The Young Leader

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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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Questions to Ask a Teen Travel Organization: Part 2

If you’re just starting your quest for the ultimate summer abroad, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of providers out there. A Google search of “summer travel teens” will turn up dozens of options that may be undistinguishable at first glance. Many companies offer experiences that appear identical: the same countries, similar themes, same inspirational videos featuring smiling teens. Where to start?!

With so many options out there, how can you tell which organization is “the one”? This four-part series will help you formulate the questions that will be most helpful to ask when determining the best fit for your family this summer. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share additional questions that we feel are crucial to explore before committing to a summer abroad experience.

 

After safety and legitimacy, quality is often the next priority for families on the hunt for a summer abroad. Pose the following questions to potential organizations to ascertain whether you’re on the same page about what will be delivered.

Depth & Approach

Does the organization provide an educational curriculum, or is it more of summer camp or travel tour?

International travel at its most basic level provides an incredible opportunity for self-discovery; however, you may be looking for a more multifaceted experience than a simple tour can offer. Does the program offer a curriculum? What does the curriculum look like? What global themes or issues are addressed? Can they provide sample learning or leadership activities? While you don’t need to know every single aspect of a program ahead of time (the surprise is half the fun!), being familiar with the basics can be helpful in determining whether program objectives are in line with your expectations.

GLA’s Leadership Curriculum uses experiential learning methods to meet predetermined learning objectives, and was designed by experienced educators. Each location is ripe with opportunities to delve into both local and global issues and for students to For students with, say, a passion for wildlife conservation or education, exploring programs by type can be a useful tool. Looking for an even more learning-intensive option? Excellent! We offer Fellowships in a variety of concentrations; with coursework before, during, and after their program, this is a great way for curious students to bring their experience to the next level through a self-guided project. You can learn more about our Leadership Curriculum, themes, and objectives here.

If the organization offers service learning programs, how do they approach their projects?

Be familiar with how the company approaches the volunteer component. How do they work with communities? Who are their in-country contacts or partners? How do they select the projects on which student volunteers assist?

Although they are undoubtedly well intentioned, international volunteers do have the potential to negatively impact their host community if their projects are not approached mindfully and with project sustainability at the forefront. We believe that our roles as supporters and volunteers is to help carry out the community’s vision, not impose our own. Our in-country partners are local experts with intimate knowledge of the values, priorities, and needs of the communities in which our students work. When we partner with local leadership, we align with scalable, sustainable solutions to address development challenges at the community level in a way that makes the most sense for its permanent residents.

Quality & Inclusivity

Does the organization offer “sales” or heavily discount fees? If so, how are they able to do so? 

Everyone loves a good sale, but we challenge families to ask themselves (and the company): What is the true cost of this discount? Is the company cutting corners on staff, program quality, or safety? Are there extra fees for certain activities, or is everything included in the posted price?

It is GLA’s goal to make sure tuition cost is as low a barrier as possible while still upholding our promise to provide a well-developed curriculum, high-quality staff and activities, and uphold our rigorous safety standards. Unlike many companies, the our listed tuition includes everything outside of travel to and from the destination country: lodging, meals, community service tools, and all excursions are accounted for in the tuition cost, so there are no surprises.

Does the organization value diversity? 

What steps does the company take to ensure a balanced student body? Is this program inclusive of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds?

We believe wholeheartedly that a diverse student body is key to a well-rounded experience abroad. Our programs truly are for everyone, regardless of geographic location, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, or income.

GLA offers scholarships based on both financial need and merit, which can cover up to 30% of the tuition cost. Through partnering with organizations such as Summer Search, which works with high-achieving, low-income first generation students, we make every effort to create cohorts of teens that represent a wide range of demographics and are excited to learn from each other as they explore a new community abroad.

Learn more about what sets GLA apart on our website, or give our office a call at 858.771.0645. We’re happy to answer the questions above or any others you have for us.

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20 Earth-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

John Updike once said, “we are most alive when we’re in love.” Whether it is friends, family, a significant other, or simply yourself, expressing the love we feel for one another in our own unique ways is part of who we are. Although we express love in our everyday lives, there is one particular time of year where expressing the love we feel for those in our lives is priority to anything else: Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is known to many as the most loving day of the year. However, although this day makes people all around the world feel warm and fuzzy, this holiday does quite the opposite for the beautiful world we live in. Around the world on February 14th, humans create more carbon emissions than driving around the world a whopping 3,993 times. This is made up of:

  • 36 million heart-shaped boxes
  • 180 million greeting cards
  • 198 million roses
  • 58 million pounds of chocolate

. . . and so much more. Pretty crazy for a single day, isn’t it?

