2012 GLA Catalog

2012 CATALOG

Download a day-by-day schedule atSchool Students ™ Life-Changing Journeys for High experienceGLA.com/info

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S O U T H A MER I C A

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C o s t a R i c a D o m i n i c a n R e p. G u a t e m a l a C EN T R A L A MER I C A

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Ghana

Ta n z a n i a

Bali

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Our Mission To inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it.

Our Values Our Integrity is unspoken. It is the unfailing framework from which we build every program, human relationship, and bridge into a community.

Respect is inherent in all of our interactions among students, staff, and all of the members whose communities we serve.

Respect means accepting and celebrating differences. Respect means considering all points of view, always.

Cooperation is key to our accomplishments. We are a traveling community, helping to serve other communities. We work together, learn from one another, and build valuable friendships in the process.

Compassion is what drives our service, and that compassion extends to students, parents, and host communities. Our care for people extends to everything we do.

We are invested in the Personal Growth and development of all of our students and staff. We foster an environment for students to safely explore, experience, and self-discover.

Optimism is at our core. We believe that anything is possible, and that every person is capable of driving and adopting positive change in the world.

Innovation is what makes us stand out in international education.

Open to new ideas and always striving to work better and smarter to serve our communities, students, and parents.

Our History Although we are an American organization, our roots are global. In 2003, the African Leadership Academy (“ALA�) began as a dream to develop future leaders of Africa, regardless of income. The idea sprung from the visionary mind of Fred Swaniker, a Stanford MBA who is originally from Ghana. Growing up and working all over Africa, he realized that the greatest obstacle to African development was leadership. In an effort to combat this problem, he began developing a pan-African high school which would offer a world-class education and promote ethical and principled leadership among top high school students from all over the continent.

As a way to develop the curriculum and bring together students from Africa and around the world, Fred created the ALA Summer Academy.

After two years, believing in the potential of every young adult to be a global leader and make an impact, the name of the organization was changed to Global Leadership Adventures and Andrew Motiwalla, a 15 year veteran in international education, was brought aboard to lead the organization and replicate the successful model around the world.

With this significant expansion came a greater opportunity to serve and to apply core values of integrity, respect, cooperation, compassion, growth, and optimism to many more communities around the globe.

Today, Global Leadership Adventures is the leader of a new model of international service-learning. By bringing together individuals from different cultures to collaborate on a service project, students learn first-hand about social issues in the world while also becoming aware of their own leadership potential.

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Global Leadership Adventures:

A Life-Changing Experience

On Developing Leadership Skills Mackenzie K. Highland Hall High School Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

TOCAR FOTO

The most striking thing I learned was how to lead effectively. In China, each GLA student was required to lead the entire group for one whole day. During the program, I realized that a leader must have deep convictions of his goals, be clear about what needs to be achieved, find the strength of each individual, and capitalize on that strength.

On Opening My Eyes to New Possibilities Evert D. Willem de Zwijger High School Hometown: Bussum, The Netherlands

On Unlocking My Passions Elyssa-June S. Bermuda High School for Girls Hometown: Bermuda

GLA has inspired me to see the world in a more loving and open way. It introduced me to new cultures and people that have impressed me in the most wonderful ways. I experienced the raw soul and the real people of Tanzania, not the tourist or city life. I learned to appreciate the details in life more and to really pursue the things I want in life.

My GLA experience in Ghana was the most memorable three weeks of my life so far, and I continue to tell my friends and family that I wish I could have remained there for the entire summer. Volunteering at the Keta hospital allowed me to learn hands-on about healthcare management. I was able to see how healthcare was provided to patients in a rural context. The few hours I spent at the hospital reconfirmed my interest in healthcare, and I’ve decided to study international health, humanitarian relief and development in university.

On Learning About My Role in the World Kelly V. Currently Attending: Stanford University Lewis Palmer High School Hometown: Monument, CO

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GLA was an eye-opening experience, both in seeing a new part of the world and gaining perspective on issues that cross societal boundaries. The people I met at GLA – the children, the grassroots leaders, and our fantastic program director and mentors – have hugely inspired me to continue to act as a global citizen throughout college and my future career.

On Uncovering New Career Options Rishi T. Currently Attending: UC Berkeley Saratoga High School Hometown: Saratoga, CA

GLA instilled in me a passion for international relations because it gave me the unique opportunity to look beyond words, photographs, and statistics and truly experience firsthand the workings of another culture. The community service and immersion into the village really pushed me to embrace the Spanish language and mold a global leader out of me. In college, I’m majoring in International Relations and Economics and hope to pursue a career in international corporate law.

On Helping Me Appreciate What I Have Valerie L. Walnut High School Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

I learned to appreciate the things I once took for granted. GLA opened my eyes as to what really matters. Seeing the poverty-stricken families struck a chord in me because they worry about problems that don’t even come up in the minds of American teenagers. The question of how am I going to feed my children or where am I going to sleep tonight is always asked by families in Asia which is why I came to realize many of my problems are insignificant compared to those of these families.

On Improving the Lives of Those Less Fortunate Kevin and Sara V. Ocean City High School Hometown: Ocean City, NJ GLA Repeat Alumni

Each summer that we did GLA, our experiences were some of the most memorable times in our lives. Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica were all awesome. We did not know anyone else going into the programs, but we ended up making so many great friendships. The trips themselves are great, but it is so gratifying to be able to give back to countries in need throughout all of our volunteer work.

On Influencing College Applications Shaomin C. Currently Attending: Harvard University Choate Rosemary Hall High School Hometown: Singapore

What GLA did for me is show me the world in its most raw form and at the very same time, give me hope that I might play a role in giving these communities a brighter future.

In the face of despair, I saw the smiles of children. It showed me poverty at a level that was very extreme and I had not seen that before. My reflections on what I experienced and learnt during GLA played a key part in two of my college essays and I talked about it extensively in the interviews.

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the GLA difference GLA is not just another summer program.

It´s a life-changing experience.

This is how we do it... the service learning

adventure ™

Flagship

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5point safety system expert staff

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parent support

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GLA has crafted the ultimate Service Learning Adventure. In fact, these experiences have been shaped and tested by students just like you: exceptional, young global leaders from all corners of the world. Each experience is unique, but has the same three key components: Community Service, Hands-on Learning, and Adventure. We ensure that these three components are the core of every program, because we’ve seen it transform students year after year before our very eyes.

adventure

Community Service

Hands-on Learning The world is our classroom and we are the authors of our own adventures. Through experiential learning, we develop an understanding of a community’s arts, culture, and history in a way that no textbook alone could ever convey.

