Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15

Hello families!

Today was our arrival day. After long flights and a layover in Lima, the group made it to Cuzco. From there, we drove to our Home Base in Pisac. It took us just over one hour, but the scenic views of the Sacred Valley were definitely worth it .

Everyone settled into their rooms and ventured through the Home Base (Aroma de Cafe) for the next three weeks. For lunch we had our first taste of delicious Peruvian food. We warmed up with some fun games and icebreakers and went over our Orientation.

After dinner we played more games!

By the end, everyone was ready for some deserved rest, but also full of excitement for what tomorrow will bring. Until next time!

André, Ana, Meg & Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16

Hello again GLA families!

Today was our first full day in Pisac! We started the day with a delicious breakfast buffet. Right after it was time for an important group activity: the Community Agreement! After some reflection everyone came up with something that will make this experience even better.

We then filled our water bottles, packed our daypacks with extra layers and set out to explore the beautiful town of Pisac. We learned about the history of this place and we spent some time exploring the market.

In the afternoon, we participated in a welcome ceremony called Pago a La Tierra. Surrounded by mountains covered with clouds, the atmosphere was just perfect. An Incan shaman orchestrated an offering ritual for Mother Earth as a way to ground us together in our new home and prepare us for the rest of the trip.

After our ceremony we had a group dinner, played more games and assigned our first student leaders of the day.

Congrats Sarah and Adriana! You will hear from them tomorrow!

André, Ana, Meg and Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 17

Third day at GLA and today our group went on a reality tour! Seeing Cuzco from a whole new perspective! We travelled all across the mountains to learn more about local hospitals, schools, and art. Through this experience we worked alongside the non-profit MED-LIFE to get to know more about Peruvian medical and educational disparities and differences. We can’t wait to make a difference at out first clinic day tomorrow!

Signing off—- Adriana and Sarah!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18

Today the GLA Peru Foundations of Global Health Team completed their first clinical day at a Mobile Pop-Up Clinic in Ccatca through a partnership with Medlife. We worked closely with medical professionals in Triage, Education, Toothbrushing, Dental, Pharmacy, and Medical Evaluations (of which every student will continue to rotate through all of in the next week).

For our blog post, we decided to interview some students and mentors in order to appropriately understand and appreciate their experiences.

The interviewees were prompted with the following questions:

What did you do today?
What was your favorite part of the day?
How was today meaningful, and what impact will it have on you in the future?

Sarah: I worked in dentistry and toothbrushing. I loved being able to hang out with the locals, and the kids specifically because we had the best conversations. The most meaningful part of the day for me was learning just how important it is to have these pop up clinics to makes healthcare accessible to those who otherwise might not be able to access it.

Meg: I had a really good time watching every student here excel at the medical clinic, I’m really proud of how everyone faced these new challenges and stayed calm cool and collected. Everyone tried new things, which is the whole point.

Urbano: what I did today is I helped to set up the stations and the chairs and tables, we had to improvise to find more. I was focused on the toothbrush station, in some moments it was very calm, and other moments it became very hectic. By the end of the day we covered over 150 kids. For me, it was meaningful to see the very old ladies being in so much pain, but still putting on a smile. That will stick with me.

Sam: I did the toothbrushing station and the doctor station. I really enjoyed the toothbrushing station because it made me happy seeing all of those kids get healthier. My meaningful take away is that we have it really good, and that we should not take our privilege for granted.

Conrad: I learned dentistry from the dentist, and it was cool to see how we were able to help so many people in one day. It’s amazing how much you can help better the lives of so many people in just 8 hours through dentistry.

Mina: So today I worked at the triage station and the dental station and at the triage station I took blood pressure so I basically had to wrap the wrap around their arm to check their blood pressure with the machine, which was really cool because I got to see my own blood pressure, but I feel like my favorite part of Today was the dental station because I got to get like super hands-on and I got to see like the problems that people have with oral hygiene and I got to see people‘s teeth get pulled out so that was really really different from what I’m used to.

Thank you for reading!

Blog made by Evie and Matilda

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Hi everyone!

Today the group had their second day of medical service with med life! Everyone is switching to different rotations and doing great taking on new roles. The group has been so hardworking and are doing great communicating with each other. Tomorrow we are going to Poc Poc to see a waterfall and go hiking! You’ll be updated tomorrow night on how it goes.

Sincerely,

Rowan and Briella

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21

Hello GLA families!

Today we started off our day with a filling breakfast. We made our way to huanca village for our 3rd day of clinics where we continued to rotate through the stations. Although we had less patients today we still impacted 24 lives. We also learned a lot with the doctors and nurses that are working with us.

