Program Reviews

Traveling to a different country without your family and with no technology for two weeks might sound scary at first but despite the concerns and the hesitations, traveling to one of the 3 countries offered by Global Glimpse (Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Panama) is a life changing experience you would not want to miss out on. Personally I was really hesitant and had many worries about this trip but once I was at the airport on my way to the Dominican Republic all my worries went away because I knew how accomplishing it felt for my family and I to be able to send me on this trip. The moment I knew this trip would allow me to bond and create new connections was when at the airport everyone was already getting to know each other, we were laughing, talking, and even crying to one another. That comforting feeling of being able to connect with people so fast was the moment I knew I had nothing to worry about because I would be surrounded by an amazing group of people who truly cared about one another. I also want to add that the bond formed between me and all 4 of my leaders is honestly one of my favorite things about this entire trip.Once my delegation arrived to our accommodation in San Pedro De Macorís DR we got all settled in, got some rest to be energized and ready to go the next morning. Each day consisted of a new and exciting activity, from exploring the city, doing some shopping, playing games with the community, etc, every single day you were experiencing something new that related to the culture of the country and it was such a joyful and fun time. Not to give anything away for future delegations but my favorite activity was definitely playing a game of baseball with the kids of the community and with my GG team! I will say, although yes our days are packed and tiring, you may experience being home sick and that is totally okay! I was personally really home sick a lot of the time but the support and the mutual feeling between other glimpsers brought me comfort knowing everything was okay. Oh and those 2 phone calls home are something you and your family will cherish! Something I want to add that I wish I took more seriously about the Dominican Republic is DO NOT underestimate the heat. The weather is very hot and humid and it can get exhausting so make sure you bring enough clothes and fresh outfits as that is really important! Last thing I want to make worth mentioning is the experience gained from this program is like no other. You will learn how to be more appreciative, you will gain compassion, the Global Glimpse program will overall just help you grow as a person, and who doesn't want that. I hope more people can gain more knowledge on what the program consists of because this is not something you should miss out on.

These 2 weeks in Costa Rica is something I would never trade anything for and an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful that Global Glimpse offers this opportunity to so many students and I was able to apply. Before the trip, I was thinking that 2 weeks is a long time and I'm going to miss being home. However, now that the trip has ended, I wish to relive those 2 weeks again.
I was in a room with 5 other girls and it was truly amazing. Every night, we would chat a little in bed before going to sleep. Every morning, we would all squish together in the bathroom and try to get ready at the same time. My bunkmate would braid my hair every morning and we matched hairstyles for most days. It was so nice to live together with other girls for 2 weeks and I felt like I had a constant support system. For every meal, all 22 students and the 4 adults would eat together. I loved eating at a large dining table and enjoying every meal with the people I love. Not to mention, there were fresh fruit juices accompanied by every meal. I would wake up every morning to the sound of birds and sometimes even to the chattering and laughter of our friends. We were surrounded by trees and the beauty of nature. Sometimes I would sit at the swinging bench at our accommodation and just look out into the view. Costa Rica is so beautiful and I loved where we stayed.
There were numerous moments throughout this trip that I could talk on and on about. However, one of my favorite days would be Community Day. We went to a local family's house and spent the day there. We got to cook together with the family and learn a couple of games. I am extremely glad that I got to learn how to play the game Rummy. Because of this game, I was able to form close relationships with some people. After this day, I continued to play Rummy with two of my friends and our Program Coordinator, Memo, every day. This simple game brought me many memories. Another memory that I will never forget would be jumping into the pool with everyone else while all of us were still fully dressed. It was sprinkling at that time but everyone still jumped in anyway. All of us were just laughing and splashing water at each other in the pool and it was truly one of the moments where my heart felt so full.
On this trip, we were also able to learn about the culture and history of Costa Rica. We had three seminars throughout this trip and even learned about local businesses. The Community Action Project was certainly another significant part of this trip. We had to make cement and build a path for the kids at Aquiares School. All of us had to work together and teamwork was an important aspect of this project.
Thank you Global Glimpse for offering this amazing opportunity to me. Thank you to our PCs for giving guidance to us and being such great leaders. A special thank you to Memo for making us laugh and playing games with us, adding so much joy to the trip. I was able to not only form long-lasting memories but also build my leadership skills and learn the importance of community. I felt so seen, acknowledged, loved, and appreciated on this trip. This trip taught me that people love and appreciate you for who you are. Costa Rica and the people from this trip will forever hold a place in my heart and soul. Trust me, you will not regret going on this trip.