We also learn about ourselves and our role in the world, discovering new passions and leadership potential. Our students emerge motivated to participate in solving global challenges such as: healthcare, political-economic issues, children’s rights, animal protection, the environment, indigenous and women’s rights and poverty, just to name a few.

Adventure

Discussion & Reflection GLA students return home with the same luggage, but with a new and immeasurable wealth of knowledge and experience. In order to accomplish this, GLA’s staff engages students in group discussion to help them reflect and process all they’ve learned. Only after this final step is any Service Learning Adventure complete.

That’s the “A” in G-L-A, and no GLA program would be complete without it! Each host community boasts its own historical and cultural treasures, now yours to discover. Imagine exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, hiking The Great Wall of China, zip lining through the pristine cloud forests of Costa Rica, or photographing lions and zebras on a safari in Tanzania.

Which adventure is up to you.

the GLA difference

It is at the heart of each of our programs. When our students extend a hand and interact directly with a new environment and community, remote issues and concepts become people with faces, names, and needs. GLA students develop deep and lasting bonds with host communities, and leave behind real, positive change.

Flagship

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5

point

safety system ™ Safety is our #1 priority. That’s why GLA has implemented the GLA Five-Point Safety System ™ to help ensure students’ safety and health and your peace of mind:

Safe and Secure Lodging the GLA difference

Each program has a GLA Home Base, a place for GLA students. It’s their home away from home – to relax, enjoy meals with GLA staff and other volunteers, and reflect. Students room together in gender-segregated group lodging.

Caring Supervision GLA policy is for no student to ever be by themselves at any point in time.

Students should be either with staff members, in groups, or assigned to a buddy.

Our student-staff ratio is 10:1.

Healthy Meals and Pure Water Meals are prepared fresh daily, with a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread. Students may sample local cuisine, but Western-style and vegetarian options are also available. Students also have access to unlimited safe drinking water.

Expert Local Knowledge

Language

Our in-country staff members have intimate knowledge of the host community.

They have established relationships with medical professionals in the area, as well as local organizations where students do community service.

Safe and Comfortable Transportation Students are transported in GLA-approved vehicles, transported by experienced, licensed drivers. At time of arrival, GLA staff will be at the airport to meet and greet students. If the plane is delayed, they will wait until students arrive. At airport drop-off, GLA staff will help direct students on how to check in and find their flight.

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expert staff In the GLA experience, bright students connect with accomplished mentors. This is because our staff are not chaperones; they’re experts. By design, each GLA program is co-managed by both a local and international director. The combination is key: each local director has intimate knowledge of the host community and culture; each international director comes from the U.S. or U.K. and has in-depth professional experience working with youth.

All of our staff hold college degrees – most with graduate degrees. Many also return year after year to work with GLA. Explore some of our expert staffs’ backgrounds below:

Flagship

Language

More of our staff bios can be found in the back of the catalog.

Kate Hanavan

Ryan Feinstein

Dave Addison

Annabel Smith

Danielle holds a PhD in Political Science from Stanford University and holds a Masters degree from the School of Education at Stanford.

Danielle worked as a special education teacher and for various U.S. and international nonprofit organizations. She has also been part of the GLA team in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Africa and works with a number of service organizations including Teach for America and the Orphan Foundation of America.

Kate was raised in Goffstown, New Hampshire and attended Emerson College in Boston where she received a degree in Education.

Kate currently lives in San Francisco where she teaches at an elite primary school in the mornings and tutors high school students around the city in the evenings. In the summer, Kate directs GLA programs and has worked in Tanzania, Australia and China. She has a strong passion for educating youth and traveling internationally as she has visited 20 different countries on five different continents.

Ryan is the founder of the Global Youth in Action Programs and was Project Director for the third international “Awakening Global Action” gathering in Bali. He has helped design and host all three “Quest for Global Healing” conferences with more than 1200 people from around the world. When not in Bali, Ryan runs leadership development programs for young people.

Most recently, he was in charge of leadership programs at the Jewish Community Center in La Jolla, CA. Ryan received his BA in International Studies from UC San Diego.

Dave holds a BA from the University of the State of New York in International Relations and a PhD in Global Sustainability from Argosy University. Prior to working with GLA, Dave was a US Navy Seal and a financial analyst on Wall Street. Having raised three children, he now lives in the Dominican Republic working on environmental sustainability and humanitarian projects with high school students. Dave loves sharing his knowledge with students and inspiring them to build a healthy, habitable planet for future generations.

Annabel holds a BA in International History and MS in Human Rights from the London School of Economics.

She has taught in the UK, the US and East Africa, and was most recently the Director of Global Studies and Community Partnerships at the American School in London. Her passion for human rights education led her to join GLA. She has directed GLA programs in India and Tanzania.

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the GLA difference

Danielle Harlan

full-service

parent support

TESTIMONIALS

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At GLA, we are your tireless mission control. In other words, we’re with you every step of the way. We understand it can be challenging to leave your teen to the care of others, so we take equal care in providing superior support for every parent, before, during, and post-program:

Full Pre-Departure Support

Once you’ve registered for one of our programs, the GLA Team is at your disposal to provide full support for all your preparations:

Language

hip the GLA difference

• Where and how to book a flight • Flight recommendations and suggested group itineraries so that students can travel with other students • Understanding the passport and visa application process, step-by-step • Full access to the online GLA Travel Portal – network with other parents and students on your program and have all pre-departure info at your fingertips

Sam H., Winnetka, IL “We are so thankful to find a program that is so safe as that was my biggest concern when she first thought of going. I would rate my experience with GLA a 10 out of 10! My daughter participated in the Ghana and Guatemala programs and loved both of them. She hopes to go to Galapagos next year! Thank you all so much for working so hard to provide such a great experience for the kids.”

