Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) Reviews

I participated in the GLA beachside service adventure program in Costa Rica this summer. To say the least, this was one of the most impactful experiences I have ever taken part in and I am so grateful I was able to take part in this trip. The way that GLA runs their programs gives students a perfect chance to learn about the local culture while connecting them with impactful service opportunities. I took part in working with GEA a nonprofit fighting to protect the environment and as a result I have become so passionate about protecting our natural world.

I recommend traveling to Thailand through GLA. It was very well planned and I enjoyed all the activities with the wonderful people! The markets and temples were so intriguing. I liked learning about the food, culture, and Buddhism. Seeing the elephants up close was an awe-inspiring experience. The cooking class was a highlight of my trip! I loved meeting students from other countries—Thai students and other GLA kids. Everyone was really fond of traveling and learning more about the world. The food was delicious and the drinks too. We had a lot of fun during the van rides and hanging out in the evenings. I liked seeing the waterfalls and practicing leadership by teaching in local schools.

Going to the Dominican was my second GLA trip and one of my favorite trips I’ve ever done. While I’m not pursuing them in a career or in university, I’m passionate about medical care and Latin American studies. It was extremely helpful to immerse myself in the culture and service work, and I’d recommend a program like this to high school and upcoming university students to explore study and job possibilities, or just expand their understanding of their options. I have awesome memories of the trip and have amazing new friends. I’m so glad to have met some locals, mentors, and students who will either always be on my mind or who I will never stop reaching out to. I have a feeling I will have an amazing network of future nurses, doctors, nomads and leaders of world change from the people I met. I will always value the fun memories, experience, perspective, challenges, and mostly the friends I gained from this experience. I would absolutely recommend it.

My summer trip to Peru was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. For two weeks, I was immersed in a culture rich with history, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and engaged in work that gave me a deeper understanding of both healthcare and humanity. We stayed primarily in Cusco. While the trip included sightseeing and adventure, the most meaningful part of the experience came from the days we spent setting up mobile health clinics in rural areas of Peru.
Over three days, our group organized and ran these clinics, bringing basic healthcare services to communities that often lacked easy access to them. Each clinic had several stations: triage, pharmacy, dental, toothbrushing, and general diagnosis. I rotated between these areas, learning something new at every stop. In triage, I helped record basic patient information and take vital signs. In pharmacy, I assisted in preparing medication under supervision, making sure patients received what they needed and understood how to use it. One of my favorite roles was in the toothbrushing station, where I helped teach children how to properly care for their teeth. Their excitement and curiosity made the language barrier fade away, and it was clear that kindness and patience could communicate more than words.

The most eye-opening experience came in the general diagnosis room. I shadowed a local doctor who allowed me to observe patient consultations, write down prescriptions, and ask questions. She explained each case carefully, pointing out the challenges of diagnosing and treating patients in low-resource areas. I remember one of the doctors explaining how the limited diet in some of these rural areas made carbs, especially potatoes the only option. This led to heart issues, due to clogged arteries. I began to understand the broader impact of limited medical access, not just in terms of health but also in how it affected families, education, and opportunity. The experience deepened my appreciation for global healthcare work and made me realize how much difference small acts of service can make.

Outside the clinics, our group spent time exploring Peru’s natural and cultural beauty. We took a two-day trip to Machu Picchu, a place that felt almost unreal. The ancient ruins, surrounded by clouds and mountains, gave me a new perspective on human history and resilience. We also participated in local activities, music lessons, cooking traditional Peruvian dishes, white-water rafting, ziplining, and visiting Cusco’s markets. These moments helped me connect more deeply with the culture and the people, making the trip not only educational but also incredibly fun.

What made this experience truly unique was how it blended service, adventure, and learning into one unforgettable journey. I was not just a tourist, I was part of something larger, a collaboration between volunteers and local professionals to bring care and hope to those who needed it most. I came home with more than memories of beautiful places, I came back with a deeper understanding of empathy, cultural exchange, and the power of helping others. My trip to Peru reminded me that meaningful experiences often come from stepping outside your comfort zone and opening yourself to the world.

