Global Leadership Adventures (GLA)

In 2023 I went on the GLA program: Guatemala: Global Health in the Land of the Maya. What drew me to this trip was the service work. I had previously been set on being a doctor but was scared that it was solely the idea that drew me to it, not taking vitals, interacting with patients, etc. I decided that this trip would help me to determine if this was truly something that I wanted to do. Our first day of service work was chaotic. We were in charge of facilitating a free health clinic in a rural indigenous community, asking for medical history, taking vitals, and escorting people to various stations. While it was chaotic, it was also incredibly fulfilling. It felt like I was making a positive impact on the world in a way I never had. I talked and played with so many different people that I otherwise would never have met. This service is unlike any I’ve heard of, and it ultimately led me to decide that medicine was something I wanted to pursue. Additionally, this program is not all about service work. While in Guatemala I went whitewater rafting, visited a coffee plantation, and participated in a traditional Mayan wedding ceremony all while learning CPR, and what practicing medicine is like in a different country. The final factor that made this an A+ experience was the people. The staff was caring and attentive, making sure that everyone had everything they needed and was doing okay. The friends I made on this trip were all adventurous and unique, and by the end of the trip, some bonds would last a lifetime. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone looking for an incredible experience capable of opening their eyes to adventure, perspective, and purpose—just be ready to eat a lot of black beans.

My name is Shamus Davenport and I am a senior in high school currently. Every single high school summer I have participated in a GLA program. I went on this program, the Dominican Republic: Island Service Adventure during this last Summer from July 10 through July 19. Out of this one and the two other programs I have participated in, this one was definitely my favorite. Not only was this my favorite GLA program, but it was my favorite trip in general. Of course, it’s hard to have a bad time in a place as beautiful as the Dominican Republic, but there is something very special in how GLA forms the overall experience in any trip they put on. There was not a day, an hour, a minute, or a second where I wasn’t thoroughly having fun interacting with locals, my peers, and the environment around me while learning all along the way. Every GLA experience for me is absolutely life changing. I grow my values and widen my perspective. This one was especially life changing for me. I learned all about the local communities and environment and how the two interact with each other on a day-to-day basis. Whether it was through our service or any of the many adventures we went on, there were learning opportunities the entire time. I don't want to spoil all the adventures, but I’ll give you a short overview (as short as I can make it with soo many standout experiences and adventures.) We started off in Santo Domingo, and after a culturally immersive day and night, we started our journey to our home base in Bayahibe. We made a stop in the amazing national park called Tres Ojos. One thing I will say, the food is absolutely wonderful. At home base over the week there was a balanced mix of local cuisines of fresh fruits, rich cakes, and avocados. Then, there were dishes we were more accustomed to for a taste of home and for picky eaters. Then, the next two days had a lot to offer, but we were primarily doing our service which was trail maintenance in Padre Nuestro which is in another amazing national park called Cotubanamá. Following those days of adventure in service, we went to a kids camp and spent the day playing, interacting, and teaching local children. The next day was an adventure day going to a lagoon as well as the beach close to our home base. Following this, the next two days consisted of an eye-opening spectacularly beautiful trip to Saona Island off the coast of the DR. Then our final day was filled with our return to the city of Santo Domingo including a tour teaching us the extensive history of the country's capital. Overall, my favorite part about this experience was the people. The numerous locals we got to know loved showing us the very connected culture of giving and community the Dominican Republic has to offer to all of my peers. A similarity between all of the programs I have been on are the inspiring counselors. Every single one of them I got to know and respect. Just like all of the locals, the counselors bring a unique perspective that everyone enjoys and learns so much from. Then, of course, there are my fellow “campers.” This group was small with eight other people, and I came into the trip a little disappointed because I love connecting with all of the cool kids this organization attracts, but I was very wrong. The small group size allowed everyone to connect and get so close to each other. It’s hard to pick a favorite thing or aspect of any of these programs, but this time the people around me might take the cake. I still talk to both my counselors and friends. I will fully vouch that lifelong connections are made through this experience

If you like to travel like I do, your heart will skip a beat as you look down the list of all the different countries GLA offers for teens. Dominican Republic, Bali, Thailand, Galapagos Islands, Peru, and the list goes on. Then I started reading about the different programs and I slowly filtered down to where I wanted to go and what I wanted to learn about. After you sign up for your program and country, you’ll get a package in the mail. In my package last year I received a T-shirt with a map of the world and the words “Be the Change” on it. I read and reread those words and I wondered how I would change or make a change. I wrote ‘Be the Change’ on the first page of the journal, which was also included in the package.

