The Young Leader

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Peru in Photos

Peru, Peru, Peru. We could try to describe it, but there are just no words that can paint an accurate picutre. Peru has been one of the most popular destinations with tourists, students, and volunteers for decades. What keeps people coming back? A rich traditional culture that in many areas is largely untouched; unique flavors and creative dishes; vast, colorful landscapes–these are just a few of the things that makes Peru so special.

The Spanish Service Adventure gets artsy with some traditional Peruvian crafts taught by local artisans. Looking good, guys!

Students on Children of the Andes getting their manual labor on as they work to complete a community structure with help from the professionals.

Meanwhile, Children of the Andes is deep in writing exercises as they assist in a village elementary school. All work and no play is no way to live–a break for playtime is a must!

Foundations of Global Health students shadow medical professionals as they complete routine health screenings in rural, low-income communities. Prevention is a huge part of healthcare, but many villages in the Sacred Valley do not have access to the basics.

What a view! Service in the Sacred Valley students cover some serious ground on the Lares Trek just east of Machu Picchu. This two-day hike brings breathtaking views and a serious sense of accomplishment.

The magic of time lapse photography! The world spins as sleepy students rest under a starry night sky in the Urabamba Mountains.

There she is! MaPi in all her glory. Machu Picchu is definitely the highlight of many students’ Peru experiences and a big “check” on the ol’ bucket list.

Our certified guide gives students the scoop on the significance of this UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built in the 1400s at the height of the Inca empire; while we know the how and the when, there is still much mystery surrounding the function of this monument, and the reason for its abandonment.

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Dominican Republic Dreamin’

The Dominican Republic: what’s not to like? Caribbean breezes, meaningful projects, long-standing local partners with an amazing relationship with community leaders, and a theme for every interest make the DR a prime location to spend 8, 10, 14, or 21 days.

Dominican Republic Options

Building A Sustainable World™ (21 days)

Global Health Initiative™ (14 days)

Caribbean Service Adventure (10 days)

Spring Break Global Health Initiative™ (8 days)

Service

The “bottle building” is a Dominican Republic classic, and one of our most long-standing service projects. Students and community members kill two birds with one stone as they use plastic bottles, many collected from roadsides and landfills, to construct a community building.

Get your game face on! Students prepare for a day at the construction site.

Global Health Initiative incorporates time with medical brigades to give students a taste of life in a public health career.

 

Learning

Working with the community and learning from local pros is what service-learning is all about! Students get a lesson from a local medical health professional in the field.

Aaaah, the delicate art of coconut opening. A lesson might be in order!

Students learn a little more about the Dominican Republic’s colonial history through a city tour.

Adventure

Water that clear is just ASKING to be enjoyed! Group shot in the warm & wonderful Caribbean sea

Our fearless leader scopes out the ocean on a catamaran cruise

It’s always better when we’re together! Enjoying a final beach day before heading home.

Hike Mt. Brison for amazing island views and a vigorous workout.

 

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The Mountains Are Calling

There’s something special about the mountains–maybe it’s the spectacular views, the gradual change in climate and terrain, or the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the peak. Last week was International Mountain Day. In homage to the mountains, we’ve compiled some of our best mountain photos from last summer’s excursions. Enjoy!

 

A quiet, cool morning waiting for the fog to clear on the Lares Trek in Peru (Peru: Service In The Sacred Valley™)

Hike a half-day into the rural mountains outside of Shaxi until you come to this hidden gem! A beautiful temple is carved into the hillside, just waiting to be explored. (China: Mandarin Service Adventure)

You’ve never seen mountains like this before! The Rainbow Mountain in Peru is a photographer’s paradise. (Peru: Service Through The Lens™)

Pastoral views from the route up Mt. Brison (Dominican Republic: Caribbean Service Adventure)

Snow-capped mountains, winter sunlight, hiking companions…aaaaah. The perfect day. (Peru: Service In The Sacred Valley™)

This is as mountain-y a it gets in Fiji–but the views are still A+! See the entire Yasawa island chain from the ridge, just a short hike from the Home Base. (Fiji: Children Of The South Pacific™)

 

 

 

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Bon Voyage Travel Guide

Our Travel Coordinators have been around the world a time or two.