This trip was such an amazing opportunity that I had such a great time on. I flew and stayed in Juan Dolió, Dominican Republic with 20 other students from the Chicago area and our two leaders. We spent some days learning about different problems the communities were facing and how current organizations are helping before working to help build and floor some houses in one of the villages. It was a no phones trip (once we got to the DR), but I’m so glad it was because I got so close with so many of the other students on the trip. The organization (Global Glimpse) is also amazing with helping to make the experience so affordable for everyone through financial aid and even helped us get passports if we needed them.

I was Leader of the Day on our first Cap Day 1 project. I had an idea to decorate the walls with a design instead of leaving them blank, and so I worked with the students in "design meetings" before Cap Day, talked with the GG leaders if it was possible, presented my ideas to the school board of Eslabon, and ultimately worked as a team with my student group to draw out the designs, outline them, and color them in. I felt that I grew as a leader and as someone who take initiative through this exp.

I wish this trip didn’t end. When I first started high school, I wanted to be the best version of myself. I can’t say I was the best freshman. It was a chaotic year, but through that chaos, I discovered something important about myself: I loved leading people. I began my freshman year as vice president of the school anime club. While that may not seem significant, it was a huge milestone for me. Alongside a sophomore, we revived and rebuilt the club. That’s where my story began.

I joined more organizations than I initially wanted to, but I have no regrets. I was obsessed with being a people-pleaser and making my mother happy. She was a single mother, often independent, and always encouraged my brother and me to do well in school. Despite her challenges, she pushed us to excel academically. Now, as a rising senior, I’m involved in 15 organizations, holding leadership positions in five, including being president of one and student chair of two. I also have two recognitions, one from the state and one from my theater department.

Despite these accomplishments, I always felt it wasn’t enough. I wanted more from my leadership experiences. Then, I discovered Global Glimpse. Nominated by my Director of Equity and Inclusion, I’ll cut to the chase. This turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. It was exactly what I needed—not just fun, but an affordable experience that broadened my perspective.

The idea of having no phone for two weeks or being away from my parents was daunting. However, everyone on the trip was in the same situation: no phone, no parents, and closest friends at home. This trip was incredibly valuable, teaching life lessons and providing a global perspective I couldn’t gain in the US. The struggles I witnessed were real, not just media portrayals.

I want every student to experience something like this, though I know it’s not possible for all. However, students should at least know that Global Glimpse exists. I made many friends, not just among fellow students, but with the leaders too. This experience was truly amazing, and I loved every moment of it. If your school offers this program, I highly encourage you to try it. Thank you, Global Glimpse, for this incredible opportunity, and thank you to my school for making it possible. I wish I could have stayed longer. Panama was amazing.

Recently, I traveled to Constanza in the Dominican Republic, a trip that deeply impacted my self-identity and personal growth. I initially signed up for the trip without knowing anyone, I was scared that I wouldn't have fun since I had no friends nor cellphone. However, my fears were quickly alleviated as I made my first friend even before departing for the Dominican Republic. The friendships I formed on this trip were amazing and made me forget what a cellphone even was. The days were perfectly planned, a perfect balance of structured activities and free time. The accommodations were outstanding, delicious food, comfortable rooms, and a welcoming staff. The adults on the trip treated us like family, always ready to assist with any problem, big or small, and constantly checking on our well-being. I had the opportunity to try new foods, dance, create art, shop, work and live like a local, visit crystal-clear beaches, and most importantly, improve the lives of others. Our goal on this trip was to improve a local school, and together with other students, we tackled several projects. These activities were not just about physical labor; they were about collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect. As we worked, local children joined us, adding their touches. It was a beautiful blend of cultures coming together to create something meaningful. I returned home with a deeper appreciation for diversity and a strengthened ability to engage with others, regardless of our differences. It showed me that even as a teenager, I have the ability to adapt, contribute, and grow in unfamiliar environments. This trip has been my favorite thus far and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Going into this trip had me excited for MONTHS!. Knowing that I was going to be able to have a chance to go to a new country with new people had me full of excitement. During my trip I was able to experience new things for example, discovering the culture, foods, and community. This allowed me to stay interested throughout the whole trip since we had new things to do. I really enjoyed being able to see community’s and factories working on their products like vegetables and the growing process!!!

