Program Reviews

Traveling to Juan Dolió was an experience that I will never forget. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I thank my summer program for giving me this opportunity. I was able to be immersed in the Dominican culture and learn about their life style here. I learned about the unfair treatment that many workers go through just to provide for their family. I was able to make a change and help build community homes and bathrooms for the local communities. It was such an amazing experience and where I was able to see my privilege compared to how the children over there are living. I would highly recommend going on one of these trips so that you are able to experience something wonderful as I did.

I had an amazing time during my trip to Panama! It was a bit nerve-racking at first, considering it was a new experience and many of us were stepping outside of our comfort zone. But once we got into the flow of things I had an absolute blast and I got to meet so many cool people.

During the course of our 2-week trip we went on so many adventures and learned so much about Panamanian culture. We did everything from museums to goat farms. Luckily, we went at the perfect time and were even able to catch street parades celebrating Viva Santa Librada right outside our hotel!

On top of all of our great adventures we got to practice our leadership skills as ‘lider del dia’ which translates to leader of the day. As leader of the day, you got to step up and take care of your group, which made us feel more like a family rather than a bunch of students. As we all know, families face a bit of hardships. Our hardships were particularly with our hotel… Some students dealt with mold in the shower and my personal experience was both mold and bed bugs. I wish our country managers were a bit more helpful when handling the situation. I know we felt as if our issue was sorta swept under the rug but that's not everybody's experience.

With that being said, I would definitely recommend bringing shower sandals, an extra set of pajamas, bug spray, and your own little travel blanket. I noticed a lot of students also brought portable fans, so I’d suggest investing in one of those too if you tend to run a bit hot along with sunscreen. Andddd the most important item of all, an open mind. Keeping an open mind will make the experience much more enjoyable. Just live in the moment, enjoy the nature + scenery, and go with the flow!

(P.S. Don't be afraid to speak up and voice concerns, if you have any. You got this! Hope this was helpful and happy traveling!)

The leaderships that my PC’s has and leaders were amazing. They always made sure that we was always okay and that we were always happy. My leaders were always taking good responsibility of us and we trusted them to talk to them about anything. Being on this trip we didn’t really lacked anything. We always had something to do and I loved being with all these amazing kids. We all was able to be leaders throughout the trip and knowing each other through it. Leadership was something that really made my mind stand out bc leadership is what is needed in life.

Without a doubt one of the most powerful experiences of my life. I was nervous joining the program at first, but because of all of its praise I decided to commit and I’m so grateful I did. Global Glimpse does an incredible job at pushing glimpses out of their comfort zones so they may grow but also creates a really fun experience overall - all of this while getting to see the world and meet new people.

Something very notable is that the program is very authentic. They create a perfect balance of work and fun to make a worthwhile experience something you can actually enjoy. They speak a lot about being outside of your comfort zone and because of all of their encouragement (from home staff members, staff in Panama, zoom meetings, etc…) I was willing to take that extra step. I found that coming back from the program I am now more willing to work with others and come up with genuine solutions to problems. It has greatly lessened my fear of making my voice heard and now I want to do what I can to lead and make a positive difference around me. I seek out opportunity to be a leader rather than avoid it.

All of that happened practically under my nose though because I was having a blast the whole time. I got to see a place I’ve never been to before, eat new foods, see great views of the land and meet amazing new people. Your peers are cooperative and genuinely want to connect with you, and the staff members are some of the most supportive people I’ve ever met in my life. I was having so much fun that I was almost SAD to not wake up at 6 AM cuz that would mean my day wouldn’t feel as long.

Personally the most impactful part of the whole trip for me was community day (even though going to the beach with all my new friends was awesome). We got to go into a community I likely would have never otherwise known and speak to their members and see what their life is like. I love practicing languages so this opportunity definitely has a space in my heart specifically but other than that I learned how inviting and constructive everyone in their community is. Everyone knows each other and they work together to complete projects for the benefit of the town (i.e. a bridge crossing a stream). It increased my scope of the world and now encourages me to speak to others around me and see how other communities may be different from my own.

Of course I need to talk about the Community Action Project as well. We all met up with the leaders of a community (a primary school) and worked together to discover a way to improve their community as a whole. We ended up deciding upon constructing a recycling center nearby the basketball court of the school. Despite the fear I had for it, I ended loving doing my part in working for the improvement of this community and am proud of the piece of myself that I added to the project. It built my sense of empathy and it made me think what I could do at home to make MY community a better place. I’m so grateful for the work that we all did and I really believe it’s helped the lives of the kids at the school.

