Global Routes

Program Reviews

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Blair
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Enriching gap year experience!

My Global Routes experience was without a doubt the highlight of my gap year. During my 4 months in Costa Rica I lived in a small town outside of San Isidro with a family who I grew very close to throughout my time there; I even went back to visit the following year and I am still in very close communication with them. I spent my days teaching english at the local elementary school and I also gave some private english lessons to adults in the town who approached me about doing so. The program makes it impossible not to improve your spanish skills, because you are living with families who know very little spanish and you are fully immersed in their culture. I found myself dreaming in spanish after only a few weeks there. I couldn't have better things to say about this program and would highly recommend it to anyone who is really passionate about improving their spanish and having a truly memorable experience.

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Sarina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Experience

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Nepal. My favorite part was the homestay because I loved the relationships I built with my family and becoming a part of their daily routine. I especially enjoyed cooking with my mother. The hardest part of the trip for me was the trek because of the physical and mental challenges it presented me with. I will always remember the experience of meditating with the monks in Boudhanath and feel extremely lucky to have witnessed it.

What would you improve about this program?
Elongate travel time at the end of program, shorten trek or keep the trek the same length but with more time in higher altitude, reaching higher altitude. Increase participation at worksite with more learning about how to use various tools and complete different tasks.
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Jolene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Unforgettable Experience

Making the decision to go to a foreign country for a whole month with a group of people I had never met was not easy. However, looking back on my experience in Costa Rica with Global Routes, it was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. My experience has affected me so profoundly, that I've had trouble describing it in a way that others will understand, but what I can say is that Global Routes provided the perfect environment for personal development. Opportunities to reflect upon my strengths and weaknesses seemed to naturally present themselves throughout the duration of the trip, and by the end I felt that I had a deeper understanding of myself than ever before. I feel as though the group I was a part of could have been anywhere in the world and had just as meaningful of an experience. That being said, Costa Rica was absolutely beautiful and there is no other place I would have rather been, and connections we all made with the locals we encountered were truly precious (and for me personally, completely unexpected). Also, the bond among the members of my group was the strongest I've ever witnessed in such a setting. Working daily on the construction of a communal kitchen for San Antonio, the community we stayed in for the majority of the trip, taught us about the value of working hard and as a team, and also gave us the opportunity to connect with those who welcomed us into their homes. Before arriving in Costa Rica, I expected my role to be one of giving, but there turned out to be just as much receiving on my part. Overall, I found there to be a perfect balance of fun (in the waterfall rappel, daily soccer games with the community, zip lining, surf lessons, white water rafting, and group bonding in general), and growth (in the responsible risks we were encouraged to take, the adjustment required to live in such a new setting, the roles of leadership we frequently took on, and the beautiful cultural exchange that occurred). If I had to pick a favorite part of the trip, it would be the home stay, although the time spent in the rainforest and at the beach was spectacular as well. I would highly recommend going to Costa Rica with Global Routes - I would definitely do it again if given the opportunity!

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Sija
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

It Was Life-Changing

I think the program was set up excellently. We started by staying in a hostel with the group called Clarissa Falls. This allowed everyone to create relationships with one another. Then we traveled to the village of El Progresso and each one of us was paired with another student. The two of us were then each given a host family which made me a lot less nervous since I wouldn't be alone. I know I personally grew extremely close to my host family during the stay and living the way they did changed my views on many things. I believe I have become a wiser, stronger, more independent person from this program. Plus, after the host family stay we were able to experience the more touristy parts of Belize and got to go snorkeling. It was all in all an incredible experience and I highly recommend it.

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habariyako
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing semester with Global Routes

Even though it's been several years since my semester with Global Routes in East Africa, I think about it every day. It was the single most formative experience of my life. I not only learned about language and teaching, but I also learned to assert myself, even when the words didn't come very easily. I learned about finding routine abroad, the power of vulnerability and making connections with people, and the value of education. I discovered a drive to succeed and a love for humanity within myself that wildly influenced my choices in the years to come.

My leaders were fantastic at guiding me through the inherent challenges of living abroad. Although it was an adjustment to live with a host family and teach in a classroom, I was given all the tools I needed to thrive, and overcoming those challenges was one of the best parts of my experience. I continue to look to my leaders as mentors and feel like I can reach out to the greater Global Routes community for support as I continue on my path.

Overall, I was very impressed with Global Routes' pre- and post- program communication as well as with the program itself. I believe that Global Routes offers the greatest and most creditable gap year programs out there!

