What countries does School the World offer programs in?

School the World offers programs across 4 countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.

Is School the World reputable?

Based on 16 verified Go Overseas community reviews, School the World averages 5 out of 5. Reviewers most often cite service learning programs, engagement with local communities, forming meaningful friendships. Read reviews to learn more.

School the World

Why choose School the World?

School the World is an international nonprofit based in Boston and working in Central America. We have a mission to ensure that children are finishing primary school knowing how to read, write, and with basic math skills. Since our founding, School the World has built 60 schools in Guatemala and Honduras, built 318 classroom libraries, trained over 4,463 parents, and launched teacher training programs for 255 teachers.

Become a School the World World Changer! Spend the months before your Spring or Summer break fundraising for a nine-day trip in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Funds you raise will go directly towards the materials and supplies to build a school in Guatemala. You will have the opportunity to visit that village over your spring or summer break to help complete the school construction in time to join the dedication ceremony with the community. You will also have the chance to explore the culture and history of Guatemala through various excursions!

Founded

2009

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Community Photos

Some students and I after the classroom was done

A student and I at recess on the final day!

Rodrick, a student, and I before I left the community on the final day.

Reviews

My trip to Panama with School the World was truly an eye-awakening experience. Growing up in a suburban town near Boston, I lacked depth on what life outside of the United States looked like. Through traveling with School the World, I understood the challenges that communities faced that lived in rural poverty firsthand. I was able to make a direct impact on the community through concrete making and playing with the children during recess. Furthermore, the STW community itself was beautiful, as I formed formidable connections with others who were working towards the same goal as me, and by going to the beach at sunset, washing the paint and dirt from the day's hard work. It was an opportunity that began to lay down the path of what I would want to pursue going into college. This service trip is one that I would recommend to anyone!!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future travelers would be to really go with an open mind so that you can endure and experience everything to the best of your ability. Every country and community is beautiful, so pause and soak everything in!

Pros

Engaging with the local community
Creating lasting friendships with those on your service trip
Working hard in the community, and watching it pay off as the children you connected with play on the playgrounds you built

I went to Panama last March to help build a school in a rural community. It was seriously one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much about the world around me, and about the struggles many people face while experiencing poverty. I was able to see how hard daily life and simple tasks were for families when there were not many resources around them. On top of that, I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I love being able to connect and help others. My love for service grew, and I knew I wanted to become more involved with School the World after my trip! On my trip, we were able to play with the kids at recess which was one of the most memorable times on my trip. It was so amazing to see the students so happy with shining smiles on their faces. Additionally, we had the opportunity to teach the students in the classroom. We created a lesson plan to teach the students, and did crafts with them. I also got to shadow a family and their home in the area. It was so hard to see them live like they did, however, I was able to learn a lot about their culture and what they do to make meals, their dresses, and get by day by day. I would recommend this trip to anyone because it changed my perspective on life, others lives, and exposed me to so many new and enriching experiences!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

I would recommend that you keep an open mind and be willing to put yourself out of your comfort zone. Traveling to a different country with other people you may not know as well, and places you may not be familiar with can be nerve racking, however, I firmly believe that by being willing to step outside of your comfort zone you are able to benefit so much from the trip. You are able to form meaningful bonds with the other volunteers, students at the school, and fully take in the moments you will experience while you are there!

Pros

The friendships you form on the trip.
The experiences you will have, like going to Panama City, teaching students in the classroom, and shadowing a family.
The fulfillment and joy you feel after helping people in need.

Words can not express how meaningful my School the World experience was when I went on my first trip last March. Never had I experienced such love and joy than when I was interacting with the community we were visiting. While I went on the trip to give to others, so much more was given to me. My School the World trip is one of my most cherished memories and I strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about going to sign up. I promise you will be so happy your made the time to do it. It is worth every minute and truly changed my life forever.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

A nerve racking moment for me was when I first arrived into the community and I saw the beautiful faces of all of its children’s and members. I instantly became worried that my little knowledge of Spanish would prevent me from building meaningful relationships. Even though I could not speak the same language, my interactions, especially with the kids, could not have been more meaningful. Whether it was teaching them English in their classrooms through songs and dances or playing soccer with them on the luscious green grass, every moment was a moment of love and joy. By the end of the trip, the fact that I couldn’t speak to them seemed to have had negative affect on my experience. If anything, having to show my love and dedication rather than say it, deepened the unforgettable bonds that I was able to form.

From being immersed in a new culture to overcoming language barriers, my trip to Honduras was an amazing experience. The trip opened my eyes to both the struggles in the community of Quebrada but also to their joy and kindness. While the work was hard, our effort was worth it when we saw the children enjoying their new playgrounds. Being able to interact with the community made the project more personal, and overall, a better experience. This trip showed me how big both the educational and economic gap are and inspired me to continue to work to change it. I will never forget this trip or it’s impact!

Pros

Immersion into a new culture
Learning a new language
Meeting people from all over

Over my High Schools April spring break, I traveled to Panama with School The World. This organization is set up by an incredible group of staff members and volunteers. While also on my trip, I met some of my best friends who I got to share this experience with. Before going on this trip, I did not really know what to expect other than the information we had been given beforehand. I was not sure if I was going to enjoy myself while on this trip, but after I had been on it, I realized it was my favorite trip yet. During this experience, learning first hand how so many people live in rural parts of Panama was so eye-opening. This program showed me as a high school student how much privilege I live with in my daily life. I have nothing but respect and praise to give to Danielle, Natalie, Ali, and Anna who run this program. I was nervous about going on this trip without being fluent in Spanish, but once I got there I realized how much Spanish you can use when you are around people who do not speak any, or very little English. I was a great time to use all my skills I have been learning and I feel much more confident in my Spanish now. I HIGHLY recommend this trip for absolutely anyone interested in service trips in Latin America.

Pros