Rise and shine! Have you ever wanted to wake up to an epic sunrise? Or take an astonishing trek through tropical rainforests, rippling dunes, jagged mountains, and lush highlands?

Africa, with all its beauty and personality, inspires an ecstatic state of childlike wonder. As the natural birthplace of civilization, it’s accentuated by a rich, diverse culture. And there’s so much more.

For you all you motivated adventurers and passionate volunteers, we present you with 4 African Countries that Shouldn’t be Missed:

1. Ghana
2. Egypt
3. Tanzania
4. Madagascar

Ghana

The heart and soul of any country lies with its people. Many of you aspiring college students will have the good fortune of rooming with an international student. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a fantastic roommate from Ghana, and he loves talking about home. Building real relationships with natives can help make any traveling experience much more meaningful and authentic.

What Charles (my roommate) goes on and on about, besides soccer and the latest Chief Keef Album, is how delicious Ghanaian food is.

So if you ever plan to visit Ghana, definitely sample the local cuisine and perhaps even volunteer to help prepare it!

Egypt

You have probably heard of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. What you may not know is that Dubai is actually building life-size replicas of all seven in their Falconcity of Wonders by 2220.

If you want to see the only wonder still standing today, then be sure to check out the Pyramids of Giza.

Tanzania

Now that you’re completely stuffed with Ghanaian food and blown away by seeing the pyramids firsthand, I personally invite you on a hiking trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.

This is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and certainly the highest in Africa. If you’re up for the rigor and adventure, then consider this as your once-in-a-lifetime challenge. If hiking up gigantic mountains isn’t really your thing, then you can still check out the view from Moshi town as you can see below. You can sip your cold beverage in complete leisure as those silly people go running up mountains.

Madagascar

The beautiful rainforests, colorful and lavish plant-life, and the unique variety of animals are plenty of reasons to check out this island country.

If nothing else, visit it because there are lemurs (you know you want to!).

Contributed by Nick Fochtman

Have you ever wanted to travel to South America, but you aren’t sure which countries you should visit? Do you want to truly get to know South American culture, but you don’t know how to accomplish that? Although every country is amazing to visit, here are five South American countries that should be on the top of your bucket list:

1. Peru

Lush, historical, and diverse, Peru has a little bit of everything. Do you love the outdoors? From beautiful emerald forests to awesome beach waves to giant mountains, Peru will leave you breathless. Or maybe you like history? Visit Machu Picchu, a discovered site of Inca ruins, and see beautiful Peru along the hike. You’ll get a taste of the culture, too, when you volunteer with Peruvian children in historic Cusco. It will make your trip unforgettable.

2. Chile

Chile is another South American country that needs be on your bucket list. Though on the globe it looks like a thin strip of land, Chile offers a lot to see and do in person. The country is covered mostly by the Andes Mountains, offering some great snowy landscapes that can’t be missed. When you want to warm up, hop on a boat and journey the short distance to Easter Island, where you can see the large Moai head statues. If you are daring, hike Chile’s Patagonia and see incredible views of mountains.

3. Ecuador

Don’t miss out on Ecuador while you’re traveling through South America! Journey to the famous Galapagos Islands just a short ways from Ecuador’s coast, where you won’t only get to see amazing animals that have developed primarily independently from continental species, but you can work with those animals to protect them. You may not want to leave when you’re done! Ecuador also holds part of the Amazon rainforest. You can experience native cultures and traditions, and see even more wild animals. Awesome and unique, Ecuador is definitely a worthwhile country to see.

4. Bolivia

Bolivia is not often glorified as a South American country that you have to see…but it should be. True, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone to see Bolivia. The incredible mountains and various natural features don’t always make travel easy, but the views are so worth the effort. One thing you don’t want to miss while in Bolivia is the Salar de Uyuni, a vast salt flat. While this doesn’t sound attractive, when wet, the flat transforms into a reflection of the sky, making it a heavenly sight that is found nowhere else on earth.

5) Brazil

Finally, a chat about South American countries would not be complete without mentioning Brazil. In Brazil, there are nearly infinite adventures, outdoor activities, and nature experiences to enjoy. You can visit Iguazu Falls, a magnificent range of mighty waterfalls that you can stroll alongside. Or, if you want to see a “zoo,” head to the Pantanal wetlands where unique animals roam and thrive. And don’t forget that Brazil is hosting the 2016 Olympics, too! With its colorful, spontaneous attitude towards life, Brazil is a South American country that is a lot of fun to visit.

Remember that you could travel to Peru and the Galapagos Islands through Global Leadership Adventures! So which of these cool South American countries do you want to visit the most? Tell us in the comments below!

Contributed by Addie Davis

In today’s age, it’s pretty easy to get caught up in the simplicity of exploring the world from our fingertips. With almost no time, effort, or money, we can use the internet to transport ourselves halfway across the globe and experience virtually all that a place has to offer. But that’s the thing, “virtually.” By forgoing the actual travel, we miss out on some of the most incredible aspects of the experience, and deprive ourselves of the opportunities and challenges presented by physically leaving what we find comfortable and venturing out into the unknown. It’s intimidating and nerve-racking, sure, but that’s what makes these adventures so exciting! They’re unpredictable, and can often lead to some of the most amazing sights, sounds, memories, and friendships. So as we continue to move through life, let’s look for and seize as many of these opportunities as we can, and if you need a few great places to start, try checking out these Five Amazing Places for Gen Z & Millennials:

China

As such a large and diverse country, it’s almost more difficult to not start an adventure here than it is to stumble across one. Whether you favor major cities, like Shanghai and Beijing, or the most remote places on Earth, like the jungles of Motuo, you can find almost any setting to match your ideal destination. Plus, it’s really easy on the wallet! Average prices in China are much lower than in the US, and for only $0.30, you can ride the subway or buy an entire meal!

Fiji

While many people have heard of this collection of islands East of Australia, not many seem to know much about it. For example, did you know that it has an incredibly prosperous economy, thanks in large part to a wealth of natural resources, and is home to almost a million people? Fiji has a number of other amazing characteristics, and some of the best can only be discovered by venturing around some of the 300+ beautiful islands belonging to this archipelago.

India

Unfortunately known by some as impoverished and densely populated, India has an incredibly rich history, and a uniquely vast culture that will take you far beyond its appearance. When visiting, you can travel anywhere from the mountains that border Nepal, to the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal or Hampi, which rank among some of the most beautiful historical structures in the world.

Indonesia

Another extraordinary place to visit in the Asia Pacific is Indonesia, a country known for one of the most active volcanic regions on the planet, as well as an impressively biodiverse environment, being home a variety of species like Tigers, Rhinoceros, Leopards, and Orangutans. But the diversity doesn’t just happen on land. Indonesia has one of the most varied aquatic environments as well, so next time you visit, try snorkeling above one of its many coral reefs.

Thailand

Just north of Indonesia is Thailand, and this country is not only home to one of America’s favorite foreign foods, but it also some of the most unbelievable ruins and villages in all of the Asia Pacific region. If you’ve ever seen an old James Bond movie, and wondered where those beautifully sharp-faced islands reside, try exploring the frequently visited islands just off the coast. You might recognize the scenery!

But wherever your journey begins, make sure to do everything you can to absorb the settings around you. Computers, and the internet, are amazing technological advances, and have provided a wealth of knowledge, but some of the best things can only be experienced by being there in person.

Contributed by Spencer Scholes