Our son truly had the experience of a lifetime. The staff were super helpful leading up to the program and easy to get into contact with. The mix of service, learning, conservation and fun in this program gave our son the opportunity to learn and grow. He loved learning about a new culture and has a newfound love of travel. Each day was planned to the fullest and they got to experience the tourist attractions along with the program. He enjoyed every minute and plans to attend another GLA program next summer!

Our daughter enjoyed a 10-day trip with GLA to Costa Rica, and it was both an enriching and very enjoyable time. She experienced Costa Rican culture while learning about the beautiful country. She also made new friends from around the world. And she did something purposeful in painting and cleaning up the local beaches. Lastly, she learned how to travel abroad on her own, navigating customs and immigration as a young teenager. It was a confidence-building educational adventure that she'll remember for a lifetime.

Going to Ghana really was one of the best experiences I've had. We had the chance to do so many different things -- from teaching in schools and helping with construction to build new classrooms to exploring the culture and connecting with local, underprivileged children.

In my opinion, the most meaningful part of the trip were the times spent with the children. Whether we were teaching them in the classroom or playing games with them at the park, spending time with them was the best. The construction work was tiring, but very rewarding as we looked at the before and after pictures. In our free time, we took a scenic hike to a waterfall and visited a bead factory where we made our own beads. We also visited a local market, observed local dances, and choreographed our own dance to perform to the local children.

The trip wouldn't have run so smoothly without the wonderful GLA mentors, local director and international director. The local staff were so hospitable and friendly, and the international staff were approachable, patient and very helpful no matter the situation. I would recommend this trip to anybody who wants to learn about a new culture, meet lots of new people and spend lots of time with children.

In 2023 I went on the GLA program: Guatemala: Global Health in the Land of the Maya. What drew me to this trip was the service work. I had previously been set on being a doctor but was scared that it was solely the idea that drew me to it, not taking vitals, interacting with patients, etc. I decided that this trip would help me to determine if this was truly something that I wanted to do. Our first day of service work was chaotic. We were in charge of facilitating a free health clinic in a rural indigenous community, asking for medical history, taking vitals, and escorting people to various stations. While it was chaotic, it was also incredibly fulfilling. It felt like I was making a positive impact on the world in a way I never had. I talked and played with so many different people that I otherwise would never have met. This service is unlike any I’ve heard of, and it ultimately led me to decide that medicine was something I wanted to pursue. Additionally, this program is not all about service work. While in Guatemala I went whitewater rafting, visited a coffee plantation, and participated in a traditional Mayan wedding ceremony all while learning CPR, and what practicing medicine is like in a different country. The final factor that made this an A+ experience was the people. The staff was caring and attentive, making sure that everyone had everything they needed and was doing okay. The friends I made on this trip were all adventurous and unique, and by the end of the trip, some bonds would last a lifetime. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone looking for an incredible experience capable of opening their eyes to adventure, perspective, and purpose—just be ready to eat a lot of black beans.