In-Country Support and Updates

During the program, we are your direct link, 24 hours a day: • Offering a 24-hour Emergency Hotline • Requiring all students to call home upon arrival in the country • Making you aware of any emergencies, changes, or updates • Relaying urgent parental messages to students, and student messages to parents, via in-country staff • Providing evacuation and secondary medical insurance for all students • Linking you to periodically-updated student blogs, with pictures and accounts of students’ experiences, so parents can share in the journey (available for most programs)

Post-Program Follow-Up

After the program, our staff follows up with every parent to: • Get your feedback on the program • Get your feedback on the level of parent support • Ensure we’ve provided the best possible service to you and your family

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Ruth C., Los Angeles, CA “Once Christine was set to go, I started feeling a little insecure. I contacted GLA by email, and received an immediate and detailed response, alleviating my concerns.

I was especially happy to be able to follow along with the trip events on the GLA blog, enabling me to have a visual of how happy my daughter appeared... and she was truly, truly happy. When Christine came home and shared some of her experiences and stories with me, I had a question for GLA administration. My concerns were dealt with in a professional and courteous manner. I feel that GLA has a great deal of integrity in dealing with families.

The concern for student’s well-being was consistent from pre-departure right through to the safe return home, and the weeks that followed.”

Program Types Throughout the catalog, you’ll notice certain programs are marked “Flagship, Language or Multi-Country”. Students have given these programs the highest ratings, and this is why:

Flagship

home base Language

Whether it’s a spacious house, a floor of a building, or a hostel we’ve taken over, the GLA Home Base is where students can relax, unwind, share stories, and build lifelong friendships. Here students experience a group-living dynamic, creating a sense of community, support and reflection throughout their experience. Many GLA students find that it also helps prepare them for the experience of living at college.

Flagship

Language Interact on a deeper level, and take your language skills to the next level. Designed for high school students, our GLA Experiential Language Curriculum ™ seamlessly integrates language into many aspects of the program, including community service and cultural activities. Our teachers use classroom time to prepare students to speak the language as they interact with local people. We currently offer Language programs in Spanish and Mandarin.

Multi

the GLA difference

Our 21-day Flagship programs provide the ideal amount of time to satisfy every dimension of the GLA experience. Although many of the same objectives can be achieved on shorter programs, students and parents report that three weeks is the optimal time to develop lifelong friendships with local people and fellow students, to make a greater impact on the community, to fully immerse themselves in a culture, and to explore different facets of the host country.

lodging

The GLA Home Base is one of many features that sets us apart from the rest. It is each GLA student’s homeaway-from-home. Home Base is a space reserved for GLA students and staff, providing safety and security within a controlled, supervised environment.

Language

Country

These programs range from four to six weeks and represent the pinnacle of the GLA experience. These in-depth programs give students the opportunity to experience two different countries.

Staff in each country engage students in discussion to link common themes woven throughout the program. Through these comparisons, students can contextualize the issues and attributes of a particular region versus simply visiting one country.

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Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

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GHANA

Children of Africa ™

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ΩΩVolunteer at a village primary school ΩConfront history at the slave forts Ω Absorb social issues facing women and children Ω Hike to the tallest waterfall in West Africa Ω Learn traditional African dance and percussion

GHANA

Its villages will charm you, its scenery amaze you, and its children welcome you Ghana is often called the heart and soul of West Africa because of its welcoming, passionate, and peaceful people.

It is a particularly important place, because it is where many African-Americans can trace their roots.

Besides volunteering to help local children, you will immerse yourself in the vibrant African culture, visit the historic slave forts on Cape Coast, and hike through lush tropical forests and large natural reserves home to monkeys and hundreds of species of birds and butterflies.

Community Service Service is an integral part of this program. You will volunteer in orphanages and schools working with Ghanaian children. Many children do not have access to education, and there is a lack of adequate facilities, books and qualified teachers. You may find yourself teaching a group of kids in a classroom with no electricity and with only a chalkboard and your English-language skills to share. Other service activities include making bricks that will be used in the construction of classrooms or engaging a group of youth in a soccer tournament.

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM June 19 – July 9 July 4 – July 24 July 12 – August 1 July 27 – August 16 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 60 14-DAY PROGRAM June 18 – July 1 August 4 – August 17 Tuition: $3,199 Service hours: 45

Through a variety of cultural activities, you will become immersed in this rich African culture. We’ll participate in workshops such as cloth making, drumming, and Ewe language crash courses. Additionally, we will meet with inspirational grassroots leaders to learn how they are addressing the pressing issues facing Ghanaian women and children today.

You will have the unique opportunity to meet with local tribe members and chiefs to engage in a deep analysis of traditional religion, the social construction of gender, the tribal system of chiefs, as well as the distinctive history of Ghana.

Adventure During the week we’ll visit some of the local sites, but on the first weekend we’ll travel deep into the Volta Region where we’ll hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in West Africa, visit a Monkey Sanctuary and learn how to weave kente cloth at a traditional weaving village.

Students participating on the 21-day Flagship Program will spend the second weekend exploring the legendary and haunting slave forts including Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle. The Elmina Castle was one of the most frequented stops in the Atlantic Slave Trade, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also hike along rope bridges through the canopy of a rain forest.

Lodging GLA operates two Home Bases in southeast Ghana, each located approximately 3.5 hours from Accra, the capital city. They are both typical African compounds in a rural village setting. Accommodations are basic, but clean and safe. The Home Bases have shared bathrooms and cold-water showers. All students sleep in gender-segregated rooms in bunk beds, with roommates.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Ghana alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Ghana

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

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TANZANIA

Heart & Soul of Africa

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ΩΩVolunteer at a village primary school Ω Set out on safari – see zebras, elephants, lions, rhinos and more! Ω Hike to a waterfall on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro Ω Spend a weekend among the Masai to learn about their culture Ω Learn African dance and percussion

TANZANIA

Explore the myth and magic of the real Africa Venture out beyond the Africa of the movies and discover the real Africa: welcoming people, awe-inspiring wildlife, persistent percussion, and the mythical Mount Kilimanjaro.

Work side-by-side with local leaders in orphanages and village schools. During the weekends, experience a real African wildlife safari and live among the Masai people to learn first-hand about their unique culture.

Community Service We will work at the local village schools and orphanages fixing up facilities by painting and building playgrounds and classrooms for the children. In addition, we will teach English and math by playing educational games as well as engage local kids in sports.