Combined, the seven ladies that make up GLA’s pre-departure team have traveled thousands of miles to dozens of countries across almost every continent both as GLA staff members and independently. (We’re coming for you, Antarctica!) Pouring all those years of experience into helping teen travelers prepare to navigate their adventures abroad is what they do best.

We picked their brains for advice on how to keep international travel fun, comfortable, and hassle-free!

Pack Light

The first step to any journey is packing. All agree that when it comes to luggage, less is more, especially when traveling to more rustic locations. Using the smallest bag possible (think backpack or carry-on vs. full-sized suitcase), staying organized, and considering needs vs wants are all key components of a successful pack.

“If laundry service is available (and it is on two- and three-week programs) you need a maximum of 10 days worth of clothes. You’ll find yourself wearing your favorite shorts everyday anyway!” –Rachel

“Packing cubes are the best! It makes the packing/unpacking process so much faster. Invest in multiple cubes and then keep like items together. Then you won’t have to go digging through your bag for a pair of socks.” — Lauren

“Feel like a packing wizard and pack twice the clothes of your peers just by rolling your clothing items instead of folding! Remember to use your shoes or water bottles to store your socks or other small items. It’s a great use of space, and every inch counts. –Rachel

“If you’re like me, your eyes will be opened to the needs and wants of those around you. Instead of bringing your ‘favorite’ or best items, maybe pack some clothes you wouldn’t mind donating or leaving behind. Not only are you lightening your load, you’re also leaving a piece of yourself behind in the country that impacted you forever.” –Brittany

The less bogged down you are, the freer you’ll be for adventuring!

 

Remember the Essentials

Believe it or not, every year we see at least one student who arrives at the airport on time, bags packed, boarding passes printed…but without their passport. Or imagine this scenario: you stop to eat a meal on a layover and accidentally throw your passport away with your burrito wrapper. True story. Don’t let this happen to you!

Keeping your travel documents (passport, itinerary, address of where you’ll be staying in country) and anything else you can’t live without on you is key. (Think prescription medications, a change of clothing, contact lenses, etc.) If you can’t imagine going a day or two without, keep it in your carry-on. While most luggage makes it to its destination without issue, checked baggage does come with the risk of being delayed.

“Always keep your passport in the same place and try not to put it in your pants pockets, as that’s a great way to lose it. I have a pouch with a zipper where I like to keep my passport and boarding passes. Anytime I take them out, I put them right back in when I’m done.” –Heather

“Passport, medication, spending money…anything else is replaceable. Keep these on you until you arrive at your destination! Keep an eye on your carry on. I like to keep my essentials in a small backpack, that way I can find what I need quickly (i.e. my passport, flight itinerary, etc) and immigration lines are a breeze!” -Brittany

Do as the pros do: keep your essentials with you throughout the flight for maximum comfort and preparedness

 

Win at Airplane-ing

OK, so a non-stop, 14-hour flight on a cramped airplane might not sound like everyone’s idea of a good time–but you an weather it like a champ with a little preparation. Catch some zzzs, finally watch that movie (or five) that you missed in the theater, play a game of seat-back airplane trivia, get to know your fellow travelers, or obliterate your summer reading list. (The Travel Portal has some great recommendations for books & films related to your program.) The options are endless!