My two weeks in Costa Rica have impacted me more than any school experience I’ve ever had, and that is not an exaggeration. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I felt a whirl of emotions. All the anticipation and excitement had led to this moment, but what truly awaited me in this new destination of mine? Never would I have imagined I would have seen, felt, and experienced so much beauty through the nature which could only be appreciated without technology. When we arrived at the San Jose airport in Costa Rica, my trip mates began buzzing with conversation, sharing their thoughts and hopes for the trip. The bus ride to the hotel only made our excitement grow as our PCs warmed up to us and talked about how the trip would go. A sense of community was established from that moment, as we all shared the same drive for a new experience. We all shared snacks and stories about our lives back home, not realizing we were making new memories which we would tell once we got back to our usual lives. The simple act of sharing was enough to bring us closer than most people for only two weeks. We shared encouraging words, and showed lots of care through every activity. Learning about the history of a place and its people has a profound impact, much more than simply learning it from your desk in a dimly lit classroom, where most of your peers have their heads down. The CAP project squeezed the energy out of us, but with it came the opportunity to create change, and this change did not only blossom through our work; it reflected itself back to us, with a sensation if accomplishment and a newfound purpose growing in our chests. A fond memory of mine is of when we finished our last CAP day. After walking back home, feeling exhausted and hungry, the PCs and GGLs had no clue that we still had something in us… we all jumped into the pool from our accommodation with our clothes still on! The laughter could be heard from afar, and although the water turned grey from the dust and cement, our experience became golden. By the end of the trip around the last few days, we spent as much time together as possible, bonding over silly little drawings and tubs of ice cream. We shared things that meant a lot to us, and then it was time to say goodbye. We ate our final lunch at the base house, and thanked our chefs for their outstanding meals and love which was present in every bite. We had our final nightly meeting at the hotel and the next day, it was time to say goodbye. We were unfortunately split into two groups for our final flight, and this was the hardest part. Hugs, goodbyes, and thank you’s were exchanged. We couldn’t stop the tears from flowing, but we promised we would see each other again, and we most certainly have. This trip truly has been an adventure of a lifetime, with experiences, memories, and friends that we’ll cherish for as long as we live. Thank you to all the supporters who made this possible, and never miss out on opportunities such as this one, for you too can experience something as great as this.

The trip, for sure, was life changing. Especially if you have never traveled without your parents, or traveled at all even, it is a journey you’ll never forget. The people you’ll meet will share a great bond with you. For me, I met people whom I could share everything with: from light-hearted conversations to ones I’ve struggled with telling others. Of course, this is a trip where you’ll be co-inhabiting with many others. And on my trip, many were wonderful trip mates with a few hiccups here and there. But hey, that’s just preparing you for life. Something that I would like to say is, the trip is like a mini experience at real life for us reaching the real world. There were times when my patience was tested to its limits, others when I feel like I truly belong. I would recommend this trip to just about anyone as it helps better you in so many ways. I tend to be more reserved in social outings. However, this trip has made me realize that it is only a mindset. That goes for so many things. The food, the city, the people, you truly get to immerse yourself into the country on this trip.

Global Glimpse program gave me the opportunity to travel to a country to learn, and explore a lifestyle that we are not used to. Global Glimpse taught me how to be independent and how to be an adult for 2 weeks. I learned how to schedule and organize my time accordingly. Global Glimpse not only has helped me to step out of my comfort zone but also being comfortable with the uncomfortable. It was really astonishing to see another type of lifestyle that we don’t get to see on a daily basis. Global Glimpse did a great job preparing me for my trip as well as what to expect. Global Glimpse is a program that helped me add another value to my hobby, which is surrounding myself with nature.