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM June 17 – July 7 July 6 – July 26 July 10 – July 30 July 29 – August 18 Tuition: $4,599 Service hours: 45 14-DAY PROGRAM June 20 – July 3 August 2 – August 15 Tuition: $3,299 Service hours: 30

You will learn about Tanzania’s rich culture. Specifically, you will experience the traditions of the Chagga people who live in the Kilimanjaro region, including visits to their coffee farms and banana plantations. You will also learn about and meet members of the Masai nomadic tribes who follow their livestock and adhere to no country borders. Although English is widely spoken, you will also learn to speak some Swahili. You will learn from guest speakers about social issues facing the community, such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the history of East Africa.

Adventure

Lodging

In addition to spending a day hiking around the base of Mount Kilimanjaro to a stunning waterfall, you will also visit some of the world’s most spectacular safari parks. Over the first weekend you will visit two of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves: Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. During the weekend safari, you will have the opportunity to get up close to zebras, lions, leopards, elephants, wildebeest, rhinos, and many other species in their natural habitat. For those on our 21-day Flagship Program, the second weekend will take us to a traditional Masai village where we’ll camp in tents overnight and learn to throw spears, track animals and make traditional beaded jewelry.

GLA has two Home Bases; both are located 45 minutes from Kilimanjaro airport. They are both typical walled African compounds located in villages outside of Arusha and Moshi. Each room has bunk beds and a private bathroom with western toilets.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Tanzania alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Tanzania

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

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GHANA + TANZANIA

The Africa Initiative ™

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Country

ΩΩInspire a generation of African children Ω Hike to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro Ω Confront history at the slave forts Ω Set out on an African safari Ω Meet instrumental women’s groups Ω Help refurbish rural schools

GHANA + TANZANIA

Absorb her elaborate history and play your own part in ensuring a bright future for Africa The African continent is well known for its vastness and its multitude of cultures, sights and sounds. To some, it may seem too vast and diverse to tackle. But we know it isn’t. You’ll hone in on two key areas – Ghana and Tanzania – where you’ll work alongside dynamic leaders who are already working to create positive change in their communities. Along the way you’ll soak up two vibrant and distinct cultures, engage in meaningful volunteer work and cultivate yourself as a citizen of the planet.

Community Service In both Ghana and Tanzania you’ll volunteer to refurbish rural schools and also spend time in classrooms teaching English or tutoring students on other subjects. We’ll also spend time in orphanages and other youth programs created to serve the needs of the community. You may find yourself teaching under a tree, coaching soccer in abandoned field, or making bricks to build a classroom.

Hands-on Learning

42-DAY MULTI-COUNTRY PROGRAM June 19 – July 30 July 6 – August 16 Tuition: $7995 Service hours: 105 35-DAY MULTI-COUNTRY PROGRAM June 20 – July 24 July 12 – August 15 Tuition: $6995 Service hours: 75 One-way airfare between Ghana and Tanzania needs to be purchased separately

You’ll participate in a wide variety of cultural activities that will expose you to traditional arts, crafts, music and dance in these African countries. You’ll make batik and learn African percussion and local dance moves. You’ll also get a crash course in Swahili, widely spoken in Tanzania and Ewe, a local tribal language of Ghana. In addition to the cultural workshops, you’ll meet with grassroots leaders, village elders, tribal chiefs and inspirational community activists striving to better their communities.

Adventure In Ghana and Tanzania, our adventures will encompass sites of both natural and historic significance. You’ll traverse the Savannah scouting for game on an authentic African safari, play at the foot of the tallest waterfall in west Africa, visit a monkey sanctuary and hike the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. We’ll also confront history at the slave forts in Ghana and visit many bustling, colorful outdoor markets.

Lodging In both Ghana and Tanzania our Home Base is a large African compound where students and staff live together in gender-segregated rooms. Facilities are simple, clean and secure. Each room has bunk beds and a private bathroom. Food consists of African staples such as ugali, fufu, plantains and beans.

Scan the code to join us on facebook and meet other students, or visit: http://on.fb.me/glahome

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

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Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

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BALI

Journey of Arts & Service

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ΩΩVolunteer with inspirational organizations helping to improve public education Ω Dine with a local prince and learn about his leadership of the town Ω Visit traditional healers and medicine men Ω Take a sunrise boat trip to see dolphins Ω Trek to remote temples and work in rice paddies with local farmers

Discover yourself in a land inspired by the arts, spirituality and natural harmony Journey to the magical Indonesian island of Bali where you’ll experience its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, natural hot springs, deep river valleys, cool mountain trails, soaring volcanoes, green rice fields, and plunging waterfalls.

BALI

Immerse yourself in a land where spirituality and ecology blend together to create a unique and peaceful culture. During your experience you’ll volunteer with community organizations, explore off-the-beaten-path places and enjoy the rich and vibrant local culture.

Community Service Projects include teaching English and computer skills to Balinese youth at an educational training school, working at a local clinic, or participating in environmental campaigns against plastic. Community service will be your opportunity to interact with the local people and get a closer look at the culture and daily life of the Balinese.

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM July 1 – July 21 July 29 – August 18 Tuition: $4,599 Service Hours: 40 14- DAY PROGRAM July 1 – July 14 Tuition: $ 3,199 Service Hours: 30

We will learn about the intersection of traditional spirituality and ecological sustainability and how that is expressed through the arts. We’ll do hands-on workshops on Balinese Gamelan music, Kecak dance, and mask-making and meet with community leaders to learn about issues facing the community. You’ll learn first-hand about life as a small scale farmer by working in the rice fields and spend time with peasant farmers’ families. The program is uniquely suited to learn about leadership. Our leadership sessions are designed to enrich your capacity to create change in your own communities. We believe that the Balinese people embody leadership in their daily lives, and we will use this learning for our “living leadership” workshops.

Adventure The entire Bali journey will be an adventure. We will be staying in Ubud, the cultural arts capital of Bali, and also the town featured in the book and movie Eat, Pray, Love. Ubud is renowned for the arts, especially mask makers, traditional healers, dance, music, and other craftsmen. The Balinese culture is based on living harmoniously with the natural world, and you will get a “behind the scenes” tour while you trek through luscious rice paddies, visit remote temple sites, snorkel through the coral reef with dolphins, and raft down the river overlooking massive canyons.

Lodging The GLA Home Base is a traditional Balinese compound with a courtyard surrounded by individual rooms.