Be an Earth-Friendly Consumer

So, what can we do to be more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint as a society on this beautiful day? It is so much easier than you think! Because sustainability has become so much more of a necessity than ever before, a plethora of companies have built themselves on the concept of creating items that not only make a positive impact on the world around us, but also positively impact people who need it most — view a list of these amazing companies here!

Farmgirl Flowers Big Love Burlap Wrapped Bouquet: these flowers are hand picked from ethical local and international farms, and wrapped up in upcycled biodegradable coffee bags! A bit more on the expensive side, but a beautiful and sustainable way to get a large bouquet for someone you love.

Theo Chocolate: an organic, fair trade chocolate brand that makes a very minimal environmental impact! This brand works with cocoa farmers in the Congo to make jobs for those who need it.

Branded Collective Jewelry: this brand provides job training and employment to survivors of human trafficking in Nashville, Tennessee with a mission to inspire each survivor to “rediscover the dreams she has lost and be motivated to go forth and pursue them.” The jewelry is locally and ethically sourced, and works hand-in-hand with a non-profit in Nashville.

Kind Karma Company: this brand provides employment to at-risk and homeless youth in Toronto, Canada. All jewelry is ethically created and crafted custom by each employee, giving them an opportunity to use the process as a form of healing.

Lazarus Artisan Goods: this brand works directly with and in communities in Honduras and Haiti to “ignite generational change with employment and vocational training” through Mission Lazarus, a nonprofit focusing on individual, economic, and family development throughout the countries it is involved in. 100% of the profits made go directly to Mission Lazarus.

ABLE Brand: initially developed in Ethiopia with scarves, this brand employs and empowers women living in developing countries to create economic growth and reduce poverty. All jewelry is made in-house in Nashville, while all leather goods, clothing, and shoes are made by partners in Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, and India. All employees are paid a fair wage and provided with a safe working environment.

Light Shine Candles: this brand works directly with Global Outreach Development, an organization with a commitment to serving immigrants and refugees in the United States, teaching English and Spanish, and working directly with a nonprofit in El Salvador. All candles come in eco-friendly mason jars (reusable!), made in small batches, and with all natural and sustainable ingredients.

Singing Rooster Coffee: this brand is a certified nonprofit that partners with small producers in Haiti. 100% of the proceeds are returned back to the small Haitian farming communities to allow these families to live better lives! The brand is also completely fair trade and sustainable.

Ten Thousand Villages: this brand is committed to ethical and sustainable practices. Ten Thousand Villages creates opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn a sustainable income and live a life of higher quality. They also donate part of their profits to Two Wings, an organization that helps survivors of human trafficking throughout the United States.

DIY It!

Interested in taking sustainability even further? Awesome! Valentine’s Day is all about showing love, and what is more loving than a gift crafted by your own hands? There are so many creative ways to make heartfelt gifts from things you already have in your home and in ways that create little to no waste. These gifts can be anything from baking heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies and gifting them in a reusable container to visiting a local florist to pick out your own bouquet wrapped in paper (or yarn from home to tie the flowers together in a sustainably sourced bow) rather than purchasing flowers from a grocery store wrapped in excess plastic and other waste. Curious about other ways to be creative and sustainable on Valentine’s Day? See below for just a few of the many fun ideas on ways to reduce your footprint as you share the love:

  • Buy your chocolate in bulk! Plenty of stores carry bulk items these days as a way to buy your favorite products waste-free. Grab a reusable container like a mason jar and fill it up with the chocolate of your choice! You can even decorate the jar or add a cute note using recycled paper with a cheesy quote like “I love you a chocoLOT!”
  • Bake! Often times, you already have the resources you need on hand. Put them in a reusable container and it makes a perfect and tasty gift.
  • Instead of purchasing flowers, get a plant or herb instead! These last a lot longer and often have a use to them (besides looking pretty, of course). They are much more sustainable and oftentimes have a lot less waste.
  • Cook a meal at home instead of eating out! This way, you can purchase your items much more sustainably and use what you already have at home. Cooking will also use much less water than a restaurant would.
  • Instead of purchasing a card, make your own! They don’t need to be anything fancy, and these are usually more cherished than a store-bought card.
  • Skip the gifts all around and share an experience instead! Research shows that experiences make us much happier than possessions, and are usually more memorable.
  • Do something for the environment. Plant a tree instead of buying flowers, pick up trash, or plant a garden. Not only is it a fun date, but it will make you feel good as well.
  • Create a playlist! Throw together a bunch of songs that reminds you of the person you are gifting it to and put a fun spin on it. Everyone loves new music, and it is 100% sustainable.
  • Make a gift out of things you already own! Things like t-shirt quilts are completely sustainable and have a lot of meaning behind them, too.
  • Adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Fund! Not only is it super awesome, but it gives a better life to an animal as well.
  • Give your gift in something reusable like a cloth bag or reusable grocery bag. Not only can it be cute, but it is sustainable as well.

