Program Reviews

I absolutely loved doing the Medicare and Healthcare Discovery program through GLA. The entire experience is one I will never forget for the rest of my life. I chose this specific program because I am interested in healthcare as a future career option. One of my favorite memories to look back on from this trip was when we spent two days in the Nursing Home and got to know a few of the patients there. I spent a half hour talking to an old man one of those days, and got to know his life story, and this experience stayed with me fondly. The culture that I experienced within the two weeks was incredible as well. From the food, to learning about Costa Rican slang, and even interacting with the little children and people we helped was an amazing experience. Another part of the trip that I loved was getting to meet new people. I still keep in contact almost every day with some of the people that I met, and programs like this one where interaction with others on the trip with you really fostered the environment for making new friends. Although they took phones most of the day, I thought it was nice to get a break and get a chance to talk to new people. Another thing I was nervous about coming onto this trip was the food. As someone with a severe gluten allergy, I wasn't sure if I would be able to be given three meals a day safely. However, I was pleasantly surprised when separate food was set aside for me at every meal, and I was always taken into consideration at any meal or food stop, which was very nice.

Before my trip I was nervous, but by the first full day, I was so glad I went! My group connected quickly, and we all built our teamwork skills early on when we worked at Rancho Primicias and helped clear land for Giant Tortoises. We painted a mural at a school, which turned into a bit of a paint war, learned salsa from some very patient and kind professionals (we then proceeded to break out into salsa dancing every spare minute we got), and snorkeled with sea lions! Our guide Wilson taught us to dive for sand dollars and toss them to the sea lions, who would then play with them and balance them on their noses! In the evenings we did leadership activities, and had a mock debate about a real issue in the islands, and often broke into smaller groups to have meaningful discussions led by our mentors. The downsides for me were that I felt some social exhaustion from being around so many people all day every day, doing activities without many breaks, and I didn't like a lot of the food. There's only one option, so if you don't like it, that's it. I brought some snacks from home, so that helped, and the mentors did a check-in after the first week where we could put in any requests we had. However, what they can do is limited. Be ready to try lots of new foods and eat them even if you don't like them. Despite and also because of these issues, I feel that I grew as a person, a friend, and a leader. Several months later I am still in touch with my roommates from the trip, and will always remember the meaningful lessons from my mentors, who were incredibly supportive and welcoming.

I made a lot of friends that I’m still in contact with and found out about different cultures throughout those friends. I loved the Galapagos and it’s surroundings it was a wonderful destination. The staff and the locals we were in contact with were super nice and understanding. I really felt at ease even with my language barrier and all the staff and students were super supportive. The food was really nice and I felt safe throughout the whole travel. I felt secured because everything was planes in advance a we had access to the itinerary so we knew what to expect. I a 100% recommend travelling with GLA. It’s a must experience to do at least once.

I had the best time on this trip. I learned so many things not just about global health but about independence and leadership. From the moment everyone started talking in the airport before our connecting flight to the Dominican i knew that we were going to have a great time. Our mentors did a great job with getting to know everybody and coming up with activities for everyone to do. Even though we didn’t have any ac and had misquote nets over our beds i wouldn’t have changed anything about the trip. There is very little time spent without something to do, you are do anything from medical brigades, to concreting a house, to go on an excursion. Every trip is very different but GLA does an amazing job and i am so glad i had the opportunity to do something this amazing.

Our trip to Spain was an absolutely unforgettable adventure! Traveling with a group of friends, we delved into the vibrant culture of Barcelona, where we were amazed by the stunning architecture of the Sagrada Familia and explored the bustling markets and lively streets. Madrid’s historic sites, such as the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, left us in awe. We enjoyed every aspect of the trip, from tasting delicious local dishes like tapas and churros to experiencing the excitement of a traditional flamenco show. Interactive museum tours, exploring beautiful parks, and participating in local festivals kept us engaged and entertained throughout. The trip was exceptionally well-organized, ensuring that every day was packed with exciting and enriching experiences. Each new adventure, from discovering hidden gems to enjoying spontaneous moments with friends, made this journey truly memorable. The blend of historical wonder, cultural immersion, and sheer fun made it a fantastic experience for all of us kids, and we returned home with stories and memories that will last a lifetime.

We researched so many programs and spoke to other parents about finding a program that was right for our teenage daughter. We are thrilled to have found GLA. From the moment we met with a GLA advisor, we felt at ease. They were always ready to answer questions and they were very organized with all the information that we needed. Sending your child across the world and traveling internationally is scary but trust in the process. It helps them mature and be independent. My daughter came home with an experience of a lifetime and we only wish we had sent her sooner. Highly recommend!

This service expedition was a great experience in many ways -
I learned a lot about communities in developing countries and was enlightened to the way things work in those areas, of which I'm grateful for. Working there and listening to my mentors invigorated a new passion for learning I never had before, leading me into the school year with a positive attitude. I thought my mentors were amazing and supportive and great role models, that I'll likely never forget.
On top of that the program itself was an amazing experience. From seeing macchu picchu to walking around Cuzco, to hiking the Lares trek, every day offered a sometimes challenging, but always rewarding experience. The service was fun too, with the different activities we did. Sometimes simple things like cutting grass can be more fun than you think and entertain you for hours on end!
If there was anything I had to criticize about the program, it would probably be the social situation and participants' attitude towards service. We were doing a good deed yet so many complained about the program they literally signed up for- I know management likely can't do too much about this, but I think hammering in the gratefulness aspect would prove useful to make the children understand what they have and the opportunity they GET to have here.

My son had a fantastic time on his Costa Rica trip with GLA. From the moment we booked the trip, they sent us a ton of information and helped us get prepared for his trip. He ended up with a flight delay that made him miss the first day but GLA was great about helping arrange a transfer the following day. My son loved meeting all of the people on the trip. I was a little concerned about there being 50 students but it worked out well. He enjoyed the service experiences as well as the other organized activities. He loved it so much, he wants to do it again!

GLA's Costa Rica beachside experience was an incredible opportunity for my daughter. We hesitated sending her to a different country (safety, logistics, etc), but it proved to be everything we (and she!) hoped and more. She met so many new friends from other places, she experienced a different culture and all it had to offer (people, food, language, entertainment), she detached from electronics (huge plus for us, and she surprisingly loved it too), and most of all she was able to give back to the community through the service projects. She still calls it the best experience of her life and we couldn't be more pleased with how it was run (attentive, friendly staff; very organized itinerary; safe accommodations, etc). 100% recommend!

I CANNOT talk about this experience enough! I heard about GLA from a friend of a friend who went on a trip a year before me and absolutely loved it. I was looking for something service based that involved some marine bio/ policy/ leadership and gla fit my needs exactly! I’ve gone on some trips before but I had yet to experience true friendships before this trip! I’ve never felt so close to a group of people in my whole life, which was so wholesome to experience. The locals were so kind and the views were impeccable!