Puerto Rico Summer Service Adventures

I really enjoyed going on the service trip. I was able to meet many people from many different walks of life. It was interesting to compare and contrast how different people went about different situations, both socially and personally. The housing was great, aside from a lack of hot water sometimes. Food was good, considering I am a vegetarian, and I was still able to find things to eat. Counselors were very relatable, which also added some more intrigue to the thing as a whole. Overall, the experience was great.

This was my teen's first experience in Puerto Rico and working with a community in an unfamiliar culture on joint problem solving and solutions. Their focus was hurricane resilience in the built environment, and the access to the homes and hospitality of the intergenerational families the group worked with could not have been better planned and framed. It was just the right mix of being outside the comfort zone and being supported. Loved the friendship building between kids of different ages and backgrounds within the program, as well. Global Works is super organized and really well run. The trip leaders are extremely well chosen, exactly the kind of influencers and experience-facilitators we all want our kids exposed to.

My 16 year old daughter just returned from a week in Puerto Rico doing construction work. This was her first trip with Global Works. She had an absolutely awesome time. She immediately bonded with a girl from New York. Her favorite part was the actual construction work. They built a concrete roof for a family of 5 whose house was damaged 3 years ago. The planning and communication from Global Works was excellent. When my daughter’s return flight was delayed, Global Works immediately reached out and said she would be taken care of if she had to spend another night in Puerto Rico. On the drive home from the airport, my daughter was on the Global Works website looking for her next trip.

My daughter participated in the Hurricane Relief program in Puerto Rico with Global Works and it was transformative. She learned so much about the culture, history and ecology of PR and had an amazing experience -mostly because she was able to truly contribute to the cause set forth by the program. She felt that the work she was doing was worthwhile and the leaders were excellent. The work performed by the group was challenging at times but very satisfying for her. She would definitely do this again!

During her time in San Juan, my daughter had an incredibly impactful and rewarding volunteer experience. Devoting herself to serving others, she took part in building homes, lending a hand in the process of reconstruction and renewal. Witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, she felt a profound connection to the community and their journey towards recovery. Amidst the devastation, she channeled her passion for environmental preservation, working tirelessly to help nurture and cultivate plants that were vital to restoring the region's natural beauty.

Through her selfless efforts, my daughter played an instrumental role in fostering hope and healing for the people of San Juan. As she collaborated with locals and fellow volunteers, she not only honed her construction and gardening skills but also cultivated a deep appreciation for the power of collective action. The bonds she forged with the community members were invaluable, as they worked together to rebuild not only homes but also the spirit of resilience that defined the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Her volunteer experience in San Juan left an indelible mark on her heart, reinforcing her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. I couldn't be prouder of my daughter for embracing this opportunity to help those in need and demonstrate the importance of solidarity and compassion in times of crisis. This experience has undoubtedly shaped her into a more empathetic, compassionate, and responsible global citizen, ready to face any challenges that lie ahead with determination and kindness.

Before discovering Global Works and this trip, I was searching for a summer activity that I could attend that satisfied my love for traveling while also serving as a way to help a community in need. Fortunately, I decided to go to Puerto Rico. The trip was amazing! It allowed me to make so many friends, experience a new culture, serve a community, gain travel experience, and to overall learn more about myself. Before going on the trip, I knew almost nothing about Puerto Rico or the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria, but after attending the trip, I returned home with incredible eye-opening stories and experiences to share. The trip leaders were all amazing and truly wanted to get to know each and every traveler and make sure everyone was healthy and actively engaged in service and the experiences. All information before the trip was clearly provided and made my parents feel more comfortable with letting me travel alone to the Caribbean, and I was able to call my parents daily, which they appreciated. If you are wondering whether or not you should go, I would 100% recommend this trip!

Before my trip I was nervous and did not know what to expect. I personally think it helped being on the group flight because I had already met people before we arrived at the iconic Big Yellow House. I never expected the trip to have such an impact on me. The group became a big family after the first day. The people we helped had open arms and I am very grateful for that. The counselors were great and I personally think they contributed to such a great trip. All of the kids I was with were great people and fun to be around. I’ve formed life long friendships and hope to see everyone in the near future.
Although we worked hard on the trip, I enjoyed having time off to explore other parts of Puerto Rico and enjoyed learning to salsa dance with my new friends.

This was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. I made great friends and met so many others. The counselors were fun, supportive, responsible, approachable and so much more. The people we worked with were so kind and understanding. I went in a group of 34 students which is pretty big so I was worried about the dynamic of the trip. But it turns out there was nothing to worry about! The group leaders adjusted and made sure everyone had everything they could possibly need. They have us jobs and made sure everyone knew what to do and where to be. We came in with open minds and made so many friends. Everyone got along for the most part and we weee one huge family by the end of the week. My one regret is that it was only a week and I wish we could stay for longer. I’ll remember this till the day I die and I will cherish it in my heart. The hardest part of this trip was saying bye to my friends, leaders, and the people we worked with. Up until we left I enjoyed every minute of my week in Puerto Rico! I hope to go back next year and help some more. I strongly suggest going on a service trip with Global Works. I know I got lucky with how great my group got along but regardless, you won’t regret it.