Students will share a room with one or two other students of the same gender.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Bali alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Bali

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

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THAILAND

Cultural Kaleidoscope™

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ΩVolunteer Ω at an orphanage for displaced children Ω Experience Thai food, arts, & music Ω Help care for elephants Ω Trek through the jungle to remote hill tribes Ω Zip-line through the rainforest Ω Discover Bangkok, home of the giant reclining Buddha

Find yourself in a potpourri of saffron robes, green mountains, golden temples, & technicolor markets Journey to enchanting Thailand –a kingdom rich in culture, arts & tradition.

In this program, we’ll volunteer at a local orphanage, making a difference in the lives of hill tribe refugees. We’ll also bathe and care for elephants at a local preserve.

THAILAND

In our off-time, we’ll go white water rafting, zip-line through the lush rainforest, and trek in the mountains. We’ll also learn how to cook Thai food and visit the bustling city of Bangkok and the temples of Ayuthaya.

Community Service Service is an integral part of the program. You will volunteer at an orphanage, helping refugee hill tribe children who trace their roots to Burma and Laos. Volunteer work ranges from building new facilities to teaching English and playing soccer. You’ll make a difference at a battered woman’s shelter. Finally, you’ll work at an elephant camp and gain hands-on experience bathing, training, and caring for elephants.

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM July 2 – July 22 July 25 – August 14 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 50 14-DAY PROGRAM June 17 – June 30 Tuition: $3,199 Service hours: 30

You’ll experience the diversity of Thai culture. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with community activists, get an authentic Thai massage, visit the morning market to gather fresh ingredients for a Thai cooking class, learn Muay Thai boxing, and hear about Buddhism’s influence on Thai culture and society. Chiang Mai, where we will be based, is a hot spot for groundbreaking NGO activity. You’ll have the opportunity to visit a hill tribe refugee village and converse with leaders of grassroots organizations.

Adventure This program is filled with adventure, as Thailand is complete with not just culture but also beautiful landscapes. We’ll go white water rafting down a roaring river, zip line through lush vegetation, ride a bamboo raft, and shop for handicrafts at the Chiang Mai night bazaar. At the end of the program, we’ll visit the bustling city of Bangkok and see the longest reclining Buddha in the world and Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lodging We will spend most of the program based in a small hotel on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, nestled among lush-green rice paddies. The program will begin and end in Bangkok, where we will also stay in a small hotel.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Thailand alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Thailand

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 25 www.experienceGLA.com

INDIA / HIMALAYAS

Majestic Civilization ™

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ΩBehold Ω the Taj Mahal Ω Tackle sustainability issues Ω Meet cutting-edge non-profit organizations Ω Hike the snowcapped Himalayas Ω Reflect in the temple of the Dalai Lama Ω Hear from leaders of the Tibetan refugee community

Discover a great civilization from majestic Himalayan peaks to the Taj Mahal High tech parks sit next to ancient Hindu temples; majestic architecture-lined streets filled with meandering cattle.

This is India, your destination: as much a culturally-rich, ancient civilization as an economic and political juggernaut on the world stage.

INDIA

We’ll start out visiting the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, we’ll journey north to the majestic Himalayan region where we will experience both traditional Himalayan culture as well as that of the Tibetan exile community.

In addition to volunteering there, we’ll learn about prominent issues regarding environmental sustainability.

Community Service We’ll juggle two rewarding projects simultaneously during the program that will give us a glimpse into the lives of the region’s people. You’ll help run a summer camp for Himalayan children, ranging from 4 to 15 years of age, delving into arts & crafts, sports and informal educational activities. You’ll also work on supporting income generation projects of different indigenous groups, such as the Gaddi people, as well as Tibetan exiles and other migrants.

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM June 24 – July 14 July 8 – July 28 July 22 – August 11 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 50

We’ll learn about the diversity of Indian culture, pressing social issues and India’s role on the global stage. Explore issues related to environmental sustainability and traditional Ayurvedic medicine through hands-on workshops and discussions with speakers. Since we’re living in the town where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile population live, you’ll also learn about Tibetan Buddhism, arts and music and even learn to cook some meals.

Adventure Our journey begins and ends in Delhi. We’ll start out by traveling south to the Taj Mahal, one of the great architectural marvels of the world. From there, we’ll take an overnight sleeper bus to Dharamsala, in the Indian Himalayas, one of the most visually stunning regions on earth. During one weekend, we’ll hike out to a rural village where we’ll camp out and live among the semi-nomadic Gaddi people and learn about their culture. We’ll spend the other weekend exploring Dharamsala and significant places related to Tibetan Buddhism.

Lodging In Dharamsala, the GLA Home Base is a large house in a residential part of Dharamsala where our staff and students will live together in shared rooms and enjoy home-cooked meals. In Delhi, we’ll stay at a hotel. Outside Agra, we’ll spend a night at a royal palace converted into a hotel.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with India alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012India

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 27 www.experienceGLA.com

CHINA

Mandarin Service Adventure

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ΩΩVolunteer at a school for children of migrant workers Ω Intensive Mandarin language instruction Ω Discover Shanghai, the business capital, and Beijing, the political capital Ω Hike the Great Wall of China Ω Learn Chinese cooking and calligraphy Ω Experience the majesty of rural and urban China

A full spectrum of Chinese adventure awaits, as complex as the country itself You will live in a semi-rural area outside of Beijing in order to get an authentic experience. You’ll spend the weekends exploring important cultural sites in the center of Beijing and also Shanghai, the center of Asian commerce. This is your ticket to a comprehensive view of China.

CHINA

This GLA Language Program integrates Mandarin into all its aspects – community service, excursions, and cultural events.

It is a unique immersion curriculum designed by GLA. Our experienced teachers use classroom time to prepare students to speak Mandarin in everyday situations in China. It is an experience you cannot get sitting in a Mandarin class in school.

Community Service We’ll volunteer in the semi-rural area outside of Beijing where you’ll witness firsthand some of the social challenges facing farmers who migrate to the capital in search of a better life. We’ll teach conversational English in a local school and also refurbish a school that serves the children of migrant workers. There are also lots of opportunities to engage the children in the universal language of sports!

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY LANGUAGE PROGRAM July 1 – July 21 July 24 – August 13 Tuition: $4,599 Service hours: 30

The focus of this program is to enable Mandarin language acquisition while allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary Chinese society. In addition to language classes, we’ll have hands-on workshops on Chinese cooking, calligraphy and kung fu. We’ll also hear from speakers on topics ranging from international relations to recent Chinese history. Along the way, we’ll have opportunities to engage in cultural exchange with people from all sections of Chinese society, from farmers and businesspeople to teenagers and migrant workers.

