Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) Reviews

I didn't really know what to expect when going on my GLA trip to the Dominican Republic but I came back much more motivated and excited than when I had left. That's what is special about the GLA program in the DR. You experience social, environmental, and economic problems firsthand and return enlightened with a sense of empowerment of how to address sustainability issues at home.

The lodging is quite authentic, being housed in structures built with traditional materials open to the outside. The pool and the beach are nearby, perfect for a much-needed cool down after a hard day's work. The food, which consists almost entirely of chicken, rice, and beans, along with the island's fresh fruit, is simple yet delicious. There is plenty of fun to be had snorkeling, hiking up Brison, zip-lining into a giant pit of water, and just spending time at the beach. Of course there is still lots of work which I found the most rewarding. We worked on building bottle schools, creating a trail for an eco-tourism venue, digging a huge trench to reroute a river in order to prevent flooding, constructing an aquaponics system, participating in a reforestation project, clearing invasive species, and simply cleaning up the beach. We also visited Dajabon, a town on the Haitian border; we stayed in Jarabocoa, a town in the mountains; we also ventured to the 500-year-old capital, Santo Domingo. All of these excursions were fascinating new experiences.

My favorite part of the trip was time spent in Ascensión, a Haitian refugee village where we worked on building a bottle school. We saw actual poverty firsthand, where the villagers were cut off from outside recourses, live without the basic necessities that citizenship provides, and often eat only once every other day. This is what inspired me to go home and continue to try to make a difference, and helped determine what I want to do with my life. I would recommend going to the DR with GLA to anyone.

The other kids on my trip were all really nice and we grew really close over the 2 weeks. My favorite aspect of the GLA Tanzania experience was the stress the put on culture. We had many speakers or groups come in to tell us about the local culture and it was really interesting. I felt like it made it a learning experience rather then just a summer vacation.

Last summer, I spent 3 weeks in Bali with GLA, and it was absolutely amazing! We got to travel around the entire island, experiencing everyday Balinese life while seeing some of the most amazing attractions the island has to offer! In addition, our time in the classrooms with the children was amazing and I have learned so much from it.

One of the best things about the program is the independence that it gives you. You are able to make your own decisions and experience everything for yourself, and it helped me become more independent and confident in myself.

Not many high schoolers have the chance to have a life changing experience like this. GLA isn't the cliche abroad trip. In its perfect blend of challenge and comfort and beauty, the essence of Ghana through the guidance of GLA was perfect.

GLA Ghana most definitely had to be one of the greatest gifts that I have ever received in my life. I was blessed to have the opportunity to travel to a beautiful country, and be accepted by a beautiful community. It was the best gift to be given the privilege to help, and being trusted enough to teach classes, and make bricks for the school. It was a gift to be surrounded around a group of people that cared about each other, and cared about the world. But most of all, I really think the greatest gift was the connections I have been able to make. I really believe that in Ghana, I learned how to be aware, and how to LIVE WITH PURPOSE. Having the skills to do that in itself is essentially, a gift, because many people do not have the opportunity to do so. I met the most wonderful people: the staff, other GLA students, and the Ghanaian people, and adorable life-changing little kids The whole GLA experience was a gift because I learned, through helping others, how to become an effective leader with vision, how to cultivate my voice, and how to use that voice to inflict change, and empower others to inflict change! I can’t think of a better gift. After my trip, I have been inspired to continue doing work at home and have motivated a lot of people to look beyond the comfort of their homes and even country, and strive to understand the world on a global level!

And on top of that: you're safe the whole time, the food is AWESOME, and you get to go on awe-inspiring trips as you venture through the vibrance of ghana in the good hands of GLA! Would recommend this to anyone!

It's easy to rate a program with all 10s if you enjoyed it but GLA Tanzania deserves it. This program was unlike anything I have ever experienced before in my life. From teaching English to the most incredible, driven 4th graders at the Himo/ Korona school to spending a weekend with the powerful and beautiful Maasai people, there was never a dull moment on my trip. Everyday was a learning experience and has changed my outlook on my life and the international community.

Travellig to the DR with GLA really changed my life and i would not be the same person i am today if i had not attended. It brought perspective to me on how lucky and fortunate our country is. But most of all i learned the really meaning of happiness and how be not having certain advantages and technology, the community was more close knit. I will be returning on my own time and hopefully with GLA. I highly recommened this trip to anyone, but ecspecially to first time travellers. it was not too far, but just enough to feel independent.

This trip is fantastic to say the least. I have gone on two GLA trips, one in the Galapagos and the other in Thailand. My first trip was the Galapagos when I was 14 years old. The trip was amazing. The staff makes sure to keep you active and interested at all times. We had the opportunity to interact with the people in the area, living in a local family's home, playing soccer with a local girls team, and our amazing local staff. Our local staff had a vast knowledge of the area and could answer every single question we had about almost anything. The living situations were a little tight and rustic, yet that is what one should expect in order to get the full experience of the Galapagos. From snorkeling to hiking to soccer to mule riding to deserted beaches the fun was endless. GLA made sure we were always safe and we were able to always call our parents and email them whenever we needed to. I completely recommend this program for anyone who likes nature and isnt scared of a couple of bugs.

Global Leadership Adventures offers a great life changing experience that opens students up to the world outside of their every day life. The Ghanian culture is amazing and the people are so friendly and welcoming! GLA offers The Children of Africa program along with the Building Healthy Villages program where both offer the chance to help the local community in such a big way! The Building Health Villages home base is located at The Meet Me There hostel and it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I would highly encourage you to choose Ghana for your country if you choose to go abroad with GLA!

GLA offers scholarships, financial aid, fundraising tips, and so much more to help you get started with the program. It was very safe, comfortable and the staff are incredible people; this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would suggest Global Leadership Adventures to anyone out there looking for a life changing experience!

I traveled to India in the summer of 2013 for the 3 week long trip provided by Global Leadership Adventures. It was one of the most positive experiences I've ever been on and was incredibly safe from start to finish. I agree completely with the commentary in the other reviews. Having the chance to take on this expedition has not only developed who I am as a person today but the career path I choose to take in the future. It's an eye-opening cultural immersion, and I would not trade those memories for the world.

There are a lot of my favorite memories that I get from this trip. One of them is to teach the local students. I never be a teacher and teach a lot of kids before so it really is my first time and precious moment. Even if I don't get anything in return, it is more than anything to know that the local students learn something from me. I placed my self on their position when I was there; comparing my conditions and their conditions really make me grateful that I can be there to help them. I can go on and on if I talk about the lesson that I get. Every moment from the trip was just precious.

I didn't realize how this experience change me until I went back to United States. I have more confident to express myself, specifically in front of other people.