Global Works

Program Reviews

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Ian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever

I'd like to start by thanking my two counselors for making this camp a unique experience and for always helping me and my friends with any problem we had. Costa Rica is a wonderful country with so many interesting things to do such as rafting and surfing, which made this trip even more amusing.
All the places we went to are beautiful and amazing in so many different aspects and the places where we stayed were enough for the little time we spent there. I enjoyed every single part of the trip because after three weeks we were able to form a wonderful group of friends and we did not even think about using our phones.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be prepared for all the rice and beans.
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Francesco
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica

Going into the trip was very nerve racking until I was introduced to Javier, Rebecca, and Luke. The Costa Rican trip was absolutely mind blowing from the beautiful landscapes and wildlife to the culture of all the places we stayed at. While I was there it gave me a sense of gratitude and a way to see different parts of the world most people will never get too experience. I recommend Global Works too everyone who asks about it and would plan on going on trips until my final years of high school.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to come in with an open and social mind so you can maximize your experience
Pros
  • Food
  • Community
  • Nature
Cons
  • Humidity
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Carlos
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica

It was great trip, great support from counselors and all the activities were fun and engaging. We saw many beautiful animals, and the scenery was always great. It was nice weather, great support, good friendships and an amazing time overall. The white water rafting was supper fun, everything always feels new and engaging but it’s easy to tell just how much work was put into making it such a great experience. There so much to do, so much to see, and I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone thinking about it.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We saw animals next to one of our houses all the time, from raccoons to beautiful macaws.
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Nola
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spain Trip

My trip to Spain through GlobalWorks was my first abroad program and trip to Europe ever. This was one of my favorite experiences. I made so many connections all across the country (and outside the country!) and connected with community members at the places we stayed at. I felt safe and had such a blast. Along with the people, the views were absolutely amazing. Visiting the beaches and castles were some of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. I totally recommend traveling through GlobalWorks if you have the opportunity!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to people joining this program is to connect and talk with community members as much as possible. If you like to, there are many opportunities to play with kids and talk to adults about their experiences. Definitely try to get to know your group members and group leaders because it will make your experience so much better!
Pros
  • Beautiful views
  • Meet new people
  • Try new things
Cons
  • It was really hot but that’s to be expected during summer in Spain
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Aliza
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

This was a great trip! I especially enjoyed making new friends, meeting people living there, and living in different communities. It was very fun and an awesome trip. The counselors were all amazing and super nice and no part of the trip was boring! We ate great food and went to two different communities that focused on immigration and sustainability. We did service at both and lived at both for 3-5 days of the trip which was very interesting and different but super fun! Even when we didn’t have a specific planned activity, when I would usually go on my phone, we instead went outside and hung out with each other!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I went into this experience alone, with no previous friends but made great ones during the trip that I am still in contact with.
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Allisson
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An unforgettable adventure.

Being part of the volunteer program during this year was a very unique and unforgettable experiences . We visited very beautiful places in Costa Rica, doing activities such as rafting, surfing and many more. Every day was an adventure full of new things, moments full of laughter and jokes, very delicious meals.
During the volunteering I met very kind people, who became my friends. I got to know many very beautiful places, full of flora and fauna such as turtles in their habitat.
I would like to invite you to be part of the program and get to know my beautiful country, Costa Rica.

What was your funniest moment?
One of the most fun moments was the games after dinner, in which we had a lot of fun with our jokes.
Pros
  • Unique experience
  • Make new friends
  • Beautiful places and people
Cons
  • minimal contact with my family Y
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Ellie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Trip of My Life

I had the opportunity to go on the Pre-Med trip to Costa Rica last summer and had a great time. The experience taught me about the incredible culture of Costa Rica and key medical skills that I will use later in life.

The trip has many highlights such as white water rafting, ziplining, surfing, and more! You also get to try unique foods and learn about the medical system in Costa Rica.

My favorite part of the whole trip was the in-clinic experience. As someone interested in medicine, this was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the field. I interacted with patients and learned about how to test blood sugar, give shots, and fill prescriptions. Additionally, my Spanish skills improved significantly through daily interactions with patients and healthcare professionals. You even get 45 hours of service just by learning!