Our unique combination of classes and community service allows beginners to quickly learn the basics and gives advanced speakers the confidence to use their skills with native speakers. No prior knowledge of Mandarin is required.

Adventure During the first weekend, we’ll take an overnight high-speed train to Shanghai – the exciting, bustling business center of China. We’ll spend the weekend exploring this high-tech city. The following weekend we will venture to the Great Wall of China. During the week, we’ll discover the marvels in Beijing such as Tiananmen Square, the 798 Arts District, the Olympic greens, The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and various other temples and places of cultural significance.

Lodging The GLA Home Base is a small hotel located in a semirural area approximately one hour outside of Beijing. You’ll live with 2-3 other students of the same gender and have a private, western-style bathroom. During the weekend in Shanghai, we’ll stay in a hotel in the city center.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with China alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012-China

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 29 www.experienceGLA.com

CHINA + INDIA

Giants of the 21st Century ™

30 Multi

ΩΩLearn first-hand how both countries see their role in the world Ω Compare and contrast notions of Country human rights, democracy, and economic development Ω Discover the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal Ω Enjoy a potpourri of cultural experiences such as food, music, and arts

Get a rare glimpse into the two greatest emerging economies of the century CHINA + INDIA

China and India have quickly become two of the most important countries on the global stage. What happens in these countries affects people all over the world - from environmental issues to policy and global commerce. However, neither nation is well understood by Westerners. Join us on an in-depth exploration of both countries in a quest to understand each society from the ground up. By volunteering and learning first-hand from grassroots leaders, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the complexity, dynamism, and cultural richness of each country.

Community Service In China, you’ll teach conversational English to the children of migrant workers and help refurbish a school in a rural area outside of Beijing. These service projects allow you to interact with regular Chinese people from different walks of life. In India, you’ll help run a summer camp for Himalayan children, doing arts & crafts, sports and basic English teaching.

Hands-on Learning

42-DAY MULTI-COUNTRY PROGRAM July 1 – August 11 Tuition: $7,995 * Service hours: 110 *One-way airfare from Beijing to New Delhi needs to be purchased separately.

The program is an overview of contemporary China and India through a mix of sessions on politics, history, culture, economy, and traditional art. We’ll go out every day to visit temples, markets, pagodas and places of historical, cultural, and political significance.

We’ll compare and contrast the issues facing modern day China and India, their roles on the global stage, Indian and Chinese culture, and pressing social issues. You will have the opportunity to converse with grassroots leaders, environmental activists, and local political figures. In India, because we’ll spend time in a Tibetan refugee town, we’ll learn about the Tibetan government in exile and visit the Dalai Lama’s temple. In China, you will have a Mandarin Chinese course based on your level (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced).

No prior knowledge of Mandarin is required.

Adventure This journey of a lifetime starts with three weeks in China, living in a semi-rural area outside of Beijing and learning about Chinese culture and politics. We’ll visit the Great Wall, Beijing city center, and Shanghai. From China, you fly to New Delhi, India where you’ll join our program in India and visit the Taj Mahal and travel up to the Himalayas.

Lodging In China, our Home Base is a small hotel located in a semirural area approximately one hour outside of Beijing. You’ll live with 2-3 other students of the same gender and have a private, western-style bathroom. In Shanghai, we’ll stay in a hotel in the city center. In the Himalayas our Home Base is a large home in a residential area of Dharamsala. We’ll also camp in a mountain village for two nights and spend a night in a refurbished palace hotel.

Scan the code to join us on facebook and meet other students, or visit: http://on.fb.me/glahome

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 31 www.experienceGLA.com

THAILAND + INDIA

Seeking Nirvana ™

32 Multi

ΩΩDiscover the Taj Mahal and giant Reclining Budhha ΩHike through Himalayan villages & green rice Country paddies Ω Enjoy a Thai massage and be treated with Ayurvedic medicine Ω Reflect in the temples of the Dalai Lama & Wat Pho Ω Volunteer to help Tibetan refugees and hill tribe orphans

Discover the wisdom of ancient civilizations while immersing yourself in the vibrant cultures and landscapes of today THAILAND + INDIA

Thailand and India are home to some of the most vibrant cultures in the world. Through deep exploration of both regions, from Himalayan mountain peaks to mythical temples, you’ll be exposed to an unmatched medley of incense, night markets, palaces and rice paddies. We’ll work with the Tibetan exile community in India and the children of hill tribe refugees in Thailand. We’ll also visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Taj Mahal and Ayuthaya, and tackle white water rafting, camping, jungle trekking, and elephant-riding along the way. By volunteering and learning first-hand from grassroots leaders, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the complexity, dynamism, and cultural richness of each country.

Community Service In Thailand, you will volunteer at an orphanage helping refugee hill tribe children who trace their roots to Burma and Laos by teaching them English, building new facilities, and playing soccer. You’ll also work at an elephant camp and gain hands-on experience bathing, training, and caring for elephants. In India, you’ll work at a summer camp for children, doing arts & crafts, sports, and other activities. You’ll also work on projects to help different indigenous groups generate income.

Hands-on Learning

41-DAY MULTI-COUNTRY PROGRAM July 2 – August 11 Tuition: $7,995 * Service hours: 110 *One-way airfare from Bangkok to New Delhi needs to be purchased separately.

We’ll experience Thai, Indian, and Himalayan culture. In Thailand, meet NGOs doing groundbreaking work, learn Muay Thai boxing and how to cook a delicious Thai meal, and understand Buddhism’s influence on Thai culture and society. In India, explore issues in environmental sustainability and traditional Ayurvedic medicine and the country’s role on the global stage.

Adventure The journey begins in Bangkok and ends in Delhi. We’ll visit the longest reclining Buddha in the world and Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand. Then we’ll head to our Home Base near Chiang Mai, where we’ll go white water rafting, trekking in the jungle, and zip lining.

In India, we’ll see the Taj Mahal and then head up to Dharamsala in the Indian Himalayas.

During one weekend, we’ll hike out to a rural village and live among the Gaddi people.

We’ll spend another weekend exploring Dharamsala and significant places related to Tibetan Buddhism.