What would you improve about this program?
No suggestions
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Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nepal

I loved this trip so much. The trek was amazing and beautiful, but what I enjoyed most was interacting with the Nepali people. I loved the home stay and having a wonderful native family to care for me and my home stay partner. It was amazing to totally immerse myself into the culture. I loved eating Dal Baat every night and washing our clothes by hand with a rock. I also loved working with the village children and having them help us when we were building the school. The village was not only beautiful, but the villagers there were so kind and welcoming, even though we could not even communicate in the same language. We helped them to lay bricks, mix cement, and many other important things, like cleaning the bathrooms (which was yucky, but rewarding). Of course, there were some difficulties. I did get homesick a bunch, but our leaders were so kind and understanding that they made me feel as comfortable as I could, away from home that is. There were also leeches on the trek, which was yucky, but definitely helped to build character! I also lost my bag on the plane ride there. But, I got to go shopping in Kathmandu, and had my stuff by the time we started the home stay.

What would you improve about this program?
I honestly can't think of anything right now.
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Amelia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing

I had the time of my life in Ecuador. I talk about my trip every single day and think about it constantly. I still see my friends that I made there and they are some of my closest friends. It was life changing and I will never forget the experience I had during my four weeks. I wish I could go back every day.

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Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience of My Entire Life

To say that I had an absolutely fantastic four weeks in Ecuador this summer would be a huge understatement. When I began looking into community service teen trips for last summer, I kept noticing a pattern in testimonials of fellow teens saying they went on “a trip of a lifetime.” At first I questioned this a lot and wondered would this really be a trip of a lifetime or are they just saying that so I’d sign up and go? After spending almost an entire month in Ecuador, I realized why all of these teens said it really was a trip of a lifetime. Going to Ecuador was the best decision I ever made and the best investment my parents could have ever made. In just the course of four weeks, I came back with lifelong friends, more photos than I’ve ever taken and enough memories to share until I die. I learned deeper respect for those around me, true appreciation for everything I have back at home and to pause and take in all the small moments. My group named ourselves “La Familia” (the family in Spanish) and to tell you the truth, by the end of the trip we all felt like family. While spending almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the same crowd can get exhausting and annoying, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend those days with any other people. We made each other laugh, smile and everyone just felt like themselves. We pushed each other to be adventurous and go outside our comfort zones. This trip taught me so much about myself and the world outside of my New York City bubble and I still talk about my trip to this day. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop talking about it and sharing the memories. If you’re thinking about going on a Global Routes trip, trust me, you’re truly making the best decision yet!

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mtogami
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

LIFE CHANGING!

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.”
– Mark Jenkins

The Global Routes Summer TIP program was by far the best and most inspirational experience in my life thus far. Kenya alone is such an amazing, unique, and welcoming country but partnered with the awesome and helpful staff at Global Routes, it quickly became a life changing experience.

The villages and schools were so welcoming and even if things were difficult at times, I truly feel that these "rough patches" are some of the memories and lessons that I will cherish and carry with me forever. In my home, school and village there is a real and authentic sense of community that is impossible not to fall in love with. I found myself excited to wake up each morning, which almost never happens. The faculty and students were so kind and accepting that it made it extremely difficult to leave.

Our fearless leader Geno guided us but more importantly she allowed us to make our own decisions and learn from our mistakes. She kept us positive and really made me think about the world and the role that I play in it. Geno treated each of us as individuals and equals, which was extremely refreshing and somewhat unexpected. Despite the fact that I haven't seen her or my fellow interns since departing Kenya, I know that if I ever needed anything, whether it be a place to stay or just simple cup of tea, I could definitely count on them to be there for me just as I would be there for them.

I think that Global Routes is an amazing program because it allows every intern to go in to their programs with their own goals. This freedom is what I believe creates an environment for individual growth as well as growth as a group.

I would definitely recommend this program to anyone and everyone. I can't even fully put into words the love and appreciation that I have for all those who made my time in Kenya possible. That is how utterly amazing this program is.

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iiwentoafrica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

incredible experience

Overall I had an incredible time with Global Routes. The villages were both safe and welcoming and both homestay families were chosen with care. During the homestays we lived just like the families meaning that we took bucket showers and ate a lot of ugali. We were prepared for whatever we met next, whether it was speaking Swahili or teaching in the villages. Our leader was fantastic and always ready to listen and help with whatever concern we had. We were constantly moving from place to place so there was never a dull moment. As a group, we spent time reflecting and I really felt like I grew as an individual and plan on doing a lot more travelling. If you want a truly unique African experience and want to know what it really feels like to live in a rural village, this trip is for you.