After we returned we did a scavenger hunt around Pisac while learning a lot from the locals and asking them questions to complete the hunt. While in town we took a pit stop to get some yummy empanadas from the local empanaderia.

We ended the day with warm delicious soup, rice, and chicken. Tonight we will get a good nights rest for our last day of clinics tomorrow.

– Alyssa and Evie

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 22

Hola,

Today was our 4th and final clinic day. Although many of us were tired, we were still able to provide help to another community in the Andes Mountains. The clinics were a very eye opening experience because we were exposed to the conditions seen in many communities.

Later in day, we received a presentation that informed us about the significance of different plants in Incan culture.

Adios,

Ximena and Xander

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25

Hey everyone!

The past three days have been very eventful! We went to Cusco for two days and today we went white water rafting.

The first day we went to Cusco we started off by doing a cooking class and made lomo saltado, picarones, and passion fruit juice which we ate for lunch. Then we walked around a market and try some mystery cheese that half of the group bought and finished.To finish off the day we saw a parade and went to a nice dinner.

We woke up early on Tuesday morning to find ourselves in the exact spot that thousands of global travelers visit on June 24 each year in order to celebrate the second largest festival in South America. We joined the city of Cusco and Peru in their celebration of Inti Raymi, an ancient Incan festival held in Peru to honor the sun god Inti. The group was immersed in culture through vibrant parades, music, and reenactments of traditional rituals. Our local team member, Urbano, thoroughly explained the historical significance of each passing group and the symbolism in each artifact that they carried. For lunch we went to a buffet that included many Peruvian foods such as Cuyi (guinea pig), Ceviche, and Leche con Arroz. After an enriching morning, souvenir shopping was crucial before we took a 2 hour drive to Cusibata River Lodge for a fun 1.5 day getaway. Our evening was spent hanging out by the campfire, and cooking s’mores without crackers or chocolate.

Surrounded by beautiful mountains, a gushing river, and raging rapids, we were ready to seize Wednesday morning by driving 10 kilometers upstream. The group divided ourselves into 3 river rafts: The Lady Boat, La Fuerza Aquatica, and another one. The brave people in the front took on each set of rapids with ambition, while the people in the middle and the back enjoyed a little splash every once in a while.

The Lady Boat (Briella, Sarah, Alyssa, Adriana, Meg, Ana) beat La Fuerza Aquatica (Conrad, Sam, Rowan, Xavier, Matilda, Andre) in an epic sprint downstream. Some took a dip in the river at the end, before sprinting to the sauna to warm up. Lunch was delicious chicken for everyone except for Sarah, who’s a vegetarian and probably had delicious vegetables instead. Then, some took on the daunting challenge of traversing the river via zip line, and some did not. After a day exhausted by fun, we drove back to our home base in Pisac, where delicious ice cream awaited us. Following dinner at what now feels like home 11 days into the trip, we played a fun charade-like activity as a group.

Thank you for reading!

Briella and Matilda

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

Today was our first day back in Pisac after our multi-day excursion to Cusco and the River Lodge. In the morning, we participated in a moderated debate on the topic of building a road parallel to the Lares Trek, an alternative route to the famous Machu Picchu Inca Trail. A council of judges (Conrad, Briella, Evie) concluded that the road should be built after compelling arguments were made by four groups from four perspectives. A group of spiritual indigenous people (Elizabeth, Xavier, Sarah), an environmental NGO (Sam and Mina), a group of local women weavers (Adriana, Matilda, Ximena), and a tourism company (Alyssa, Rowan). This activity taught us the complexities that the future of Peru faces, and the challenges in developing the rural communities that we visited last week.

In the afternoon we visited three follow up MedLife patients that live in various houses surrounding Pisac. We worked with a MedLife representative to give them groceries and hear their powerful stories. This perfectly set us up for the next few days, for when we will be building Greenhouses in rural Quechua communities. Later in the evening, we further explored Pisac and debriefed this memorable day in small mentor groups.

Thank you for reading!

-Matilda

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27

This morning we started our helping homes project where we built our first greenhouse. We worked as a team to construct the outer shell and plowed rows into the soil to begin with the planting process. It felt very rewarding to do our part in helping the families that have limited access to fresh food year round.

In the afternoon, we visited an alternative school that specializes in preserving the Peruvian agricultural practices and culture. They have a seed bank that aims in educating the children on the importance of biodiversity in the Peruvian ecosystem. We were fortunate enough to learn about the different medicinal plants that focus on healing the body and mind.

Love,

Conrad and Mina

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

Hello everyone!