Lodging In Thailand, the Home Base will be a small hotel near Chiang Mai and in India, it will be a large house in a residential part of Dharamsala. Students will live in gender-segregated shared rooms and enjoy home-cooked meals. For Delhi and Bangkok, we will stay in a comfortable hotel. In Agra, we’ll spend a night at a royal palace converted into a hotel.

Scan the code to join us on facebook and meet other students, or visit: http://on.fb.me/glahome

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 33 www.experienceGLA.com

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Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 35 www.experienceGLA.com

GALAPAGOS

Preserving Nature’s Wonders ™

ΩVolunteer Ω to restore the habitat of native Galapagos wildlife Ω Snorkel with sea lions and multi-colored exotic fish Ω Zip36 line through forest tree-tops Ω Kayak around untouched islands and see animals up close Ω Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station Ω Meet Lonesome George, the rarest tortoise in the world Ω Wander the cobblestone streets of colonial Quito

Live alongside exotic marine life in one of the last untouched places on earth Come and experience one of the world’s most pristine natural environments, and do your part to preserve it for future generations.

The 19 Galapagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, are so unique that UNESCO has designated them a World Heritage Site.

While the archipelago has been the center of attention from conservationists around the world, it is under constant pressure from environmental threats. Come help restore the habitat of the animals whose existence is under threat.

You will also experience the islands’ natural wonders: hike lava fields, snorkel with seals, and explore islands, volcanoes, and reefs.

Community Service Of the nine days you spend on the Galapagos Islands, five will consist of community service. The other four days in the Galapagos will not include community service; they will focus on exploring the islands and learning about the biology and geology of the archipelago.

The native wildlife of the islands is in danger because the animals’ natural habitat is under attack by invasive plants, litter, and foreign species. Students work to restore the natural habitat of the animals so that they can reproduce and grow. Our projects are in partnership with tortoise breeding centers on the islands of San Cristobal and Isabela.

14-DAY PROGRAM June 17 – June 30 July 3 – July 16 July 19 – August 1 August 4 – August 17 Tuition: $3,499 + $430 flight supplement* Service hours: 20 * The $430 domestic flight supplement covers roundtrip airfare from Quito to the Galapagos Islands and includes $110 of taxes, fees and permits paid upon arrival at the Galapagos airport.

Throughout the program, you will be in a “living classroom.” We will learn about issues related to the challenges of balancing the needs of humans with the imperative for biological protection and preservation. You will also witness first-hand the diversity of species that led Darwin to formulate his thinking on natural selection and adaptation. The entire journey will shed light into the history of these islands, human interaction and habitation, and the struggle to conserve the wildlife and fauna of this area.

Adventure This journey is the experience of a lifetime, not simply because of the rich and varied diversity of animals that you will see or their staggering numbers, but also because of their sublime indifference to you while observing them. Giant tortoises – including the legendary Lonesome George, the last of his species on earth – roam freely. Blue-footed boobies perch on rocks. A mind-boggling array of creatures lives in a paradise of crystal blue waters, white beaches and cool mangrove stands. Students will hike up to a volcano and explore the second largest crater in the entire world. We will swim through lagoons, snorkel through reefs and see varied wildlife that you have only read about.

Lodging While in the Galapagos Islands our Home Base is a small hotel run out of the home of a local family. It is similar to a bed & breakfast; our students will share a room with roommates. Students and staff eat meals with the local family.

The family will share their home, culture and personal experiences of living on the islands with us.

GALAPAGOS

Hands-on Learning

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Galapagos alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Galapagos

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 37 www.experienceGLA.com

PERU

Service in the Sacred Valley

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ΩΩVolunteer to better the health and education of children Ω Bike through the Sacred Valley Ω Visit key archaeological sites of the Inca Empire Ω Whitewater raft through the Andes mountains Ω Hike to the lost city of Machu Picchu!

The ancient Inca Empire is yours to discover while making a difference in the lives of families Discover Cusco, the heart of the ancient Inca Empire, a 5,000 year old civilization shrouded in mystery and tradition.

Volunteer with non-profit organizations that work to improve the health and well-being of indigenous children. On the weekends, explore the Sacred Valley by bike, raft and even hike to the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Community Service Our community service projects focus on improving public health for women and children. You will have a choice of which service site you work at. At one site, we work with on a project to build clean burning stoves to improve respiratory health of women and children. We will build greenhouses in order to cultivate medicinal plants to treat illness and vegetables to combat malnutrition in children. At the other site, we volunteer at a village school, helping to build and re-paint classrooms and play sports with the local children.

Hands-on Learning

14-DAY PROGRAM June 19 – July 2 Tuition: $3,199 Service hours: 30

PERU

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM July 4 – July 24 July 27 – August 16 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 50

The Quechua people of the Peruvian Andes are the direct descendents of the Inca Empire.

We will learn first-hand about their unique and rich culture through Andean music and dance workshops, a Quechua language crash course, talks on Andean cosmology and meetings with traditional healers. Informally, you’ll experience the local culture through soccer games with local youth, meetings with farmers and engaging discussions with nonprofit organizations.

Lodging

Adventure The Sacred Valley surrounding Cusco is full of archaeological marvels built by the Inca Empire. We’ll visit many of these historic sites and embark on a three-day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. On our 21-day Flagship program, you’ll also spend a weekend delving deep into the Sacred Valley by visiting ancient ruins on bicycles, camping in the hills and whitewater rafting down rivers winding through the Andes Mountains. We’ll also visit Pisac, one of Peru’s largest handicraft markets.

The GLA Home Base is located in Cusco in a small, quaint hotel. There are two students per room with a private bathroom. On the 21-Day Flagship Program, we will camp in tents provided by GLA during one weekend.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Peru alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Peru

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 39 www.experienceGLA.com

PERU + GALAPAGOS

Land of Discovery ™

40 Multi

Country

ΩRetrace Ω the steps of Charles Darwin Ω Hike to the lost city of Machu Picchu Ω Help preserve endangered tortoises Ω Zip-line through forests and whitewater raft down mountain rivers Ω Volunteer in Quechua communities Ω Snorkel with sea lions

Journey to the land of two of history’s greatest discoveries When Charles Darwin and Hiram Bingham made their discoveries in South America, they changed the world forever. Today, the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu are two of the unique places on earth that continue to attract explorers fascinated by the pristine natural setting of the islands and the breathtaking scale of this lost Incan city. Combining our programs in Peru and Ecuador is the perfect way to discover these same wonders for yourself, and to make important discoveries of your own!

