PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- 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.
- 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.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- 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 30
We arrived successfully in Spain! All students scheduled to arrive today got to the airport in Madrid safe and sound, and took the bus back to Colegio Mayol, our homebase in Toledo. We used the afternoon for rest and relaxation after our long flights, and had our first ever chow circle in the evening (a moment where we normally share reflections, announcements, and give shoutouts). Excited for our first full day tomorrow, and to welcome our last student, Alexandria!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
July 1st Our First Day as a Full Group!
Today was our first full day together at our home base and what a great start it was! We began with an orientation session, where we learned about the GLA rules and got a deeper understanding of how the program works. It gave us helpful context and a clearer idea of what to expect during our time here.
After lunch at home base, we played a fun activity called “Get to Know Your Mentor” with our mentor groups. It was a great chance to connect, share, and start feeling more comfortable with one another.
Later in the afternoon, we headed out to explore the historic center of Toledo! We kicked off a scavenger hunt in our mentor groups as an exciting way to discover the city’s beautiful streets, ancient architecture, and charming little corners. The old buildings, narrow alleyways, and unique streetlights made the experience even more magical.
We ended the day with a delicious dinner in downtown Toledo a perfect ending to a day full of learning, bonding, and adventure.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Today’s GLA Spain program had a stellar second day. We started off with community outreach by volunteering with a local summer camp. By playing fun games and interacting with kids of all ages, our Spanish and their English both improved. After lunch, we transitioned to our first Spanish classes. We were separated into groups based on our prior knowledge and experience with Spanish. We were introduced to three incredible teachers that will guide us on our Spanish speaking journey.
As a nice way to stay cool and refreshed from the heat, the group then went to a nearby pool. Here, we were able to socialize with friends and we enjoyed a nice evening filled with swimming and ice cream. After we got back and had dinner, we had our first mentor group sessions. We shared intimate reflections and were able to thoroughly talk about the day we experienced. Overall, it was a great day and we are looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow!
By Ana, Morgan, and Ezra
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
Leaders of the day: Dylan, Clayton, Henry
Today was a grand day full of adventure and new opportunities. After an early wake up we rushed to meet the bus; bonding amongst ourselves expressing Spanish culture.
Once we arrived at Cruz Roja, we organized ourselves into groups for efficient trash cleaning. We diligently walked down the unique Tajo river only taking breaks from the trash picking to admire the beautiful views. 30 pounds of trash later we had completed the journey.
We walked to one of Toledo’s oldest restaurants to enjoy an immaculate lunch. Full and happy we rode the bus back to home base to start Spanish classes. We learned about the deep stretches of Spanish culture through videos, games, and grammar lessons.
Finishing the day, we took a quick dip in the pool and then headed back for an activity that opened up our eyes to the effects of screens to teens. We then tucked in for the night, excited for the next day to come.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Leaders of the Day: Ellen, Charlotte, and Lincoln
The day started off by several of us waking up early to see the sun rise. We climbed the hill behind the school and made it up to a spot where we had a perfect view of the sun.
After the morning walk and breakfast we met the kids at the summer camp. We then participated in some water activities while learning Spanish from interacting with the teachers and students.
After drying off, we jumped right back into service, this time by dancing our hearts out with the kids to Just Dance. The energy was high, and everyone had a blast moving together and sharing laughs.
Following a fun-filled morning, we sat down for lunch and then transitioned into our third Spanish class. Today’s lesson was hands on and delicious, we peeled, chopped, and blended our way through a recipe to make homemade gazpacho.
In the late afternoon we took a quick bus to Toledo and were guided through the city’s centuries old buildings. As we walked we learned about old Spanish legends in Toledo and the historical spots that hold them. We couldn’t find Hercules’ treasure but did get some delicious pizza out in the city afterwards. 20,000 steps later, we will have sweet dreams of heading to Madrid tomorrow!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Leaders of the Day: Saila, Parker, Deven, and Jed
Driving into Madrid was the start of a day packed with energy, culture, and unforgettable moments. After arriving and settling in, our first stop was the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — a must-see for any soccer lover. Touring the home of Real Madrid was surreal: we stood high in the stands overlooking the legendary pitch, and wandered through the trophy-filled museum. The atmosphere, even without a match, was electric — a true tribute to one of the world’s greatest soccer clubs.
Later in the afternoon, we shifted from sport to soul with a flamenco class in the heart of the city. Our instructor taught us the basic rhythms and movements — not easy, but incredibly fun! That night, we watched a live flamenco show in a traditional tablao. The dancer’s intensity, the singer’s voice, and the guitarist’s skill created a performance that was raw, emotional, and powerful. Then we went to the mall for some souvenir shopping before heading back to the hostel for bedtime. Our first day in Madrid gave us the perfect mix of passion — from the stadium to the stage — all in one unforgettable day.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Leaders of the day: Olivia, Simone, and Teddy
We woke up in the lively city of Madrid and immersed ourselves in its authentic essence: art, history, and the buzz of the streets. The morning greeted us with vibrant energy that carried through the whole day.
In the late morning, we joined a cooking workshop where we learned how to make traditional paella. Guided by skilled chefs, we discovered the secrets of each ingredient and had fun recreating locally inspired flavors. It was interactive, educational, and—best of all—delicious.
After tasting our own creations, we delved into the city’s shopping vibe, stopping at charming shops—from big-name brands to hidden local gems. It was the perfect time to enjoy some retail therapy, sip a café con leche on the go, and soak up the urban atmosphere.
