Interestingly, while many of our students are excited about the idea of spending their summer vacation doing community service, many of their parents seemed perplexed by this concept. It seems that among some adults there just isn’t the understanding that volunteering abroad is a great way to connect directly with the local people in a country. However, this seems to be changing as adult “volunteer vacations” seem to be gaining in popularity. Here’s an article from the CBS Early Show about Volun-Tourism.
Trends in Student Interest
We are currently in the peak season for summer programs. Traffic on www.experienceGLA.com is at an all time high, our phones are ringing off the hook, and programs are filling up.
So, this is also the most good time to study student interest. One interesting observation is that more web site visitors click on our Latin American programs than any other program offering. However, of the students who actually apply to our programs, the Africa programs have the highest enrollment. Latin America is in second place, Asia in third.
This might mean that while Latin America is generally a more popular region for students, the students who actually join Global Leadership Adventures tend to skew slightly more towards Africa. Does that mean they’re more adventurous? We’ll soon find out once our programs begin in a few months!
Masai Bush Camp: Beadmaking
It’s amazing how a few seconds of video can communicate more than a couple of written blog posts. I love how the background sounds give you the full effect of being there – the goats bleating, children crying, etc…
Living with the Masai
I’ll be offline for the next 10 days. Not because of workload or technology issues. But because I’ll be living with the Masai people in Northern Tanzania.
Global Leadership Adventures has a new program that is only on our web site (not in the course catalog) – Masai Bush Camp.
I’m leading a group of students and faculty from the prestigous Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City on a customized version of this program. In addition to the standard program we’ll also go on safari in the Serengeti to see the wildebeest migration.
However, the Masai Bush Camp program is primarily focused on community service and learning about the Masai culture first hand. We’ll volunteer to fix up the local school and possibly also a water well for cattle. In the afternoons we’ll meet with village elders, learn about their social structure, and even how to throw a spear, herd cattle and make beads.
I’ll post photos and post-program updates upon return. In the meanwhile, read more about the Masai here.