“Bring a pen! You will have to fill out a customs form, and it’s much easier when you have your own pen. Be the hero of your row!” –Rachel

“I always travel with a sarong in my carry on bag. Having an extra light layer can come in handy on those chilly flights. More importantly, it’s nice to shield your sleeping face from view and sarongs are so light, and as they are very thin you can breathe easily through them.”. –Heather

“Be strategic when picking your seat. Want to snooze? The window seat makes for good resting. Frequent bathroom goer? Opt for the aisle. I love looking out the window and trying to identify landmarks as we go.” –Jenica

“Bring a hoodie for the flight! Even if you are going to a country that is super hot, airports and planes are often cold. A hoodie will be a lifesaver!” –Rachel

“Some airlines don’t offer seat-back TVs anymore, and for some US to Latin America flights they instead offer a streaming service to your phone. If you were banking on passing the time with movies, make sure to download the app in advance as it’s usually too late to do it on the plane.” –Ros

“Stay hydrated! Sitting for long periods of time can do a number on your digestive system and make for an uncomfortable flight. Drinking lots of water will help keep you feeling fly while you fly. If your flight is longer than a few hours, take a stroll through the aisles periodically as well.” –Jackie

If you’re looking for packing tips and ideas, GLA’s Pinterest page has got you covered. Check us out for packing tips, sustainable product recommendations, teen reading lists, and more!

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Teen Volunteer Opportunities: From Close to Home to Far Away

There are plenty of ways to volunteer and there’s most likely one that fits your liking. Whether you’re looking for something close to home, at your college, or abroad – there’s a way to get involved and spend your time. We’ve compiled a quick list to make things easy!

If you’re in your hometown:

  1. Tutor. Maybe it’s your friends little brother that could use some help with math or someone at school. It could be a person you know or a complete stranger. Take a look at local organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America and your local library to see what’s out there. And if school isn’t your jam, you could always help by coaching a sport!
  1. Write. This could be anything from a letter to a congressman about an issue your passionate about to writing a letter to troops who are far away. Check out Operation Gratitude, Soldiers Angels, or do a quick Google search to find other organizations that can send your letter to stationed military. It’s like being a pen pal but for a good cause!
  1. Donate. Give your time to a neighbor who might need help with yard work, or gather your friends together and bring your old clothes to a Goodwill. Donating and hanging out, talk about a score! You can also spend some time at a retirement home and play chess, checkers, or hear about someone else’s life stories. The opportunities are endless.

If you’re a part of the summer springboard at Berkeley or Yale:

  1. Community Service Project. Whether you’re at Berkeley or Yale, both have a project that gives back to the local community. After spending some time in the area, you’ll have learned a lot and the skills you’ve acquired will be used in community service. Plus you’ll get a certificate for 8 hours worth.
  1. Academic Trips. While not really a form of volunteering, you’ll definitely be learning. Depending on what you’re studying – medicine and public health, law and government, and many others – you will visit a professional environment in that field. Make sure to make connections to those working because who knows, the opportunity may arise for you to volunteer at that organization!
  2. Explore. When part of springboard you’ll have plenty of opportunities to venture into the city, to dive into the subject you chose to focus on, and to meet new people. Take all of it in and let that inspire you in a different way. Maybe it will confirm what you want to do academically in college or give you a new idea on how to get involved in that field, or perhaps try something different altogether.

If you’re a part of the GLA volunteer programs overseas:

  1. Teach. There are many opportunities for you to help teach English or literacy to kids who are struggling with it. A great country to look at is the program in Africa like Tanzania. And if science is more your thing, then look into the GLA program in Bali, where you’ll be sharing about modern day medicine.
  1. Work. Regardless of what GLA program you decide to partake in you will end up working in that environment. It could look like anything from building a house to restoring traditional temples. Talk about trying new things! Be sure to check out the different countries that GLA has to offer and see which one you would want to spend the most time in!
  1. Give Back. Without even realizing it, you’ll be giving back to the community that you are in. From helping with the specific destination needs to becoming friends with the locals, you’ll have made an impact in the country.

Which of these wonderful volunteer opportunities for teens would you choose? Let us know in the comments!

Contributed by Samantha Watkins

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