Program Reviews

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!

My 15-year-old daughter embarked on a 2-week trip to Belize alone (as in traveling without friends or family) and returned having gained wonderful friends all across the continent, a sense of responsibility for our environment, and a variety of new information about various animals (her favorites being the manatee and tapir, I think, while she wasn’t a huge fan of the extremely loud howler monkeys :)). The teens spent so much time on boats, she is now convinced that she is destined for the sea. How could she not be? Who wouldn’t love snorkeling with fish, sharks, manatees; learning about local fishing communities; planting mangroves; tubing down rivers; and swimming in turquoise waters with friends? According to her it wasn’t just fun and games, though. The kids sat through several informative presentations on animals and plants, followed by hands-on service projects, like beach clean-ups, volunteering at a local school, assisting at the local zoo (my kid was tasked with painting a fence), seeding, bird netting, collecting ocean grass for manatee feedings, etc. Learning about the local culture by making tamales, visiting Mayan ruins, and playing local games was just icing on the cake! And she is very clear about this program being about seeing the bigger picture, wanting to make a change, and living life with an eye on service to the world. The accommodations were anything but fancy, the boats were not luxurious, and the group spent much of their time getting up very early and moving all day; "It was an adventure, not a vacation", she says and she loved every minute of it!
Thanks @glateens for making this a memorable experience!

Our experience with Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) was a 10 out 10. We were nervous to send our 16 yr old daughter across the world on her own for the very first time, but the GLA team was so well prepared, the programs so thoroughly planned and their excellent communication, made the process easy to trust. The Thailand Elephant Initiative was a perfect balance between educational activities, cultural immersion, and community service.
Our daughter had an incredible experience – she loved her time teaching 5th graders English, working with elephants and getting the chance to learn more about how to care for and feed them. She came home with some new friends, great memories, and plans to meet up with them for another program next summer.
What an amazing opportunity for teens! We highly recommend GLA to other families seeking meaningful and impactful travel experiences for their children.

Our experience with Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) has been outstanding. From the very beginning, the entire process was well-organized and thorough. The GLA team provided excellent communication, ensuring we were well-informed and prepared every step of the way.

My daughter recently participated in the GLA program in Ghana, and it was an incredible experience for her. The program was meticulously planned, with a perfect balance of educational activities, cultural immersion, and community service. She felt safe, supported, and inspired throughout her journey.

The dedication and professionalism of the GLA team made this experience truly memorable for my daughter. We are grateful for the opportunity and highly recommend GLA to other families seeking meaningful and impactful travel experiences for their children.

In the summer of 2023, I went on a two-week trip to Peru with 9 other students: all 15-17 year olds. And while it may sound cliché, this trip was life-changing. We spent time in pop-up clinics around Cusco, where residents would come to get medicine and treatment from the doctors there. We spent five days at these clinics, and I wish we had done more over those 14 days! It was such an eye-opening experience that has completely changed my career path to be medical. We also visited Machu Picchu (literally the coolest thing I have ever seen), Rainbow Mountain (an hour-long hike to 17,000 ft above sea level), and whitewater rafting. On top of that, I met some of my favorite people ever; we all became great friends instantly. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking at a medical career, wanting to make a difference in another community, or just wanting to see another country with friends!