Overall, this trip to beautiful Costa Rica was an incredible experience. It allowed me to learn more, gain practical experience, and make memories. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in pursuing a career in medicine or simply experiencing the beauty of Costa Rica.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program is to try everything. You are going to get many opportunities to do things that you might be scared of or something that you might not want to do, but remember that you are safe and that the leaders have your back. The leaders are incredible and are here for you during the entirety of the experience.
Pros
  • Hands on medical experiance
  • Experience unique activities such as white water rafting, ziplining, surfing, and more!
  • Gain Spanish speaking experience and knowlage about a new country
Cons
  • Difficult to have a satisfying and protein full meal for vegetarians
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Kendon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

My 16 year old daughter just returned from a week in Puerto Rico doing construction work. This was her first trip with Global Works. She had an absolutely awesome time. She immediately bonded with a girl from New York. Her favorite part was the actual construction work. They built a concrete roof for a family of 5 whose house was damaged 3 years ago. The planning and communication from Global Works was excellent. When my daughter’s return flight was delayed, Global Works immediately reached out and said she would be taken care of if she had to spend another night in Puerto Rico. On the drive home from the airport, my daughter was on the Global Works website looking for her next trip.

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Doug
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome trip!

Maren had a great time. She made a lot of new friends and visited incredible places throughout the country. She enjoyed all of the adventures including surfing, ziplining and rafting. She also enjoyed the community service, including visiting kids at their schools! There was a very good variety of food that she liked. She also enjoyed exploring all of the cities where the group visited. She also enjoyed seeing all of the wildlife including the monkeys. Maren would highly recommend this program to anyone!

Pros
  • The variety of cool adventure activities like rafting, surfing and zip-lining
  • All of the people
  • She enjoyed staying in many different places
Cons
  • She didn't like the super long drives
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Alice
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Oceanic Tapestry of Community and Wonder

Choosing Fiji Global Works Summer Service Adventure for my next adventure, following a memorable trip to Peru the year before, turned out to be an inspired decision. Seeking fun experiences and connections with new people, this journey unfolded into a brick tapestry of adventure and personal growth.

The group dynamics were a constant source of joy, transforming each day into a rewarding and enriching experience. The Global Works Leaders ensured our safety while encouraging us to embrace the unfamiliarity of this new setting.

Fiji’s diverse landscapes, from lush hikes to the clear oceans, provided the perfect canvas for unforgettable moments. Expressing gratitude for the paradise we found ourselves in báncame a constant theme, highlighting the beauty of the Fijian environment and the warmth of its people.

Interacting with the Fijians was a highlight of the trip, with their unparalleled generosity and love leaving a lasting impression. The infectious joy of the island's children added authenticity to the experience, creating connections that transcended the typical tourist-host relationship.

Snorkeling in the ocean became a personal highlight, offering a glimpse into the underwater world. The vibrant marine life and the sheer beauty of the ocean added a sense of wonder to the journey. The exploration of Barefoot Manta and the immersive experience at Namara Village were particularly enjoyable, providing unique insights into the local way of life.

The trip's highlights were as diverse as the landscapes, including zip-lining, exploring local markets, sharing meals with Fijian elders, and contributing to the local school. Each activity contributed to a rich tapestry of memories and lasting bonds.

In closing, my love for this trip. I genuinely hope others have the opportunity to weave their own tapestry of adventure and community with Fiji Global Works. For prospective travelers, embrace the discomfort at times, fearlessly try new things, and hold onto every moment. ZFiji Global Works has curated an experience that transcends expectations and leaves a lasting imprint on the heart.

What was your funniest moment?
When all of us girls in the group dressed the two boys (Oliver and Casey) up in dresses and did their makeup and both of them went to dinner at the lodge we were staying at when they were all glamorous.
Pros
  • Meeting new friends in your program
  • Hikes, snorkeling, scuba diving, cooking, good food, cava
  • The Fijians are welcoming
Cons
  • Cold showers
  • Coral cuts