Program Reviews

To say my trip to Costa Rica with Global Glimpse changed my life would be an understatement. Throughout my two week trip, I was able to learn so much about the history and culture of Costa Rica. I interacted with locals and made conversation, especially when we visited the senior center and bonded with many elders. As a bilingual person, being able to even help with translation felt fulfilling but also educational. As I translated for my peers, I was also able to teach them words in spanish along with some local elders words in english.Towards the end of the trip my group and I were able to help fix up a skate park for the community. Of course, as we were digging holes, painting, cleaning and so much more, the locals fed us and helped us with whatever we needed. We laughed and danced with the locals that helped us despite the language barrier between many of us. We made a difference in their lives just as much as they did to us. I learned how to be appreciate everything in life and how to make sustainable change for myself and others around me. Global Glimpse has helped me and my peers become a better person. We are able to take our knowledge and skills from the trip and apply it to our daily lives when we came back.

Unknown of what the future could hold, I embarked on a trip that would ultimately change my life. 14 days, no phones, 21 students, 4 adults, and the mountains of Constanza, Dominican Republic. Although every student was coming from a different background, we had one thing in common: we had all applied to go on this trip, meaning that we all wanted to experience something new. I initially signed up for this trip because I wanted to speak Spanish, meet people, and help out communities in need (as it is a service trip). I had no idea of how impactful this trip could give be in my life.
Day 1 it felt like we were all little kids again, arriving at our accommodations and immediately running to the sports field with a playground. Each day forward we continued to bond, not only with each other, but with the community. We visited a community in Rio Grande, and I met a young girl who I practiced my Spanish with and played with for hours. I stood there looking around at all 21 of us smiling and running around, making all of the little kids squeal with excitement.
The highlight of my trip was "Big Love". Each night at a meeting where we reflected on our day and learned about the activities of tomorrow we ended with an opportunity to share appreciation for a person in the group. A big aspect of this activity was that everyone leaned in with enthusiasm, not caring if we sat there for 30 minutes, raising hands again and again to make sure people knew how much they were helping us. In this setting I could be unapologetically myself, and it felt like the first time I could relax without feeling social pressure.
The daily activities (working at a cucumber factory, dance classes, history city tours, etc) inspired me to want to see the world, learn about different cultures, and stretch my comfort zone. We ended the trip with our Community Action Project (CAP) where we poured concrete for the floor of 3 houses. Even if we were interrupted by the rain, we didn't let that diminish our spirits. We wanted to give back to this community in any way we could because they showed us how much love a place can hold.
It is hard to put into words what Global Glimpse taught me because I feel like a new person since returning home. I gained empathy, agency and global perspective. I am more confident in myself, curious about the world, and inspired to help others in my community and across the world.

This summer I went on 2 week a trip to Constanza, Dominican Republic, with Global Glimpse, and it changed my life. I met 21 incredible students and 4 incredible leaders. I made connections that will last me a lifetime, and I made so many memories that will stick with me forever. I was surrounded by unique and insightful people who made every day perfect. Even the briefest conversations had the greatest impact on me — I still remember a 30 second conversation I had with one of the leaders on my trip.
Not only did I connect with the people who came with me on the trip, but I connected with the community. I created bonds with the kids from Rio Grande when we went to their community to help clean houses and cook. We also played basketball, volleyball, tag, raced each other, and just spent time playing outside together. Despite any language barriers, we were all able to positively impact each other.
We also went to another community and layed cement floors for families who had dirt floors. This was our CAP: Community Action Project. The work was difficult but still fun. We sang songs, talked, hugged, and played with the kids all while mixing cements. It was amazing being able to make an impact on the families of the community, and impact their life in the same positive way they impacted ours.
When we got back from the community we were all tired but happy, and spent the rest of the day playing Uno, soccer, and just sitting and having meaningful conversations. We ended every night by giving big love to each other — we gave shout outs to everyone who made a positive impact on our day. Sometimes we would go on for 30 minutes giving new big love because we had so much to say.
It's hard to put into words how impactful my Global Glimpse trip was, but I gained so much empathy, agency and global perspective. I have never, and probably will never again, experience anything as special and eye opening. I saw parts of the world I have never seen before, and met so many people who I never would have met if I didn’t sign up for the trip. Big Love to Global Glimpse for giving me the opportunity to broaden my global perspective, gain empathy and agency, and meet students and leaders that would change my life forever.