Today we went to work on more greenhouses! Everyone worked really hard to help out by helping with the plastic on the outside, helping get the soil ready for plants, and putting in the sprouts. After that we went back to home base and had another delicious lunch.

Back in Pisac, we bonded as a group by watching an episode of a TV series. Then, we all participated in a heartwarming leadership activity where we learned about the various types of leaders, and applied those qualities to each person in the group. Later on in the evening, we went to the main plaza and watched a parade with fun music and traditional dress. It’s hard to believe that in a week we’ll be home, and our time in Peru is soon over!

Thank you for reading !

Briella and Matilda

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

It has officially been two weeks into our GLA trip and we can already see the difference we are making in the world. Today we had a day off from our service and learned more about the Peruvian culture through a pottery lesson and a dance class in the afternoon.

We practiced making pots and pendants and then learned a few Quechua words. Vicente taught us about some of the Incan instruments and their uses in ancient Andean culture. After a delicious lunch and a movie filled afternoon, we started our dance lesson where we learned about four different kinds of traditional Peruvian dances. Then we finished off the night with a talent show where everyone got to display their skills!

LOVE Alyssa and Sarah!!!!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Hola!

Yesterday marked the final day of our greenhouse project—and our last service day of the trip. It was a meaningful moment for everyone as we put the finishing touches on a project that will support local families for years to come. The families were incredibly grateful.

In the evening, we did a fun trivia night! Students competed in teams across four categories: World Culture, Music, Disney Movies, and a special “Staff Questions” round.

With just a few days left, we are ready for our Machu Pichu visit and our last goodbye to Peru!

– Ana, Meg, André, and Urbano

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

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COMING SOON!

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

---

Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23

Dear families,

We’re so happy to share that almost all of our students have arrived safely in Cusco! After a long day of travel, all flights went smoothly, and everyone is healthy, in good spirits, and excited for the journey ahead.

Once we gathered as a group, we had a little time to start getting to know each other and explore some of the charm that Cusco has to offer.

This marks the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable experience. We’re so proud of how everyone handled the day—with patience, positivity, and a strong sense of adventure. Tomorrow, we officially begin our program and can’t wait to dive into all that’s ahead.

Thank you for your trust and support—we’ll keep you updated along the way!

Warmly,

Isabella & Diego

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24

Hello everyone!

Today marked the start of our program, beginning with breakfast and followed by a series of orientation activities. We spent time getting to know each other better and exploring the core values of GLA, along with the code of conduct. Our discussions emphasized the importance of respect, integrity, and cooperation, especially when working with the local community. We reflected on the need to understand our own privileges and biased perspectives while learning from the people, culture, and systems here in Perú.

After lunch, we left for our walking tour of Cusco, led by Diego, who taught us about the Quechuan festival of Inti Raymi, a vibrant celebration that honors the sun through music, dance, and rituals. Along the way, we passed historical sites and monuments, including the twelve-angled stone, and had the opportunity to shop at a large local market.

Back at home base, we did our first leadership activity, which focused on self awareness and personal growth. We reflected on our strengths, weaknesses, and goals as a vital foundation for becoming strong leaders. By looking back on our past experiences and acknowledging our roots, we gained deeper insights into our identities and values.

We ended the day with dinner and shoutout circle, a time to highlight and celebrate each other’s contributions and moments of positivity from the day.

Warmly,
Chloe

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25

Today was another adventurous day in Cusco Peru. Breakfast was at 7:15 in order to get ready for today’s activities. The main highlight of the day was the reality tour which was a six hour tour by van. This was led by Mateo one of our wonderful tour leaders apart of MED LIFE ( Medicine Education Development for Low Income Families Everywhere). The purpose of the reality tour was to grasp both major and minor issues in Cusco mainly in the rural areas. Mateo helped walk us through the why’s of every problem. For example the reason for lack of education was inqsufficient resources, inadequate training as teacher had to learn a plethora of Peruvian dialects to teach a wide variety of students, but most importantly the long distances and harsh conditions students face when traveling to school. We made four stops, one for development, one for education, and two for medical(the focus of this program).

After we headed to a place which translates to Moon Temple. Here we completed a small hike with two Shaman leading us to a small area which we preformed a hour long cultural ceremony. Following our ceremony we headed back to the hotel for a quick rest before a reflection of today’s reality tour. We were separated into small groups to describe living qualities and cultural qualities of Peruvian people in a drawing. We then discussed more in depth of what stood out during the tour, some commonly agreed upon descriptions were eye opening, and feeling fortunate with one’s current life. We then got an introduction from Heidy a leader at MED LIFE about what was expected during a clinic day. In summary, there are six stations in which students can volunteer. Dental, Educational, Triage, Pharmacy, Primary Health, and a second dental station specifically to help children above 3 years old apply fluoride and teach how to properly brush teeth. Finally we ate dinner at 6:45, did a shoutout circle and went to bed.

