Program Reviews

As a junior in high school, I had the opportunity to travel outside of the country, by myself for the first time with Global Glimpse! Global Glimpse is such a good organization to be a part of because not only does it prepare you with so much time, but they are very organized. My time in Costa Rica felt like a dream that I didn't want to end. I made so many friends and got to know everyone throughout the 2 weeks we spent there. Something my parents were worried about was that I wouldn't be allowed to use my phone, but honestly not having my phone was the best decision. Global Glimpse made sure that I was in contact with my parents by allowing the program coordinators to set up 3 calls throughout my time there. My parents were also in touch with a blog post that was posted every day reviewing everything we did there. My Global Glimpse leaders (Guillermo and Fabiana) and Program coordinators (Denise and Rosario) also took many pictures and videos and share them with the family members! Another note is that I felt so cared about by the staff there. The food was terrific and when I had an upset stomach around halfway through the trip, the cooks made sure I was hydrated and had the right food. One of the program coordinators, Fabiana (shout out to you!) massaged my arms as they were a bit swollen, and a couple of hours after, I felt ready to go! This trip definitely isn't easy because you need to be willing to step out of your comfort zone, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences ever. It demonstrates to you what being a leader really means and how building strong connections is so important. If you want to get to know a new country alongside others with the same goal this trip is right for you!

My experience was very unique and unlike anything I've ever experienced. For example, I got to meet several amazing people that I wouldn't have met had I not went with Global Glimpse. We participated in several activities such as -
- visiting an indigenous community and learning their history and way of life.
- learning about how global business affects the Ecuadorian economy and the local businesses that compete against international corporations
- helping a family and learning their way of life; I also had a fun time comparing their lifestyle to mine in America
- participating in a Community Action Project - my CAP helping to reinvigorate a elementary and high school by repainting faded lines in its soccer court, making new games, and creating bulletin boards so students could better express themselves. It was a pleasure to work with the students at the school and learning what I can do in a joint-effort project to be more efficient and helpful.

Overall, it was a great and fun trip, where we also had free time to explore the downtown of our city and explore a beautiful waterfall.

This is an unforgettable experience that will change your vision about life. From my experience, not having access to technology was very helpful for me because I could have a break from all my activities, have time for myself and build new friendships. What made the program powerful is spending time with the community because they told us about their work, family, perspective of life, etc. Which had a huge impact on me because made me realize that not everyone have access to the basic needs as it should be. Therefore, receiving financial support if necessary, obtaining important information in advance and feeling safe throughout the trip are key elements to not miss out on a great opportunity and get out of your comfort zone.

My Costa Rica trip with Global Glimpse was a blast. I went into this trip as a rising senior in high school and I didn’t know anyone going on this trip. I met everyone I would be traveling with at the airport just hours before takeoff, but it didn’t take long for us to all feel like one big family. Landing in another country, I was nervous since my Spanish speaking skills were not amazing; however, every person I met in Costa Rica was kind and patient even though we had a language barrier. The first word that came to my mind when I stepped out of the airport was: fresh. The environment in Costa Rica is filled with green everywhere and lots of animals including many butterflies. Some of my favorite things from my trip was trying new foods, including making my own empanadas, and going on new adventures to farms, hiking, rivers, coffee plantations, towns, churches and schools. The leaders on my trip were very knowledgeable and passionate about their job as a leader for us. This enhanced my experience because they made learning about the Costa Rica community fun! My favorite day on this trip was community day, where we (in groups of 4 students) spent the day with a family in the town in their house. This allowed me to see how they live, act, and cook. By the end of this trip, I was so amazed by everyone I had met and all the new things I learned! I definitely recommend this trip for students who want to explore the community of Costa Rica and make new friends!