Are you about your Global Glimpse trip? I was too, as well as excited, I felt that I wouldn't be able to click with anyone or be unprepared for my two weeks away from home. Always double-check your packing and essentials, and importantly bring a respectful and mindful attitude when it comes to meeting new people and experiencing others' lives and culture. I remembered that we were doing this together and likely sharing the same fears. There was one night when my roommate and I so happened to be awake at the same time and we were feeling down, we talked about it and were able to ease each other's minds for the rest of the trip. Your delegation becomes a little family so do not worry about not meeting anyone, you all are similar just by putting yourself out there and into this program. Last of all remember to be open to new places and information, my experience was full of fun and long-lasting memories but that also depends on how you want your trip to go!

I will admit, I was very nervous for this trip. Before leaving, I had looked up Global Glimpse about 100 times. But if you had told me all the fun I’d have, the friends and memories I’d make, I wouldn’t have doubted the trip at all. The first few days, it was a bit hard to make friends as there were multiple people from the same school and it became very clicky. But when I say that Global Glimpse and their representatives are very serious about us ALL getting along, so after few days it was relatively easy. And even if it was a little hard to make friends, there was endless activities to do each day, something completely different than the previous one. One day, it would be a dance class, mask making, visiting a farm, or something much more serious like visiting an immigration center that caters to Haitians and other immigrant populations. There wasn’t a moment where I was bored as there was always something to do. I was also able to work on my leadership skills, as every student got to be a leader for a day, which was super beneficial as I am a leader in my home community. Although my favorite moment from this program although, was definitely our community action project (CAP), where we had three families who had dirt floors and we as a group changed them to cement. Although it was work intensive, that work gave these people something that many of us in America take for granted. Not only was I able to help these people but I was even able to form a connection with one of them. Marisol, she was the most sweetest person ever and truly inspired me to continue volunteering because that feeling was unmatched. Overall, I loved this trip completely and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Being apart of Global Glimpse was an amazing experience that I got to be part of. I got to travel to an amazing country and learn so much about it. It really got me out of my comfort zone. I got to meet so many amazing people and create some good bonds. The activities we did made me really get close to everyone in the program. I got to try the different food and got to work within the community. It was an overall amazing experience and I would definitely recommend people to go on a Global Glimpse trip.

Choosing to be apart of this community was the greatest experience I could’ve ever made! This trip taught me empathy and compassion, it revealed to me parts of my personality that I cherish deeply now and help me meet my forever best friends. Getting the true experience of this country through service-learning, getting the chance to improve and branch out my leadership skills and expand my horizon. Experiences such as connecting with locals through C.A.P was heartwarming and perspective changing!

The way that my experience is unique is because it was raining during our Community Action Project days (C.A.P.). Those C.A.P. Days were three of the most impactful that I experienced in the Dominican Republic. #TeamStranded (if you know, you know) worked tirelessly even in the pouring rain, determined to finish our project. Despite the challenging circumstances, none of us gave up. I’m incredibly proud of us (JA1C) for successfully completing our project, even if it took longer than expected. Witnessing the joy on the people of the community’s faces when they saw the finished project and received access to water was a truly heartwarming experience. I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to embark on this journey and will forever treasure the memories made with new friends and in new places. Thank you, Global Glimpse, for this deeply impactful and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

My global glimpse trip to Costa Rica was really a life changing and unforgettable moment. This experience really change my perspective on the world. My memorable moment will either be Community day where we spent a whole day with a local family. Spending time with them and participating in cultural activities also helped me appreciate the strength and traditions of the people we met. My other memorable moment was our CAP days, where we spent our time to paint and plaster the wall of Santa Rosa School. It was really amazing to work alongside my peers that I grew stronger friendships with over the course of these 2 weeks. Also knowing that we are making a small but meaningful difference. To add on the overall mix of structured activities and free time throughout the course of this trip allowed my group to get to know each other better, and nightly reflections gave us the chance to really think about what we were learning. Our Global Glimpse Leaders and Program Coordinators were super supportive, helping us step up as leaders and face any challenges that came our way. By the end of the trip, I had a much better understanding of what it means to be a global citizen and realized how important it is to take action, even in small ways, to make a positive impact.

Honestly i don’t know where to begin, the whole trip with Global Glimpse was an amazing experience! The 2 week went by really quick, i love all the memories i’ve made. My experience was something i’ve never would’ve imagined, i loved all the amazing interacting experiences we had. All the funny/wonderful experiences we all shared together. This trip helped me realize a lot, to live in the moment, to take in every aspect of my day, to enjoy the moment with new friends. I love how me and my group got super close within the first 2 days!