We are very excited for tomorrow,

We will let you know,
Aiden

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

Good night GLA families!

Today we drove through the Andes Mountains to visit a beautiful, remote village.
We provided essential care—ranging from dental education to agricultural support—that is critical to the lives of the Peruvian people.

We found the community to be incredibly warm and welcoming. They share the same desire we do: to improve each other’s way of life. It’s not just them benefiting from us, we gain so much by learning from their perspective and culture. We truly learned a lot.

We visited a mountain community where healthcare is deeply needed but not readily available.
I realized that many basic hygiene practices we take for granted are things they may never be taught, which can have a lasting impact on their lives and futures.

The nurses and doctors had a lot to manage, but their primary focus was to offer kindness and care. They handled the situation with incredible grace and dedication.

It was amazing to step out of our comfort zones and grow as individuals.
We took on leadership roles, sometimes by necessity, and that experience helped us bond and rely on one another’s strengths. We learned from each other and worked as a team to be more effective.

When we returned to home base, we treated ourselves to some well-deserved snacks and reflected on our day. We also learned about setting realistic goals as a way to track our personal growth and improve our communication skills.

Tomorrow we are going to a new community, we are experiencing different roles and learning a lot of skills. We are really grateful to be here.

We will keep you posted!

With love,

Marin

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27

Hello everyone!

Today was the second day of clinical practice. After an early breakfast at 6:30 we took a 1 and a half hour bus ride to Huandar village near Pisac. The clinic was set up in an elementary school with many different stations to work. In total there were 6 stations which were dentistry, general medicine, toothbrushing, pharmacy, triage, and education. We did 2 new stations that weren’t done the first day. We learned new medical topics and got to practice in a controlled environment. We had lunch in the bus and then helped to break down and clean up the clinic.

After the bus ride back we had a short break for rest and relaxation. We then had a guest speaker to talk about early medical practices in Peru. We learned about the medicinal benefits of many plants such as the coca plant, which is a natural anesthetic. We learned from the drawings of Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala which showed traditions from the past which had been preserved by his drawings. We then had another leadership activity about the people surrounding us. We were tasked with writing down the people closest to us and our favorite attributes about them. We also had to write 5 qualities about ourselves that we were most proud of. We learned about how we can become the people we want to be if we surround ourselves with people who have the qualities we want. We learned the importance of surrounding ourselves with the people who push us to be greater instead of pulling us down.

We are tired but very proud of what we are doing, tomorrow we are going rafting and ziplining and we are really excited!

We will keep you posted,
Alex

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28

Today proved to be a well-deserved break from the service activities we’ve been involved with. Everyone had a blast during the white water rafting and zipline activities, activities which forced us to communicate and work together as a team. After breakfast, we headed into the bus, ready to take on the challenges of the day. Our adventure started with a ride to the white water rafting location, where our knowledgeable guides taught us everything from the meaning of different commands to the right way to get back onto the raft in case of a flip. We dove right in with enthusiasm, and were soon forced to navigate the unpredictable rapids that swept our rafts in all different directions. Making our way through the river proved to be more challenging than expected, but all the more fun. Our ride was filled with laughter and thrilled screams as we worked together to avoid rocks and make our way back to the location.

After we arrived, we enjoyed a delicious lunch of chicken, vegetables, and rice, before making our way to the zip line. Ziplining was a wild ride for everybody, as we were all tested in one way or another. We embraced the daunting activity with bravery and excitement, ending off our adventure on a successful note. We then headed back to the hotel, where we rested shortly before dinner. After dinner, we participated in a pulse check, where we anonymously gave feedback about the program. Finally, our day culminated with a shoutout circle, where we complimented each other about positive and memorable actions that occurred during the day. We can’t wait to embark on our last service clinic tomorrow!

Warmly,
Kailani

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

Hello everyone!

Today marked our last day of clinical work. We finished up with our last two stations in the town of Huaro, a little more than an hour away from home base. By now, we were becoming confident in our skills and using our previous knowledge to work quickly and efficiently with patients and staff.

We had a quick lunch in the bus like usual and helped clean up while discussing some of our accomplishments. We helped around 250 patients over the course of three clinics, improved our Spanish, and learned valuable information about healthcare and disease prevention.

After a quick break, we met as a group to practice our debate skills, discussing the implementation of a road through a rural village on the way to Machu Pichu. We discussed topics such as culture, environment, and economy- and generally the pros and cons of tourism.

