Program Reviews

My trip to the Dominican Republic was an amazing experience. I feel as if this trip had so many different things to offer. From unique learning experiences to fun adventure activities and even great lodging. I went on this trip with little background knowledge of ocean conservation. I went in with an open mind. The service that we did was centered around not only learning about the ocean but also helping the community support conservation. The biggest thing I took away from this learning was that by learning more about how to take care of our coral reefs, I realized how easy it is to make small changes. In my day-to-day life, I can do small things that add up to make a significant impact on keeping our corals and ocean animals healthy. When we weren't doing service, we spent time exploring all that the Dominican Republic had to offer. As I have gone on two GLA trips based on my experience, the lodging for this trip was very comfortable. At the heart of all GLA trips were the people I met, who greatly impacted my experience. Whether that was people in the community or other students on the trip, they all helped to broaden my perspective of the world around me.

My experience on my GLA program was completely life-changing. I traveled to Costa Rica alone, so I went into it very nervous about being away from home and whether the people would be inviting or not, but all of my nervousness went away when I started my program. I made lasting connections with many of my companions on this trip, and I made so many memories that will last a lifetime! The nighttime turtle walks were such an amazing experience, because on our third night walk, our group found a leatherback sea turtle. I was completely in awe when we discovered it, and it is something I may never would have experienced if not for this program. Also, as someone who is going into the environmental field, the experience that I had on this trip has inspired me more than any other experience in my life to pursue what I am passionate about.
The only downside to my experience is that my group and I were not prepared for their being no airconditioning in the house we stayed at, no WiFi, and only around two hours of electricity each day. I feel like it is not highlighted enough in the program description, for my group and I would have packed our attire differently if we had known. But overall, I would highly recommend this program to everyone!

Over the summer of 2023, i had an amazing opportunity to go to bali. i was so scared at first, but everyone there was amazing espically the leaders. I had never experienced a differnt culture until then, and let me tell you it was a culture shock. I tried the differnt food, differnt religion they practice, differnt way they eat, differnt way they talk and interact. this was so interesting to me. including a culture shock we also had a lot ranging from herbal walks to going to the beaches there.

This was my first time going on a trip with other students and with staff and counselors. I was a bit nervous but when I saw the staff at the airport I felt an immediate sense of relief because I knew I was going to be comfortable staying with them for the entirety of my two week trip. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the foods and drinks that I ate and the place I stayed at was beautiful. The activities that we did as a group made us think about our purpose, how we could get the most out of the experience, and was a great way to get to know everyone. Overall, the trip helped me grow as a person, made me understand the importance of community services, and I learned a lot about Costa Rica’s culture.

I have been on 2 GLA trips, and last summer I went to Belize. I had an amazing time there and the experience was unforgettable. We stayed in the town of Sarteneja, a fishing village. Staying there we developed an awareness of the world around us and knowledge of the sustainable fishing going on there. As a group we got to connect and support the community, we made jewelry with Lionfish fins which are invasive, and got several presentations about the diversity of the animals. While learning was exciting we also got to go on excursions, such as ziplining and cave tubing. My favorite part was when we got to stay on an island for a night called Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, it was such a unique experience to be right on the ocean. Later in the day, we got to snorkel and we ended up seeing a Nurse shark. Overall my program was life-changing and definitely opened my eyes up to the world around me. Would totally recommend it!

During the summer of 2023, I attended my second GLA program. I went to Ghana where for two weeks, I worked in a school with a group of other like minded youth from around the United States. We worked in a classroom teaching and we helped to build a floor in a building that was to become an office. I loved my experience. It went above and beyond my expectations. My dream is to lead a life of service working in the non-profit sector with feet on the ground. Ghana was a great way to start this. I loved working with the children and other kids on the program and the GLA staff was amazing. This program helped define what I want to do with my life, and, as cliche as it sounds, was truly the experience of a lifetime. The service was fun and rewarding and we were truly immersed in the culture, something I believe that is uniquely GLA. We were able to meet people who hold leadership positions in the village and get hands on cultural activities such as Batik cloth making and bead making. GLA is one of the best experiences I have ever had and I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to go on this trip, to do so.

My son attended the Sea Turtle Initiative. It was the first time he had been away completely on his own and it was a wonderful, valuable experience. He learned he can travel on his own, cope in a country where he does not speak the first language, make new friends and his self confidence soared. It's a really nice combination of volunteer work which is great for resume/university application and fun activities. Everything is so well organized, truly felt comfortable with GLA as an organizer. Even called to Costa Rica once and spoke to his team leader as we noticed he had forgotten his cellphone charger and he was flying home by himself.

Our son spent his 16th birthday with GLA! I was nervous to send him out of the country on his own, but confident that it would be a great experience. He returned and it was better than we even expected!

We received a blog about every other day with lots of photos and an update - the coolest photo was of our son with a homemade birthday cake they had made for him, we never even mentioned his birthday! It was nice to see the photos and what they were up to.

When he returned he was smelly, dirty and happy, just as a 16 year old boy should be! He gained SO MUCH confidence during his stay in Costa Rica. He made lots of new friends and they still have a group text chat going 6 months later. He loved where they stayed at the Eco Lodge with Jason, who he still talks about all the time, and hopes to go back for a family vacation to see Jason again, and learn more about the community.

I look forward to sending him on another trip this coming summer, and his younger sister will follow in his footsteps at GLA.

I am VERY happy with the support from GLA!

Had a great time meeting new people trying out new food and helping out the locals. Would definitely recommend it to anyone trying to go somewhere new. The living quarters are good and it gives you time to interact with the other people living in their with you and become friends. The counselors are very friendly and helpful. The food is also very good with a variety of different meals they offer and the cheap prices for their food compared to American food. The locals love new people and show you all the new things you couldn’t see normally.

First and foremost, the program is great enough that I’m sending my second child to attend a Costa Rica program in 2024. I would caution that you REALLY consider the program you are choosing. I know despite any cons my son experienced, he came back a more confident young man, which was beautiful. He had some extraordinary leaders that he will remember the rest of his life. He saw some pretty cool things. And the work service was Real Work- awesome! Having said that, my son experienced some difficulties… I wish I would have chosen a program with him instead of for him. The word adventure possibly attracts some rambunctious teens, I’m not sure.. but he had a good handful of obnoxious, questionable character teens in his group. It would have been an extraordinary experience perhaps in a different program. But life is like that, you never know… would I choose GLA for my son again- YES! And I’ve recommended it to many families! But if I could go back in time, I DEFINITELY would’ve included my son in the choice and chose another GLA program.