When I returned home after my 3 weeks of medical internship in Thailand I picked up my journal which was now slightly dirty with pages full of memories and once again saw those 3 words on the first page. I read those words with different eyes now. I had a better understanding of what it meant and why it was on the GLA t-shirt. It was then I realized there was no question mark at the end because it wasn’t a question, but a reminder. A reminder to stretch your limits, doubts, and fears and to know that the change will not be the same for everyone. For me, I changed. When I first signed up for the GLA program, I was worried about going on an international trip without my family (a first for me) and with people I never met before to a place far away that I had never been to. Lots of doubt, lots of questions, and a bit of fear were a constant reminder for me that I might have made a bad decision. Then after the trip you glow with pride as you look back on your accomplishments and experiences and you feel the change.

For instance, as a part of our internship, we toured multiple hospitals and shadowed doctors from all the different departments. During my first week of shadowing and 5 departments in, I found myself being able to narrow my interests. I found I was more interested in orthopedics and the ER rather than pediatrics and OB-GYN which was a big step for me. I remember always watching shows about the ER and I felt like it was the right place for me when I was able to experience it in person. We saw patients go in with road rashes and broken ankles and patients come out with bandages and casts. I loved seeing people get the help they needed which is why I felt like the ER was a good fit and a possibility for my future career. What you take away from the program is different for each person. For some it might mean discovering a passion for learning a new language, cooking using a new ingredient, or for travel. Others might find their true calling to help people and experience a different culture unlike their own. By joining GLA, change will happen.

How YOU will ‘Be the Change’ is in your hands.

When I first heard about GLA, it felt like a dream—traveling abroad to volunteer with a group of teens sounded exciting, but I was nervous since I’d never traveled alone before. I signed up for the Elephant and Education program in Thailand, unsure of what to expect but ready to face my fears and make new connections.

Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport made the reality of my adventure sink in. On my layover in Korea, I met another GLA student, and our conversation calmed my nerves. By the time we arrived in Thailand, I was excited, though still worried about fitting in.

As we entered the dining room, I felt unsure if anyone would want to be friends. Just as I was about to gather my courage, a friendly girl introduced herself and brought me into the group. Soon, I was playing cards with new friends, feeling welcome and confident. By the end of the first few days, I had formed deep connections with the group.

The community service was fulfilling—we learned about elephants, fed and bathed them, and worked on the sanctuary grounds. I’d never been so close to elephants before, and the experience gave me a new appreciation for them. We also taught English at a local Thai elementary school. Teaching kids who didn’t speak our language was challenging, but we used games, pictures, and videos to make lessons fun and engaging. Despite the language barrier, we formed bonds with the students, which made me reflect on my own privilege.

The trip taught me a lot about leadership, self-confidence, and respect. When it was time to leave, I was sad to say goodbye to the students, especially after they gave us heartfelt cards and gifts. Their emotional farewell showed me how much of an impact we had on their lives.

By the end of the trip, I returned home with a new perspective on myself and the world. GLA helped me grow as a person, gave me more confidence, and taught me the value of being part of a community. I now have friends from around the world and know that stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to life-changing experiences. I highly recommend GLA to any teen—it offers incredible opportunities for independence, self-discovery, and growth.

I went to Peru with GLA in June 2024 and quite literally loved every second of it. With 12 other students, I learned about healthcare in rural areas, toured around Cusco, and even learned a bit of Spanish! We did 4 clinic days, where we shadowed medical professionals in pop-up clinics. We got to work with all different ages from young children to grandparents. I think my favourite part of the clinics was getting to spend time with the children and form such a strong connection with them in just one day. While I originally thought that the language barrier could make collaborating and connecting with members of the community difficult, it wasn’t at all. The doctors I was working with were understanding and patient, and helped me when I was confused. One of my favourite memories from my trip is laughing with the children of the village, they are all so funny! I learned how to read, write, and say various phrases in Spanish and even some more complex medicine related ones too. For me, these were my favourite days because this was when I could do my most hands-on work. Seeing the impact we had on the lives of the patients was life-changing, and sparked my desire to work in medicine. If I could change the program, I would want to do more clinic days. They were so special for me, and I wish we could’ve done more so we could’ve had even more of an impact. On top of clinic days, we went to Machu Picchu, went whitewater rafting, saw the Maras Salt Mines and explored Cusco! We also got to explore the town of Ollantaytambo, before boarding a train to Aguas Calientes, the town base of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was amazing! We got there early so we could be ahead of the crowds, and had a guide to tell us about the Incan Empire and Machu Picchu. These fun experiences gave me the chance to bond with others in my group, and in only 2 weeks I made some of my best friends! Most evenings, if we weren’t too tired from the day's activities, we would go on a Cusco outing, wandering around markets, the town square, and seeing all it had to offer. We were frequent visitors of Cusco’s famous market, San Pedro. I bought some souvenirs for my family, and had the best dried mango I’ve ever eaten. It was these fun little experiences that made my trip so special. It gave me the chance to bond with others in my group, and in only 2 weeks I made some of my best friends!