The night finished off with dinner and some team games, where we relaxed and winded down for the night. Tomorrow, we get so much needed sleep and prepare for another amazing day!

Warmly,
Paige

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

Dear Parents,

As the group leader of today , I’m excited to share our day in Peru.

We started with breakfast at 8 AM. At 9 AM, we visited the Qoricancha Museum, a historic Inca site from the 1500s. The ancient building’s stonework was impressive, and inside, we saw detailed murals showing Inca life and beliefs. It was a great chance to learn about their rich history and culture.

After the museum, on our way back to the hotel at 12:30 PM, we stopped at a local market. The market was lively, filled with traditional Peruvian products like hand – woven textiles, pottery, and unique crafts. We also got to smell and see local foods, which added to our cultural experience.

After exploring the museum, the GLA group had a delicious lunch at the hotel restaurant, feasting on traditional Peruvian dishes. Post – meal, they took a short break in their rooms. After lunch, everyone participated in a leadership learning activity. Our instructor led everyone in a group discussion to help them discover their true selves, including having good friends point out each other’s shortcomings.

Soon, a Peruvian musician in colorful native attire arrived. He played the flauta chimu,, creating dreamy sounds, and then strummed the Charango with cheerful rhythms. The musician patiently taught the group to play. With some practice, they managed to play basic melodies, filling the room with joy and music.

Our GLA program priorities student comfort. After that, students have approximately one hour of rest time, followed by a series of leadership learning activities. Here, students communicate and showcase what they have learned and experienced over the past eight days through various means such as filming videos and writing articles. Below, we have included two poems written by students for parents to read.

Following this, students enjoyed dinner time. Of course, GLA also places great importance on students’ overall experience. After the regular shoutout circle, our teachers led the students to a nearby scenic restaurant, allowing them to experience and explore local specialities.

Everyone in the group stayed safe and engaged throughout the day. We’re looking forward to more discoveries. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Best regards,
Nailiang Zhao

Poem 1
Before
Snowy mountains stood high.
The big river ran by.
In old towns, stones told tales.
People ate from clay bowls.
Llamas walked on the farms.
Women made colorful yarns.
Life was slow and warm.
Days were filled with calm.
After
Tall buildings fill the view.
Small shabby houses shake in the breeze.
Old dishes are locked in museums.
People work hard on big farms.
Mines make the land dirty.
Boats scare all the fish away.
Big ships take all the good stuff.
The mountains look tired and sad.

Poem 2
Before and After
Before I thought to be happy you needed a lot
But now I know to be happy you can have not
Before I didn’t appreciate what I had
But I see them happy with just a tad
I thought modern healthcare was needed in every place
But some of this herbal stuff works really great
Before I didn’t speak Spanish at all
But now my Spanish flows like a water fall
Before, Peru was just a far away land
But now Peru seems very grand

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Good afternoon from sunny Peru!

Today was nothing short of inspiring. As part of our community outreach, we had the privilege of visiting three homes supported by the incredible organization, MEDLIFE.

Each home welcomed us with open arms, and we were honored to deliver bags filled with essential supplies, bringing a little extra comfort to families who need it most. One of the most memorable stops was our first visit, where we met a wonderful woman named Brigida, who lives with a disability. She welcomed us with warmth and pride, sharing her handmade crafts with us. Her resilience and talent touched us deeply, and many of us chose to support her by purchasing some of her beautiful work.

Later in the day, we dove into Peru’s rich culture through a traditional music workshop in our very own home base. Surrounded by the rhythms and sounds of authentic Peruvian instruments, we learned about the role music plays in this vibrant society — and even had the chance to join in ourselves!

It’s been a day filled with connection, culture, and compassion. We’re so grateful for these eye-opening experiences, and even more excited to continue growing through service and cultural exchange.

– Aisha

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

Today we were able to wake up later in order to be ready at 8:40 for breakfast. That was a luxury that did come around often. After being able to wake up later, we took a 15 minute bus ride to our location for our cooking class. There we spent 3 hours working hard to prepare our meal. Our meal consisted of steak, onions, tomatoes, garlic, salt, yellow pepper, potatoes and rice. We were able to prepare ourselves by cutting into correct shapes and sizes, cooking and boiling our food together, as well as preparing the dish. For dessert we made the fried doughnuts that were signature to Perú.

