer will these walls be put up. I will not allow myself to continue being that fearful girl, closed-up and insecure. Being more open only allows me to learn and develop my potentials and capabilities. With no barriers that stand in my way, I am now able to build stronger relationships without having to worry about others judging me. I am now able to share personal stories and experiences with others, allowing myself to reflect and learn about my past. And I am now able to bring out that strong leader I have always inside of me.

My three weeks in Brazil flashed by with a blink of the eye. The two hours spent every morning working with the kids will always be the highlight of my trip. The bond and friendship I formed with each and every child is surreal. Through the laughs and the tears, the kids and I both know that our lives are forever changed. The impact this experience has placed on me is inexplicable. Nothing can describe the love I have for these kids. And I will forever carry with me their energy, their passion, and their glowing spirits.

My walls have been broken and my reality has been faced. But, without Summer Search this would not have been possible. Through the struggles and the rewards, the failures and the success, I will always turn back to thank Summer Search, for they are the ones who support me through my endeavors, hold faith in me as I face challenges, and believe in me every step I take. Without them, I would still be that weak, locked-up girl that I once was. Again, thank you for all the opportunities and support you have given me.

With great gratitude,

Priscilla Luu

Filed Under: Archive

December 14, 2012 by Jessica Miller 1 Comment

Benefits of Volunteering in High School

Volunteering 101

College applicants have always sought ways to make positive impressions on admission committees. Outstanding grades, high SAT or ACT scores, outstanding athleticism (if blessed with the talent) and holding leadership positions in high school are all excellent ways to do so.

However, more and more colleges and universities are looking for evidence of social skills — volunteering, leadership, political involvement or community service — in addition to scholastic skills. From the institution’s perspective, its goal has expanded to include not just graduating a student educated in their desired subject, but to shaping a well-rounded graduate who contributes to society. A history of volunteerism on a student’s application is one indication that they already consider themselves a citizen of a community.

Benefits of Volunteering and Community Service

There are also enormous benefits to performing regular volunteer work or community service aside from impressing a college admissions counselor. Personal benefits come with exposure to new people and new situations, a type of cultural exposure impossible to replicate in the classroom. Empathy, appreciation and generosity are new personal attributes that volunteers often unconsciously adopt during their service. The community also benefits from the volunteer service, whether it is as small as a single nursing home or as large as the country. Each act of community service, every hour spent with one’s attention directed toward someone else is like another stitch in the fabric of a community: it strengthens bonds, is inclusive and minimizes the concept of “them.”

The Benefits of Volunteering Abroad

For many years, different religious organizations have offered their younger members the opportunity to volunteer abroad. Membership in that particular church, however, is usually a requirement for such an excursion. Many private organizations have developed to fill the needs of high school students who are seeking exposure to another culture, a volunteer experience to fill in on a college application and an enjoyable adventure. Typically based during the summer months when most US schools are not in session, these organizations offer trips all over the world and often include a specialization in volunteer service, such as medical care or renewable resources. Trips last as little as 10 days or as long as six weeks, depending upon the organization and its mission. They may require parental assistance or significant work on the part of the student to save money for the trip.

Bring It Back Home

When you participate in these volunteer activities, keep in mind that college admission committees are looking for evidence of real community service work. Your two-week “service adventure” to Costa Rica can be easily dismissed as a vacation if you are unable to demonstrate what you did there, as well as that you have continued volunteers activities upon your arrival home.

Volunteering is more than an opportunity to make a positive impression on college admissions departments; it’s also a way to explore the world, learn from new cultures and perform enriching public service. Volunteering is a great way to gain as much as you give.

Filed Under: Archive

December 17, 2009 by Jessica Miller Leave a Comment

Studies Show More Teens Travel to Africa

Very interesting report issued this week by the Family Travel Forum Consulting (FTFc) about trends in teen travel.

You can read the report here.

The survey of 5,700 teens showed that:

— 48% of teen applicants have traveled outside the United States by their 18th birthday.

— 29% of teens who vacationed with family traveled outside the U.S. and Canada

— 8 out of 10 teens seeking cultural enrichment joined study abroad programs while nearly 20% studied U.S. history and culture within their own country.

— Africa-Middle East saw the largest increase in outbound teen travel — 48% — as 4.3% of the 2009 applicants wrote about the region compared with just 2.9% in 2007.

This is extremely encouraging, especially considering that approximately 85% of Americans do not even have passports.

Not only has the drop in airfare (since deregulation in the 80’s) made international travel, but the choice of destinations is trending toward non-traditional destinations.

We interpret the rise in travel to Africa and volunteering as part of a much larger mega-trend of students caring more about international issues such as poverty and public health as well as a reduction in fear of traveling to unknown parts of the world.

Global Leadership Adventures has re-doubled its commitment to teen volunteer summer programs in Africa by offering programs in Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa.

Let’s hope this trend continues!

Filed Under: Archive, Wanderlust

October 8, 2009 by Jessica Miller Leave a Comment

Beyond Teen Summer Programs: Being a Global Citizen

After a great summer of programming, hundreds of teens volunteering abroad, and thousands of unforgettable memories, it’s now time to return to school. My hope is that the pressures of school, sports and college admissions will not dilute the impact of the student’s summer experiences. In fact, now is the time to begin to really take action.

I have always believed that international volunteer programs like Global Leadership Adventures are really a starting point for young global citizens.

So, I was thrilled to see GLA Tanzania alumnae, Brittney Calzone, featured in an article in the local newspaper in Redding, Connecticut.  Brittney started a drive to collect books for the Himo Secondary School that GLA works with in Tanzania.  If you read the article, you’ll see that Brittney is trying to figure out how to ship the books to Tanzania – if anyone can help, please contact us and we’ll connect you with Brittney.

In the coming weeks, I will continue to post stories about students who are staying involved in global issues and new opportunities that exist for teens right in their own backyard!

Filed Under: Archive

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Give Back to the Community

Donate to the GLA International Foundation and help support projects and grant recipients around the world.

Brought to you by

Copyright © 2023 · Executive Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in