Some tips that I’d leave:
Definitely bring an alarm clock - You don’t have your phones (scary at first but I ended up loving it) and you’ll want to control when you wake up.

Bring a journal - you have so many experiences you don’t wanna miss the little ones

Lots and lots of water. - Panama is a hot place it’s practically on the equator. Your body will be adjusting and if you don’t want to be in bed sick while all your friends are trying plantains and pineapple juice while building a recycling center for a primary school.

Overall global glimpse has permanently impacted my life in the best way possible and it is something I will never forget. It expanded who I am as a person in ways I didn’t even know were possible and it was probably the most fun experience of my life. I CANNOT stress enough how much I recommend this trip. If you’ve been on the fence about it, I sincerely hope this has possibly pushed you over the edge.

How can I put my experience into words? To the facilities, to my friends, to the staff they truly are one of a kind. I really did not have a bad experience on this trip. Every single day taught me a valuable lesson in which I hope will remain with me in my future endeavors. I was able to witness the citizens experience life which truly struck a cord with me. On the last couple of days were spent on elementary school as we helped them make a better learning environment. How can I not recommend this experience to anybody else as it shaped who I am. I was nervous when I first applied to Global Glimpse but now I realize there was no need. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more confident in who I am. I have recommended this to everybody I know who is younger than me. So I recommend anyone who comes across this program to participate.

This year I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic with Global Glimpse. During this opportunity, I saw the world from a different point-of-view. I was able to build bonds with strangers, both from the US and from DR. I interacted with people from different communities, one being Monte Coca. The conversations truly changed my perspective on how much we should be grateful for what we have.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was being with the children. Those were some of the happiest children I have ever seen. Their hearts were so pure and filled with love. They were willing to spend time with us and teach us more about different Dominican foods and words.
The program coordinators and leaders made sure we learned the most we could about DR in two weeks. They also made us feel safe by creating rules, both in the space we were staying at and when we went out into the cities.
The people I met on this trip are unforgettable. We created a closer bond as the days went by. I looked forward to spending time with them, all day everyday. I couldn't have shared this opportunity with a better group of people.
This is an experience I will never forget and I hope many other students can have the opportunity to travel to another country and learn about a different culture.

This was truly the experience of a lifetime. Global Glimpse offers so many opportunities, scholarships, personal growth, and so much more, but what it really gave me was a deeper understanding of myself and the world. My two weeks in Las Tablas, Panama, from August 1st to 14th, were nothing short of incredible. Yes, there were some tough moments, but isn’t that what makes a journey meaningful? It’s how we grow, how we learn to overcome those small challenges, and how we evolve into stronger versions of ourselves.

Global Glimpse helped us see the world through a different lens. We didn’t just learn about local workers, we walked in their shoes, feeling their struggles firsthand. There was a woman who stood out to me, a true example of resilience. She built her yarn business from scratch, having never had the privilege of going to school like most of us. Her dedication to providing for her daughter despite the odds reminded me of what true strength looks like. That’s the kind of story that stays with you.

And then there was the work. When they said we’d be “working as locals,” I thought I knew what that meant, but I didn’t, until I was waking up at dawn to plant trees under the hot sun. For three days straight, we climbed what felt like mountains, planting nearly 3,000 trees for a reforestation project. It wasn’t easy. It was sweaty, dirty, and exhausting, but every drop of sweat was worth it when we reached the top and took in the breathtaking view. We came together as a community, pushing ourselves to the limit, and I can proudly say, *WE DID THAT*. We made a real, lasting difference.

Global Glimpse pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. I met people from all walks of life, and we slowly built a bond that’s still strong to this day. We learned about each other’s cultures, habits, and values, realizing that our differences were what made us connect on a deeper level. We’ve even kept our group chat going, a reminder of the friendships we made and the memories we’ll carry forever.

Global Glimpse offers more than just a trip, it’s an opportunity to discover who you truly are, both in the short and long term. But the real question is, are you ready to take that leap like I did? I’m so glad I took the risk, even though I’m not usually one to step out of my comfort zone. Now, I know who I am, a person capable of hard work, of making a difference, of connecting with others in a real and meaningful way.