After our cooking session, we had a short walk back to the hotel (20-25 minutes), and when we arrived we had about 20 minutes to get ready for our dancing lessons. We started the dancing lessons, introduced to our two instructors, and they informed us about the three regions that this dance was going to come from. The first one being the coastal region, with the dancing not requiring any other materials, other than moving our bodies. The next region, mountains, involved where we stay in Peru, Cuzco, and we were given two different rope-like objects. The next dance was also in the mountains and represented a war between the angels and devils, with purple and red handkerchiefs, respectively.

After that, we moved to the final region being the forest. The forest included a dance about the anaconda, a snake found in the rainforest, and we surrounded it, moving all of our bodies to the music. Finally, we learned a bit of salsa which was very amazing to learn, as it is a popular way to dance. Following the dance lessons, we had a bit of a break leading up to our leadership activity, teaching us what true communication and working together really looked like. We learned that to work well as a team, you need to set aside your own personal goals and have one centralized goal that everyone can work towards. We then had dinner consisting of rice, steak, chicken, potatoes and more. We will be getting a lot of sleep, having breakfast at 8:20 before our bus ride.

– Michael Bubeck

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

Dearest Readers,

Our program is officially underway. We could not be more excited. Rome is absolutely beautiful, and it is only the first of many stops during our Italian odyssey. The group has all arrived and has already started to make friends. We spent the afternoon playing games, exploring the area around the hotel, and getting to know each other.

The weather is warm, the air smells like flowers, and the streets are full of people exploring the gem of the city that is Rome. Tomorrow we are going to the colosseum to follow in the steps of the ancients. We are going to do a food tour as well. We already know that it is going to be delicious.

Over the next nine days, we are going to be updating you about our adventures every two to three days. The students are excited to practice their photography and blog writing skills. Keep your eyes open for our next blog. It’s going to be a good one.

Ciao,

Your GLA Staff Team

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Today was fantastic. After a morning of orientation learning about GLA, our program, and each other, we set out to explore the city. We started with a culinary tour, stoping at four different restaurants as we learned about the city’s history and architecture. Then we went to the colosseum where we learned about the ancient games of Rome and the gladiators. According to the guide, the first movie is a lot better than the second. We went out to another delicious dinner at a restaurant near our hotel, and stopped to listen and dance to some live music on the way home after gelato. Students broke into mentor groups with their mentors Adham and Michelle to start the leadership curriculum to end the night. Expect a more detailed student blog tomorrow from tomorrow’s first leaders of the day.

Ciao,

GLA Italy

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Rome is a city that makes us feel like we’re walking through a history book—but with a slice of pizza in our hands (literally). From the cobblestone streets, to insane architecture, every corner had something special. We spent the day exploring this amazing city, and it ended up being one of the best days of our summer.

The first thing we did was dive into the food scene. Of course, we had to try real Italian pizza. We ordered both a spicy one and a classic Margherita. The spicy had a kick, but the Margherita pizza stole the show. The soft, chewy crust, fresh tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and a few basil leaves made it perfect. Simple, but amazing.

Next, we had something totally new: fried artichoke. It sounded weird at first, but it was crispy, salty, and honestly really good. After that, we walked through a flower market. The colors were bright, the smell was sweet, and it added a chill vibe to the day. Then came gelato, which is like ice cream but smoother and more flavorful. We had a scoop of mango and one of strawberry. It was so good, we had to slow down just to make it last longer.

After all the food and wandering, we made it to the Colosseum. Standing in front of it felt unreal. It’s massive, ancient, and full of history. We imagined gladiators fighting, crowds cheering, and how different life was back then. Nearby ruins like the Roman Forum made it even cooler like stepping back in time.

Rome gave us a little bit of everything: great food, beautiful views, and epic history. And next time someone asks us about pizza in Italy, we’ll tell them go with the Margherita.

~Joey and Prince

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

This morning started off fresh and early. We woke up, grabbed a quick breakfast, and headed out to explore more of the Eternal City. First stop: the iconic Spanish Steps. They were massive, packed with life, and full of energy. Right nearby, we found some insane fountains literally flowing with cold, clean water straight from ancient aqueducts. We even got to drink from one, and a couple of us rinsed our hair out too. It was wild to be interacting with something so old and beautiful like that.

From there, the day just got better. We made our way over to Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City. The view of St. Peter’s Basilica was jaw-dropping. The place is massive unlike anything we’ve ever seen, and it holds such deep religious and historical meaning. We learned about the roots of Catholicism, how the Vatican works, and some unbelievable stories about the popes and the architecture. Standing there, surrounded by the history of the church, it felt like time slowed down for a second.

After all that walking and learning, we finally headed back, totally wiped but happy. We chilled out for a bit, then grabbed some of the best burgers ever juicy, stacked, and hit just right after a long day. We sat, talked about everything we saw, laughed a little, and ended the night on a peaceful note.

