Ecuador: Galapagos & Andean Service Adventure

I have participated in Global Works summer trips for the past four summers, and there is reason I keep coming back. These trips have become the time I most look forward to in my year. Global Works has given me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, create long-lasting connections, build as a leader, and explore some of the most incredible places in the world. The service projects are always incredibly impactful and exciting to do. The home-stay part of the trip is something that sets Global Works apart from many other summer trips. They have given me the chance to experience life from a different perspective, forming connections with a community that is not my own. The group leaders are and have been incredibly fun, organized, and committed to providing the best experience for all of us. At times where I was not feeling well, the leaders were attentive and found a way to help under all circumstances. Something I love most about Global Works is its commitment to immersing kids into a country, culture, and community. It's easy to be a tourist, but with Global Works I have always felt such a strong connection to the places we visit, the people we meet, and the work we do. Ecuador was an incredible trip, it was a mix of service work and home stays in the mountains as well as an amazing Galapagos experience. Ecuador is not a place I thought I would ever visit, but I am happy I did with Global Works because they made it a truly unforgettable, immersive, and overall amazing trip. This goes for any chosen program, each one is uniquely different, but all of them are unforgettable experiences.

This trip was easily one of the highlights of my life, it was breathtaking. I learned so much about the Galapagos Islands and how humans have impacted the islands. we explored forests mountains deserts. We learned about indigenous wildlife and invasive species. We learned how the animals found their way to the island and how they interact with each other. I met so many new people all from different places and with different back rounds and got along with everyone, everyone on the trip we all formed a bond together and realized how good of an opportunity we all had to be in such a beautiful location. Everything we did was something completely new and fun. one moment we'd be snorkeling in the ocean and what felt likes moments later we were on a life changing hike on a volcano. This trip really changed my life and I thank everyone I could share the experience with.

Going on a trip to another country without my family was something I had never done before this trip with Global Works and I am so thankful I did. This trip was one of the most amazing and memorable experiences I have ever had, and I tried so many new things. I snorkeled for the first time, and swam with so many really cool sea creatures including sharks which had previously been a fear of mine. I had thought I would miss my family but my trip leaders, Jason and Katie, were awesome and so much fun. While on the Galapagos Islands, I was a boat, bus, and plane ride away from home, but my trip leaders and the island guides not only made me feel safe, but were a great support system throughout the trip. My time on this trip was spent making a ton of new friends from all over the United States, many of whom I'm still in touch with now. There was never a boring moment on the trip. We had incredible activities planned everyday, most of which I wouldn't be able to do anywhere else in the world, and we wrote about them and posted online each day (with photos) so our families could see all the fun we were having. The first day we went to Papallacta's natural hot springs (another first for me), which was very relaxing, and later on, we hiked up the Sierra Negra volcano - which made for some incredible photos. While the trip was full of expeditions and trips all over the islands, we also did volunteer work on the island of Isabela to help the local community and the tortoises. Our group stayed and worked at Campo Duro where we cleared and weeded a large area in the tortoise paddock. We also did some weeding in the large organic garden where they grow many of the vegetables served for meals to the group. There was a huge field in between all of the tents we stayed in, and when we weren't working, we played cards and spent time around a fire laughing and telling stories. (Tip: remember to pack cards and small, fun games.) While all of this was incredibly fun, my most memorable experience was our last day of snorkeling. After getting wetsuits and snorkeling gear, we took a boat ride to go to our final activity. Once I remembered how to zip up my suit (which I may have gotten a little help to do) we jumped off the boat and began swimming around to spot the many different animals. In the end, our group saw a sea horse, stingrays, sharks, a penguin, fish that seemed to glow, and many, many sea turtles. These animals swam right past me and some even right next to me. They were unaffected by our presence, and I had never seen anything like it. The water temperature was just right at 72F, and the weather was perfect the entire 10 days I spent there. I won't ever forget this experience, especially because I really was able to put to use my years of Spanish classes. We spoke Spanish often - with our trip leaders and guides, people in the communities we worked and stayed with, shopkeepers in Quito and with each other. It was an awesome feeling to know that my school Spanish was actually pretty good - and at times a bit embarrassing, which just added to the stories and laughter! I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to experience Ecuador's culture and highly recommend the Galapagos Island trip with Global Works.

I've done a fair bit of traveling with my family, and while those experiences were enjoyable, this program was the most memorable trip I've ever taken. From the trip leaders- who were supportive, relaxed, and pretty good with dealing with twenty teenagers- to the activities we did, the entire program was incredible. I met wonderful people just like me from all around the country (and abroad!) who I made lasting friendships and memories with. The trip was a perfect balance of education, service, and fun- from the incredible snorkeling to building a community garden. My only regret about this trip was not taking another sooner!