My name is Shamus Davenport and I am a senior in high school currently. Every single high school summer I have participated in a GLA program. I went on this program, the Dominican Republic: Island Service Adventure during this last Summer from July 10 through July 19. Out of this one and the two other programs I have participated in, this one was definitely my favorite. Not only was this my favorite GLA program, but it was my favorite trip in general. Of course, it’s hard to have a bad time in a place as beautiful as the Dominican Republic, but there is something very special in how GLA forms the overall experience in any trip they put on. There was not a day, an hour, a minute, or a second where I wasn’t thoroughly having fun interacting with locals, my peers, and the environment around me while learning all along the way. Every GLA experience for me is absolutely life changing. I grow my values and widen my perspective. This one was especially life changing for me. I learned all about the local communities and environment and how the two interact with each other on a day-to-day basis. Whether it was through our service or any of the many adventures we went on, there were learning opportunities the entire time. I don't want to spoil all the adventures, but I’ll give you a short overview (as short as I can make it with soo many standout experiences and adventures.) We started off in Santo Domingo, and after a culturally immersive day and night, we started our journey to our home base in Bayahibe. We made a stop in the amazing national park called Tres Ojos. One thing I will say, the food is absolutely wonderful. At home base over the week there was a balanced mix of local cuisines of fresh fruits, rich cakes, and avocados. Then, there were dishes we were more accustomed to for a taste of home and for picky eaters. Then, the next two days had a lot to offer, but we were primarily doing our service which was trail maintenance in Padre Nuestro which is in another amazing national park called Cotubanamá. Following those days of adventure in service, we went to a kids camp and spent the day playing, interacting, and teaching local children. The next day was an adventure day going to a lagoon as well as the beach close to our home base. Following this, the next two days consisted of an eye-opening spectacularly beautiful trip to Saona Island off the coast of the DR. Then our final day was filled with our return to the city of Santo Domingo including a tour teaching us the extensive history of the country's capital. Overall, my favorite part about this experience was the people. The numerous locals we got to know loved showing us the very connected culture of giving and community the Dominican Republic has to offer to all of my peers. A similarity between all of the programs I have been on are the inspiring counselors. Every single one of them I got to know and respect. Just like all of the locals, the counselors bring a unique perspective that everyone enjoys and learns so much from. Then, of course, there are my fellow “campers.” This group was small with eight other people, and I came into the trip a little disappointed because I love connecting with all of the cool kids this organization attracts, but I was very wrong. The small group size allowed everyone to connect and get so close to each other. It’s hard to pick a favorite thing or aspect of any of these programs, but this time the people around me might take the cake. I still talk to both my counselors and friends. I will fully vouch that lifelong connections are made through this experience

If you like to travel like I do, your heart will skip a beat as you look down the list of all the different countries GLA offers for teens. Dominican Republic, Bali, Thailand, Galapagos Islands, Peru, and the list goes on. Then I started reading about the different programs and I slowly filtered down to where I wanted to go and what I wanted to learn about. After you sign up for your program and country, you’ll get a package in the mail. In my package last year I received a T-shirt with a map of the world and the words “Be the Change” on it. I read and reread those words and I wondered how I would change or make a change. I wrote ‘Be the Change’ on the first page of the journal, which was also included in the package.

When I returned home after my 3 weeks of medical internship in Thailand I picked up my journal which was now slightly dirty with pages full of memories and once again saw those 3 words on the first page. I read those words with different eyes now. I had a better understanding of what it meant and why it was on the GLA t-shirt. It was then I realized there was no question mark at the end because it wasn’t a question, but a reminder. A reminder to stretch your limits, doubts, and fears and to know that the change will not be the same for everyone. For me, I changed. When I first signed up for the GLA program, I was worried about going on an international trip without my family (a first for me) and with people I never met before to a place far away that I had never been to. Lots of doubt, lots of questions, and a bit of fear were a constant reminder for me that I might have made a bad decision. Then after the trip you glow with pride as you look back on your accomplishments and experiences and you feel the change.

For instance, as a part of our internship, we toured multiple hospitals and shadowed doctors from all the different departments. During my first week of shadowing and 5 departments in, I found myself being able to narrow my interests. I found I was more interested in orthopedics and the ER rather than pediatrics and OB-GYN which was a big step for me. I remember always watching shows about the ER and I felt like it was the right place for me when I was able to experience it in person. We saw patients go in with road rashes and broken ankles and patients come out with bandages and casts. I loved seeing people get the help they needed which is why I felt like the ER was a good fit and a possibility for my future career. What you take away from the program is different for each person. For some it might mean discovering a passion for learning a new language, cooking using a new ingredient, or for travel. Others might find their true calling to help people and experience a different culture unlike their own. By joining GLA, change will happen.

How YOU will ‘Be the Change’ is in your hands.