~Joey and Prince

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Everyone woke up this morning with a smile on their face waiting for a new adventure. We started off the day by transporting all of our luggage in a room to prepare for our next stop. We then had breakfast and left the hotel to head straight to our first activity.

Our first activity we did today was to go to a refugee service and help out the community there. When we arrived, we all were welcomed in by the main director of the refugee service, we were brought into a classroom where everyone learned where these people come from, and why they are here. A man named Fasil who was a refugee himself told us his story about how he made it to Italy. From Fasil’s talk, we learned that people flee their country due to government power becoming abusive and/or gangs and mafias threatening families lives. When they leave their country they often have little to no money, and sometimes they also have to walk all the way to a new country to stay. When we were done with class we headed down to the basement where all the refugees were. We all connected with some of the refugees who were willing talk with us. They also played games (table tênis and foosball) with us which was a cool experience for everyone in the group.

The next thing was to head back to the hotel and grab all of our luggage then head towards Tuscany. We arrived at this beautiful hotel located in a mountain landscape with a huge amount of space for us to play and hangout. Once we got assigned rooms we headed over to dinner where we had a wonderful pesto dinner. We celebrated Mentor John’s birthday with an Italian book and signatures all over the first empty pages of the book, and to “keep it real” the mentor Ester played the ukulele while the girls sang riptide by Vance Joy for John.

We ended the day off with a group circle making and splitting to our mentor groups where we discussed about our trip so far and then wrote letters to ourselves.

~Marcus and Alex

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

🌺 GLA Maui Island Service Adventure – Day 1: Aloha from Maui! 🌺

After long but smooth journeys across the ocean, our incredible group of students has officially arrived on the beautiful island of Maui for their GLA Island Adventure program! The flights may have been lengthy, but our travelers touched down with smiles on their faces.

As students stepped off the plane and took their first breaths of island air, the energy was a perfect mix of exhaustion and enthusiasm. With duffels in hand and leis around their necks, they were ready to begin this unforgettable journey.

Upon arrival at camp, our Leaders of the Day jumped right into action, helping set up and organize our space for the week. Their leadership set the tone for our group’s positive attitude and teamwork that will continue throughout the program.

Next up: swim checks! Everyone had the chance to cool off and show off their swimming skills in the beautiful Hawaiian water—an essential step for our upcoming ocean activities. We even saw a couple of seals playing in the water, right off of the coast of our home base!

Dinner was a hit with our build-your-own taco bar, giving everyone a chance to fill up and relax as we closed out the day. With full bellies and happy hearts, students settled into their cabins for an early night’s rest to prepare for our first full day of island adventure tomorrow.

We want to give a huge mahalo to all the parents and families who supported their child’s journey and entrusted us with their experience. We can already tell it’s going to be a week full of growth, discovery, and aloha spirit!

Attached are all of our smiling faces, just missing one late traveler from the group photo, but we will take plenty of them later.

Stay tuned for more updates—Maui, here we come! 🌴🐢🌊

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27 & 28

Aloha from Hawaii!!

After all of us arrived safely and got settled into our cabins at home base, we jumped right into our first full day. We started with an early morning trip to the Ritz-Carlton, where we watched a powerful Sense of Place video that introduced us to the deep and fascinating history of Hawaiian culture. From there, we explored the sacred burial grounds nearby, gaining even more appreciation for the land and its people. Back at home base, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, went fruit-picking (sadly, no ripe mangoes yet—but we did find some fresh limes!), and had time to swim and hang out at the beach. We closed out the day with fun mentor activities and icebreakers, starting to build the strong connections that will carry us through the rest of our time here.

The next day was all about service and purpose. We spent the morning volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Maui. Together, we painted planters, helped build part of a fence, and cleared land—working as a team to support the local community. After our service, we rewarded ourselves with a beach stop to relax, swim, and soak in the beauty of the island. We even had a quick trip to the store to restock anything we needed. In the evening, we had the honor of hearing from a guest speaker who shared his personal experience with Hawaiian Homelands, giving us new insight into the ongoing efforts to preserve native rights and culture. We wrapped up the day with mentor group activities centered on personal values and goal-setting, followed by dinner and our evening closing circle.

These first two days have been full of learning, laughter, and growth—and we can’t wait for what’s still to come!

Thank you to our leaders of the day Iyla, Cubby, Savanna and Liv!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29

By Leaders of the Day: Bethany & Vivian

Aloha everyone! Greetings from the beautiful island of Maui!

