Letters from Your GLA International Director
June 10 – June 30, 2015
Hola to my amazing students from the Guatemala Spanish, Service and Mayan Culture
Program: Alex, Athena, Carmen, Carrington, Emma, Mary, Sarah, Vienna
I can hardly believe that so much time has gone by since we were living and learning together in
our fabulous home base in Quetzaltenango. When I think back on the summer, I can’t help but
smile at all of the wonderful memories we made together. I don’t know about you, but I
personally am missing the fantastic food at our home base. Okay, maybe not you Sarah. In
reflecting on our experience, you should all be so proud of the work you did in the school in
providing a bright and positive environment for the students to learn. Not to mention your
fabulous mural. I know that the kids will be remembering you and your work for many years to
come.
This was my first time working with Global Leadership Adventures so I didn’t quite know what
to expect. In addition to that, this was the first group I would be working with. So that said, I
was a bit nervous. However, the outcome was far beyond anything I think that I could have
expected. What I experienced was working with a very mature, responsible, engaged and all
around wonderful group of students for three weeks. We laughed together, worked together,
lived together and shared together. There was instant connection among the group and it truly
felt like one big family. I really appreciate how you all supported each other throughout the
process.
I hope that this school year is going great and that all of you are staying in touch with each other!
I wish you all the best of luck in your future goals and dreams and look forward to hearing about
all of your amazing accomplishments.
PS, don’t forget to practice your Spanish!
Here are some highlights of our experience together…
● The quotes activity on the last night
● The “bond fire”
● When there were those “interesting” speakers at the school (you know what I’m talking
about)
● When we handed out bracelets to the kids…wow that was crazy
● The beautiful, colorful and intricate mural you created
● Scary movie nights
● Salsa dancing 🙂
-Lisette Rodriguez, International Program Director
July 5 – July 25, 2015
Hola to my amazing students from the Guatemala Spanish, Service and Mayan Culture
Program: Anna, Antonio, Beate, Jen, Mady, Maria, Michael, Sonnet
When I think back on the summer, and all of the memories, I can’t help but smile. I can’t believe
that so much time has gone by since we were living and learning together in our fabulous home
base in Quetzaltenango. I don’t know about you, but I personally am missing the group soccer
games we had in the front yard of the home base. In reflecting on our experience, you should all
be so proud of the work you did in the school. Your service provided a bright and positive
environment for the kids to learn and play…and set off fireworks. I know that the kids will be
remembering you and your work for many years to come. And your incredible mural will be a
constant reminder for them.
From the very start I knew this would be a boisterous, fun and spirited group. And I was most
definitely right! Things were not always easy, but when is that ever the case. In fact, I think that
the challenges ultimately brought you closer together as a group. Throughout the program, I was
consistently and pleasantly surprised with the way that this group challenged and engaged
themselves in the entire process. You asked the big question, tackled the big issues and
challenged each other to grow. I am so proud of all of you and hope that this experience has been
a great one for you!
I hope that this school year is going great and that all of you are staying in touch with each other!
I wish you all the best of luck in your future goals and dreams and look forward to hearing about
all of your amazing accomplishments.
PS, don’t forget to practice your Spanish!
Here are some highlights of our experience together…
● Playing soccer in the front yard of the home base with all of the students and staff…in the
rain
● The card games that were always being played in the living room
● The team building activities that had us laughing so hard we were crying
● The awesome mural that you painted at the school based on the kids drawings
● The incredible despedida event they threw for us at the school
-Lisette Rodriguez, International Program Director