Valentine’s Day is one of the most beautiful days of the year. Let’s make sure we do our part to keep the world we live in beautiful on this day, too.

What’s your go-to for sustainable Valentine’s Day gifting? 

Contributed by Becca Lund

Edu-Terra Global Intern

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Questions to Ask a Teen Travel Organization: Part 1

So you know you’re interested in sending your teen abroad for a period of time this summer. You’ve heard from friends that had good experiences, or maybe your child has a strong interest in travel and you’ve decided it’s time for them to spread their wings; or, perhaps you’re an educator yourself and know first-hand the impact that experiential education can have.

If you’re just starting your quest for the ultimate summer abroad, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of providers out there. A Google search of “summer travel teens” will turn up dozens of options that may be undistinguishable at first glance. Many companies offer experiences that appear identical: the same countries, similar themes, same inspirational videos featuring smiling teens. Where to start?!

With so many options out there, how can you tell which organization is the “right” one to travel with? This four-part series will help you formulate the questions that will be most helpful to ask when determining the best fit for your family this summer. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share additional questions that we feel are crucial to explore before committing to a summer abroad experience.

Our advice? Start with the basics! For most families, student safety and the integrity of the company are the most pressing concerns.

At Their Core

Does the organization have clearly-identified mission and values that match your personal philosophy?

Most companies have a mission statement that they can point to, or at the very least a set of values that set the standard for their policies, priorities, and culture. Does their mission resonate with you? If a company hasn’t identified its mission, it may be reason for pause.

GLA is proud of its mission to inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it. Our goal is to provide life-changing experiences that will cultivate a global perspective and open-mindedness in students that will ultimately inspire them to become great leaders and global thinkers and seek positive change in their own communities.We believe that leaders are made, not born. Our values guide our interactions with our employees, local partners, students, and the world around us. You can read more about our values here.

Does the organization have a reputable record, founder, and current leadership or management?

The reputation of the person or persons heading a company can say a lot about the integrity of the company itself. Who founded the company, and for what purpose? What is the current CEO or management like? Doing a simple Google search on the key players in the company with which you choose to send your child abroad takes only a moment and is an important part of the vetting process.

GLA’s founders have a stellar record and have accomplished some amazing things both before and after the creation of GLA. Among the ranks of our founders and management staff are a former Peace Corps volunteer and former educators; founder Fred Swaniker was recently honored as one of Time’s 100 most influential people of 2019 for his work with the African Leadership Academy and African Leadership University, among other organizations. You can learn more about our founders here.

 

Legitimacy & Reputation

Does the organization provide references? What do their online reviews say?

Reviews matter! GoOverseas, GoAbroad, and good ol’ Facebook are great places to start and include most companies within the industry. Be wary of organizations that do not have an online presence or do not offer references. We encourage families to do their homework, to reach out to past participants and their parents to hear about their experiences. Ask for references. Hearing about the legitimacy of a company from an employee is all fine and good, but to have a conversation with someone who has experienced their services for themselves can carry much more weight. Global Leadership Adventures can provide a list of over 500 un-coached references from our programs last spring and summer who are happy to answer any of your questions candidly and give their honest take on their time abroad.

Does the organization value and prioritize safety and risk management? When was the last time they had a third party review?

Asking an organization for details on its commitment to safe practices is an absolute must! Third-party reviews are a crucial aspect in maximizing safety practices as they provide an unbiased and objective view. As the safety of our staff and students is our top priority at GLA, last year we solicited a review from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), a long-time expert in the field of risk management in the context of outdoor leadership programs. For nearly a year, a team of reviewers examined every part of our organization, from the enrollment and screening process to staff training practices to our activities and policies in the field. They interviewed Headquarters team members, from upper management to interns, as well as summer staff. Suggestions stemming from this review process have been a key component in continuing to uphold GLA’s already high safety standards in an ever-changing world.

 

Learn more about what sets GLA apart on our website, or give our office a call at 858.771.0645. We’re happy to answer the questions above or any others you have for us.

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