Day 4 started bright and early with our daily chow circle and breakfast, setting the tone for a day full of connection, culture, and hands-on learning. Our first stop was Kipuka Olowalu, a local taro farm where we rolled up our sleeves—and dove in feet first! We learned about the deep cultural importance of taro in Hawaiian tradition and got to experience it firsthand by harvesting taro roots the traditional way (karate kicks included!). Before starting, we took part in a chant seeking permission for harvest, showing deep respect for the land and its resources. We cleaned, processed, and replanted taro, then cooled off with fresh passion fruit and a relaxing dip in the river that feeds the wetland taro fields.

After returning to home base, we refueled with another amazing meal from our chefs, Jake and Nick. The afternoon gave us a choice: some of us soaked up the sun at a nearby beach, while others explored a charming fruit stand and general store near camp.

Our evening brought thoughtful discussion during mentor groups, where we explored the impacts of tourism in Hawaii. Split into teams, we debated the perspectives of big businesses, conservationists, local communities, and more—deepening our understanding of the complex relationship between culture, economy, and environment.

We ended the night under the colors of the setting sun (Napoʻo ʻana o ka lā) with a bonfire, s’mores, and the ceremonial passing of the “Leaders of the Day” role to Ruby and Mia!

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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

Day 5 brought a coastal adventure with a purpose: building a traditional Hawaiian fishing pond! Working together, we carried boulders across the beach to form a rock wall that would trap fish with the tides—a project that connected us to ancient sustainable fishing practices.

After our beachside lunch, we got a sweet treat with shaved ice and had time for a bit of shopping. But the highlight of the afternoon? A trip to the Maui Ocean Center! We explored exhibits full of marine life, including sharks, reef fish, and majestic sea turtles. One of the most unforgettable moments was feeding the sea turtles and some curious fish—just inches away!

Back at home base, we had some time to rest before diving into dinner and mentor groups once again. This time, our mentor time was all about FUN with a light-hearted game that brought plenty of laughs.

These past two days have given us a deeper appreciation for Hawaiian culture, community, and coastline—and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next!

Stay tuned for more updates from paradise! 🌺🌊

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

Today was seriously one of the most amazing days so far. We started off with some meaningful service work at the Grow Hub in Ukumehame with Treecovery Hawaiʻi. It was super cool to be part of a project that’s helping to rebuild native forests after the wildfires. We learned a lot about Hawaiian plants and how important it is to restore what was lost. Even though it was hot, everyone stayed positive and worked hard—we made a great team!

After a quick lunch and change of pace, we headed out for an ocean adventure with Maui Snorkeling! The boat ride itself was awesome, but snorkeling in that crystal-clear water was next level. We saw fish of all kinds, swam around reefs, and some of us even saw sea turtles! The best part though? A two-story water slide off the back of the boat! So fun. We couldn’t stop laughing every time someone splashed down into the ocean.

Tonight, back at home base, we slowed things down and did a really cool activity called the identity table. Everyone got a chance to talk about who they are, what’s important to them, and the experiences that have shaped them. It was such a powerful moment for our group. We’re definitely closer now than we were before.

This day had everything—service, adventure, connection, and so many memories we’ll carry home with us.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

Culture, Coastlines, and a Classic Movie

What a wonderful day in paradise!

Our journey began with a scenic drive through the IAO Valley, where misty rain gave the lush landscape an even more magical feel. We learned about the rich Hawaiian culture through hula, lei-making, and stories of the valley’s history.

After returning to home base for lunch, we spent the afternoon relaxing and swimming at a beautiful Lahaina beach. The clear water and blue skies were picture-perfect. Back at camp, we were lucky enough to hear from a guest speaker, Rodney, a former pro surfer who shared his powerful story of growing up with traditional Hawaiian values.

The day ended with a movie night featuring Lilo & Stitch—a perfect film to wrap up a perfect day.

– Danby and Alex

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Volcano Views and a Bake-Off Battle

Aloha, friends!

Hey guys!!! It’s Ema and Eloise, your Leaders of the Day reporting from Maui! Today we had a slower start and got to sleep in a bit (yay!). We set off on a breathtaking drive up to Haleakalā National Park to explore the Sliding Sands Trail. The hike into the volcanic crater was surreal—huge landscapes, fresh air, and amazing views.

After a well-deserved nap on the ride back, we spent the afternoon strolling and shopping in Paia Town. But the highlight of the evening? The surprise HAWAIIAN BAKE-OFF! Everyone had to get creative with limited ingredients, and let’s just say the kitchen was chaotic—in the best way. Laughter echoed everywhere and the final treats were as fun to eat as they were to make.

– Ema and Eloise