With our bags full and spirits high, we hopped back on the bus to return to our home base. The evening was spent in chill mode—laughing, chatting, and resting after an active and discovery-filled day.
A well-balanced day: culture, cuisine, shopping, and relaxation. A truly unforgettable experience!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 7
Today was filled with energy, culture, and meaningful conversations. we started the day by waking up at 8:30 and having a quick breakfast to fuel up for what was ahead. By 9:30, we were already in full swing with a vibrant service alongside the kids. We danced, laughed, and played fun games—it was such a beautiful way to connect and start the day with joy.
After all that movement, lunch was much appreciated (we had ham—simple but satisfying). Then, from 1:30 to 4:30, we dove into Spanish class. It was intense but super rewarding. Learning a new language in this kind of immersive setting makes everything stick so much better.
Once class wrapped up, we had the option to relax by heading to the pool or staying back and getting beautiful henna designs. We loved seeing everyone enjoy some downtime in their own way.
In the evening, things got reflective—we had a thoughtful and respectful debate about the complexities surrounding the Spanish language and its cultural implications. It was eye-opening and sparked some great conversations.
We ended the day feeling fulfilled and grateful after such a meaningful and fun-filled day.
Leaders of the day: Lara, Max, and Chloe.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
Hola todos,
We started the morning on a bus heading through the Spanish countryside, passing golden fields and distant hills as we made our way to see the famous windmills. Standing tall and white against the skyline, they felt like a quiet nod to history, evoking the world of Don Quijote.
From there, we hopped on the bus and headed to a lake for kayaking. The water was calm, the sun high, and laughter echoed as we paddled across the surface.
After kayaking, we took a short ride to a spot by the lake where we had lunch. We then jumped back in to swim in the lake. The water was cool and refreshing.
At the end of the day, we made our way back to Toledo listening to music on the bus ride home. We had our last dinner at the camp. We are bittersweet about our last day in Toledo.
From,
Anika, Keira and Ian
BLOG POST FOR JULY 9
Written by leaders of the day: Valentina, Robbie, and Milo
Today in the GLA program we participated in a zip lining activity across the Tagus river in Toledo. Once the zip line tour was completed the group did some fun shopping in Toledo. The group headed back to home base for some tasty chickpea salad. This concluded the start of this fun but activity packed day.
In the afternoon, we went to our final Spanish class where we participated in an exciting scavenger hunt that had everyone running around the campus. Through teamwork and communication, we collected clues and used our Spanish skills to solve each one carefully. Each clue had its own twist and kept everyone on their toes, creating excitement and anticipation. Once everyone completed their hunt, we partook in fun group activities, ranging from tongue twisters to Kahoot, to engage our Spanish. To finish the session off, we took a group picture to keep memory of the moments shared. After bittersweet goodbyes and thank yous we left to get ready for our next activity, the pool.
After going zip lining and doing our final day of Spanish class we went to the pool to go hangout and have dinner. The pool has been a very fun activity for all of us the past couple days. A bunch of kids played games in the pool and even competed to see who could hold a hand stand for the longest. And tomorrow, we’re off to Barcelona!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 10
Written by leaders of the day: Errol, Maria, and Danielle
Breakfast was at 8 serving toast, eggs, ham. We packed before breakfast so when the bus came we were ready. A one hour Bus ride to Madrid, followed by a three hour train ride to barcelona concluded our morning.
In the afternoon, we took the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona. The ride was smooth and gave us time to relax and enjoy the view. After arriving, we walked from the train station to our hostel, taking in our first glimpses of the city. We then had a cafeteria-style lunch to refuel before heading out again.
In the evening, we took the metro to the Gothic Quarter, where we had a guided walking tour through its historic streets. After the tour, we had some free time to explore and shop around the area. We ended the night with dinner at a build-your-own pasta restaurant, which was a fun and delicious way to wrap up the day.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 11
Written by Leaders of the Day: Chase, Isaac, and Matias
Today was a full and exciting day here in Barcelona. We started off by visiting the gardens near Park Güell, where we walked through peaceful green spaces and got a chance to enjoy some quiet time in nature before the busier parts of the day. The views from the top were amazing, and it was a great spot for group photos and a relaxed start to the morning.
Next, we headed to the Sagrada Família. We explored both the inside and outside of the church, and it was really cool to see how detailed and massive the building is up close. Everyone seemed really engaged during the visit, and we had time to walk around and take in all the different parts of the architecture. Afterward, we finished the day at Marbella Beach, where we got to swim, relax, and enjoy the sun. It was a nice way to end the day, and the group had a lot of fun together!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 12
Leaders of the day: Alexandria, Spencer, and Alberta
Final day of the trip! We began the morning with a fun bike tour around the Barceloneta area, passing beaches, harbors, historic buildings, and some awesome sculptures. Some of us even stopped for ice cream at a legendary ice cream shop that bases their flavors on people’s memories! We learned a lot and got a workout biking around the coastal neighborhoods.
Afterward, we went to an amazing local tapas place around the corner from where we started the bike tour. We got to try some delicious local dishes like seafood paella, patatas bravas, and pan tumaca. The atmosphere was very fun as well and we had a great time talking and eating together.
In the evening we had time to pack our bags and get some rest before heading out for our farewell dinner. Before leaving, we did a really nice closing activity called the Appreciation Circle, in which we were able to show anonymous appreciation for each other following different prompts. We ended the day with some shopping and burgers. Spain, we will miss you!
