Thank you for visiting our Program Blog FAQ page. Below is a collection of frequently asked questions that we receive from parents about the GLA program blogs.
What are GLA program blogs?
We created GLA program blogs so that parents and family members could follow along on their student’s journey abroad! The blog posts are a great way for the program staff to share a recap every few days of what the students have been up to during their program, such as service projects, learning activities, adventures, and more.
Will there be a blog for my student’s program?
Yes! Every session for each program will have its own individual blog page where new posts will be added.
Who writes the blog posts?
Blog posts are compiled by the onsite program staff (International Director/Mentors), and the text portion is written either by the staff themselves or students who volunteer to write them.
How do the blogs get posted?
Program staff send each new blog post to our Blog Team at GLA headquarters via email. A member of our Blog Team will then add the new post to the blog, and parents will receive an email notification that there’s a new blog update.
Will there be photos posted on the blog?
Yes, absolutely! Program staff are always encouraged to send photos along with blog posts whenever they can. However, due to internet accessibility on the program, blog posts may occasionally only include text.
How will I know when my student’s program has new blog post?
You will receive an email notification each time there’s a new blog post for your student’s program. These email notifications are automated, and they are sent to the parent or guardian email addresses we have on file for the student’s account.
When will I see the first blog post?
The first blog post for each program is what we call the “Arrival Post.” The Arrival Post is posted on the first or second day of the program, and typically includes a group photo of the students along with a short note from program staff.
How often will the blog be updated throughout the rest of the program?
After the Arrival Post, program staff typically send new blog posts 2-3 times per week. However, this range may vary dramatically from one program to the next and typically depends on internet connectivity in each location as well as the rigorousness of the program schedule that week. In the event a new blog post will be severely delayed, we will do our best to communicate that on your specific blog.
Why do some new posts show a previous date?
When you receive a notification of a new blog update and you go to read the blog, you may notice the new post is dated for yesterday or even two or three days ago. This is completely normal and extremely common. The date on each blog post is the date that the post is actually about, which does not always align with the date it is posted. Due to many program factors (such as internet connectivity, busy program schedules, off-grid excursions, time zone differences, etc.), program staff may not be able to compile and send new blogs same day. In addition, our blog team may not always be able to post new blogs right away depending on what time of day/night the blog post was sent in.
When does your Blog Team post new blogs?
Due to the program factors noted above, as well as the volume of programs running simultaneously around the globe, we are receiving new posts from program staff all throughout the day, evening, and overnight. Blogs received during office hours will be posted same day, and blogs received in the evening and overnight will be posted the following day in the order they were received.
Will blogs be posted on weekends?
Arrival Posts will be posted the day they are received – weekends included. Standard blog updates received on weekends may be delayed until Monday morning depending of the volume of blog posts we receive over the weekend.
Can I reply to the blog email notifications?
When you reply to a blog notification email, the replies go to our Blog Team at GLA Headquarters. The Blog Team members are not physically on the programs, and this inbox is not monitored 24/7. For any questions or concerns regarding the program, or if you need to get in touch with your student or the program staff, please call our 24/7 parent hotline at +1-619-758-3031 for immediate assistance.
Why am I not receiving email notifications when there’s a new blog post?
If you are not receiving email updates when there’s a new blog post for your student’s program, it may be due to one of the three common reasons below:
You have unsubscribed from GLA emails in the past:
If you have ever hit “unsubscribe” on an email from GLA – such as a promotional email, newsletter, etc. – then you have opted out of all emails from GLA, including the blog update emails. This is the most common reason for parents not receiving the blog email notifications, and we can certainly opt you back in so you will receive future emails.
We don’t have your email on file:
As mentioned above, blog update emails are automatically sent to the parents or guardians listed on the student’s account. So another common reason for not receiving these emails is that we do not have your email and contact information on file.
The email we have on file is outdated or no longer used:
If you are listed as a contact on your student’s account, then blog update emails will be sent to the email we have on file. Emails that are outdated or no longer in use will come back “undelivered.” Be sure to confirm with your GLA Travel Coordinator that we have the best contact email on file so you won’t miss a blog update!
Why doesn’t the link in the notification email go directly to my student’s blog page?
The link in the notification email goes our Program Blog Homepage, and all programs are listed in alphabetical order where you can select your student’s specific session dates to read the blog. The blog link for your student’s session will remain the same throughout the program, so if you’d like to bypass the homepage in the future, simply save or bookmark the link you to your student’s specific blog page. You can then go directly to that page whenever you receive an email notification of a new blog post.
Can I add other family and friends to receive the blog email notification list?
Our automated blog notification emails are reserved for parents and guardians only, however, you are welcome to share the link to your student’s program blog with anyone who wishes to follow along!
Who can I contact if I have another question about the blog?
If you have a question about the blog specifically, you can email our blog team at blog@experiencegla.com, however, this inbox is not monitored 24/7. For all other questions or concerns regarding the program, or if you need to get in touch with your student or the program staff, please call our 24/7 parent hotline at +1-619-758-3031 for immediate assistance.
