Puerto Rico - Custom Group Travel & Volunteering

It’s safe to say that this trip was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I had no clue what to expect when I first arrived. I could tell each and every one of us was excited and nervous, which made it so easy to meet each other and form friendships. Our trip leaders were incredible; helping us adjust, leading us through the day, and always being there if we had questions or needed help. I was lucky to go on a trip with such an amazing group of kids. I met people from all around who shared my interests and were open-minded to getting to know everyone and creating long-lasting relationships. The service was an eye-opening experience. I was touched by the sense of community and love the people who I met valued so much. It was clear how hard they worked, not only to rebuild their own houses but others as well. We enjoyed working as one big group. There was always something to do and help out with, and it felt good to know that the people we worked with truly appreciated our help. The service was an integral and unforgettable part of the trip, but so were the other countless activities and late nights we spent together. Kayaking in the bioluminescent bay was so fun, and an amazing way to end our trip. Our trips to the beaches every day led to a lot of laughs and memories. The nights we spent in the Big Yellow House are something that I will always remember! We had a bake-off, played countless games, volleyball, and lounged around listening to music. You could always find someone to talk to and something to do. We took a dance class, had a karaoke night, and spent one night learning about the culture of Puerto Rico. My trip was so enriching and fun, and I am so grateful I got to experience it with incredible people. I would definitely recommend this trip, or any trip Global Works offers, to anyone who wants to meet new people, learn about cultures, and spend an amazing time somewhere new!

The week in Puerto Rico I experienced through Global Works was the best week and the best experience of my life. Going to a foreign country with people I didn't know and without my cellphone was a little bit intimidating to me, but the trip wouldn't have been nearly as memorable if I stayed in my comfort zone. After the first day, I felt at home. The counselors were amazing, they made everyone feel super comfortable and were so easy to hang out and talk with. I didn't know anyone going into the trip, but by the last day, it was like we had known each other all of our lives. We still talk and have a group chat months after the trip, and the fact that we all became such great friends in such a short amount of time just shows how close we all became on the trip. Although the hurricane really hurt Puerto Rico, one thing that never wavered was the pride Puerto Ricans had for their country. Everyone we met accepted us and were so happy to be able to share their country with us. We were able to help the house we were working on so much throughout the week and seeing the joy on Angel and Maria's faces, the owners of the house, made working so enjoyable as we were all so determined and happy to help them. After a hard day at work, we went back to the house we were staying at and went to the beach for a couple of hours and all ate dinner and played volleyball together. This sense of community is something that you can't fake, and I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to do something truly meaningful with new people from all over the country.

It's hard to put into words the fantastic experience I had during this trip. It was indeed one of the best weeks I ever had. I was a little bit nervous about going on this trip. I had been on missions trips before, but they were never outside the states. I was so glad to have had the people I was with during the week because it made the experience so much better. By the end, we became like one big family. Even though many live on the other side of the country, I still talk and text them every day. Not only were the people so much fun to hang out, but the work that we did for the community felt so rewarding. We filled a floor and a wall full of cement, and even though it was hard work, it was so worth it. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who loves to do hard work and love to meet people from all across the country.

My school worked with Global Works to offer a summer service trip to Puerto Rico. The global works leaders, Eric and Blair, were absolutely amazing and during the whole trip, it was always very clear that everything had been well organized and was under control. The Villa del Ria community members that we worked with were so warm and welcoming, making our service work of building houses in their community feel even more rewarding. The trip had a good balance of intense work days to relaxing "touristy" days, giving the trip an "efficient" yet very pleasant feel. This trip showed us all how welcoming Puerto Ricans are and also how the island is still struggling to rebuild after Hurricane Maria. Overall, I could not have been happier with this service trip offered through Global Works.