If you’re looking for a way to find yourself, to challenge yourself, and to make an impact, say yes to Global Glimpse. It’s the best decision I ever made, and it might just be yours too.

Costa Rica is the first country that I visited outside of the United States. This experience was initially nerve-racking for me but despite my initial concerns, I encouraged myself to go into it with an open mind and I’m glad that I did. I had the time of my life in Costa Rica. The trip opened my mind to what life is like outside of the US. I met new friends that I likely never would’ve crossed paths with if I hadn’t gone on the trip. I also made connections with the locals, one example being Doña Vera, our cook. I’ll always cherish my time in Costa Rica. In the United States, it’s very normalized to be individualistic and that’s why so many people here feel alone. In Costa Rica, the sense of community was so strong and you could tell that even strangers cared for each other. Despite the language barrier between me and Doña Vera, we still found ways to communicate and show our appreciation towards each other. One of the most heartwarming moments that happened on my trip was when she hugged me after I gave her a letter of appreciation and she wrote one for me as well. Many of the Glimpsers also made sure that I felt safe and included and I still appreciate that daily. Yes, the country and the trip itself are amazing and beautiful but it’s the people that left a lasting impression on me. I miss Costa Rica daily but I appreciate the memories and the lessons I learned along the way.

This past summer in 2024, I had the opportunity to travel to Turrialba, Costa Rica through the Global Glimpse program. I can easily say that this has been one of the best moments of my life, and will undoubtedly be a summer I remember for years to come. With so many exciting activities, such as a waterfall hike, a coffee plantation tour, a dairy farm visit, a tour through Cartago, and working on our Community Action Project, we learned so much about the culture and environment of Costa Rica. My trip to Costa Rica has given me the opportunity to learn so much more about both the world and myself, and I recommend this program to all rising seniors as it is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Although it’s hard to pick just one, my favorite memory of my Global Glimpse trip was the day we visited a coffee plantation and a dairy farm. At the coffee plantation, we learned about the coffee plants and even got to pick coffee beans and try them. Surprisingly, they tasted very sweet. Later on, we went to a local dairy farm to learn more about the cheese-making process, and I even got to milk my first cow!! Even though I was initially hesitant, it will certainly be something I will never forget, marking just one of my experiences with Global Glimpse.
For our Community Action Project, we filled in cracks with cement in the Aquiares Elementary School gym and painted the outdoor lunch huts. During recess, we played soccer and other games with the kids and got to know them better. On our final day in Turrialba, we were invited to a special dance performance at the school, where students performed a dance for the upcoming holiday. Seeing the students use the gym was incredibly rewarding and joyful, after all of the work we put in to repair it for them. I will never forget the smiles on their faces during the dance, and feeling proud that we were able to give something back to the community that can be used for years to come.
Although many aspects of the trip may seem a little scary at first, you have nothing to worry about!! Traveling alone to a new country can be daunting, but everybody at Global Glimpse, including our fellow travelers, is always super welcoming! From meeting at the airport to playing card games and talking at night, I formed lasting friendships with so many of my peers. During the trip we got to learn so much about ourselves; including our leadership capabilities and knowing that we can be ok in a new environment with new people. We got to learn so much about the environment and challenges of Costa Rica, and how the concerns can be addressed. During the trip I made memories with some of the best people I have ever met that will last for a lifetime. Although I am sad that the trip ended, I can think back to all of my memories and learnings and smile knowing that I will never forget it!

What is there beyond your world? The internet promises to tell you, social media can show you, but to truly understand involves more curiosity. Personally, there is no other feeling like stepping out of a cold airplane into the humid air of Costa Rica, but don't take my word for it I welcome you to experience it yourself.

Global Glimpse was a genuine coach to me as an inexperienced traveler. Thanks to Global Glimpse's mentorship I was no longer simply a tourist, student, or passerby but all combined. Their well organized schedule kept the program's purpose at the forefront of our learning, with daily nightly meetings were everyone came together to share their reflections of the day, but the discussion was always centered around the prompt of the day like Community or Conservation. I also had the liberty to explore with new friends and purchase from Costa Rica's markets which saw me smiling with savory carnitas and soft oh sweet Budin(I am still waiting for the next time I get a good Budin).

My story heavily depended on the help of my family and support system, all of whom I missed dearly, but I truly made the trip a personal adventure. Because Global Glimpse provided this opportunity I was able to personally grow in ways I had not imagined.