Community Service While in the Galapagos, spend five days working to preserve the natural habitat of the endangered giant tortoises. We’ll work to clear out invasive plants, litter and foreign species.

In Peru, we’ll spend the entire time helping to build clean-burning stoves and greenhouses to grow vegetables, while also engaging the local children in sports and conversational English teaching.

Hands-on Learning

* The $430 domestic flight supplement covers roundtrip airfare from Quito to the Galapagos Islands and includes $110 of taxes, fees and permits paid upon arrival at the Galapagos airport.

In addition, one-way airfare from Lima to Quito needs to be purchased separately.

Adventure

Lodging

This journey through South America promises to be the experience of a lifetime. The Galapagos archipelago is one of the last places on earth where humans and wild animals peacefully co-exist. You can respectfully approach the animals while they remain blissfully indifferent to your presence. The Peruvian Andes hold an array of outdoor adventures from whitewater rafting, cycling to hiking the fabled Inca trail - you’ll truly explore this land of discovery.

In the Galapagos Islands, our Home Base is a small, family-run hotel. Students share a room with roommates.

In Peru, our Home Base is a small hotel in the town of Cusco where staff and students live together in gendersegregated rooms.

PERU + GALAPAGOS

28-DAY MULTI-COUNTRY PROGRAM June 19 – July 16 Tuition: $6395 + $430 flight supplement* Service hours: 50

Both countries are some of the most intellectually stimulating places in the world. In the Galapagos, you’ll witness the incredible biodiversity which helped Darwin formulate his thinking on natural selection. Peru is an anthropological marvel where Quechua communities maintain the language and traditions that have existed since the Inca Empire. We’ll meet with non-profit leaders, shamans and historians to shed light on this fascinating region.

Scan the code to join us on facebook and meet other students, or visit: http://on.fb.me/glahome

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 41 www.experienceGLA.com

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Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

+ 1 858 771 0645 43 www.experienceGLA.com

COSTA RICA

Spanish Service Adventure

44

ΩΩVolunteer at an impoverished school Ω Learn Spanish while serving a community Ω Camp on the beach and learn to surf Ω Zip line through the rain forest Ω Ride down roaring rivers on inner tubes and rafts Ω Hike to the crater of a volcano

On this adventure, you’ll learn all of the important Spanish words for: climb, zip, hike, swim, serve!

Over three weeks, catapult your Spanish skills to the next level while volunteering at rural schools, studying the language, and enjoying the breathtaking biodiversity of Costa Rica. In our off-time, hike to waterfalls, try your hand at surfing, snorkel through crystal blue waters and coral reefs, and relax on pristine white sand beaches.

Community Service You will volunteer every weekday morning at an elementary school in a rural, impoverished area teaching arts, crafts, sports or basic English. This will allow you to help the children of the community while also practicing your Spanish language skills. Most importantly, you will be a friend and role model to young children who have limited exposure to the rest of the world.

Hands-on Learning

21-DAY LANGUAGE PROGRAM June 4 – July 24 July 26 – August 15 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 40

Adventure We’ll get out and explore the tropical countryside and experience the vast array of natural wonders in Costa Rica. You will hike to a hidden waterfall, climb a volcano, ride horses, zip line through lush forests, ride river rapids, and spend time on pristine beaches. We’ll even camp out on the beach one night and scout for breeding sea turtles.

Lodging Our Home Base is a large house on the outskirts of a coastal town in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.

Students stay in large gender-segregated rooms with two or three bunk beds and a private bathroom in each room.

In the afternoons, you can cool down after a day of work in our swimming pool.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Costa Rica alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012CostaRica

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

COSTA RICA

14-DAY LANGUAGE PROGRAM June 19 – July 2 Tuition: $3,199 Service hours: 30

There’s no better way to learn Spanish than living in the country and practicing with local children, while being coached in the classroom by experienced teachers. Designed for high school students, our GLA Experiential Language Curriculum ™ seamlessly integrates language into many aspects of the program, including community service and cultural activities. Our unique combination of classes and community service allows beginners to quickly learn the basics and gives advanced speakers the confidence to use their skills with native speakers. Students will have 45 hours of language immersion. In addition to language, you’ll also learn about Costa Rica culture through workshops on dance, cooking, music and social issues.

+ 1 858 771 0645 45 www.experienceGLA.com

COSTA RICA

Nature’s Kaleidoscope ™

ΩΩExperience massive biodiversity Ω Zip-line through the forest Ω Hike up to the crater of a volcano 46 Live in a remote biological research station Ω Volunteer at an impoverished village primary school Ω Learn to Ω identify species of tropical flora and fauna ΩFix trails in a experimental forestry station Ω Help reclaim lost forests

Five unique ecosystems.

One adventure.

See it with your own eyes.

We’re based in the Guanacaste Conservation Area – one of the most unique places on earth, with so much biodiversity that UNESCO, a UN body, named it a World Heritage Site. The conservation area, located directly on top of the Continental Divide, is where the Atlantic and Pacific ecosystems collide to create a natural kaleidoscope unmatched anywhere else in the world.

This is the ultimate nature lover’s program. We’ll spend one week in a lowland dry forest, a weekend on the beach, and then we’ll all move up to a tropical rain forest for the second week. At each location you’ll volunteer on meaningful projects and experience the magnificence of nature.

Community Service The first week we’ll work at an experimental forestry station where farmers come to learn about reclaimed deforested land. We’ll work with the team at the Guanacaste Conservation Area to reforest some of the region as well as fix up some of the hiking trails.

When we move up to the rain forest in the second week, we’ll work to refurbish a local school and play sports with the children.

Hands-on Learning

Adventure We’ll explore the region by hiking to the crater of a volcano, whitewater rafting down a jungle river, riding horses through the forest, relaxing on pristine beaches and bathing in a remote natural hot springs. We’ll even spend the weekend at a beautiful beachfront resort where you’ll be able to relax on the beach and go hike around an island.

Lodging In both locations, you’ll be living in rustic bunkhouses surrounded by nature. There are two bunk beds and a fan in each room. Bathrooms are not attached to the rooms and are shared by all students. Cold water showers and western style toilets are available. While both are very simple living conditions, the rain forest location has cooler temperatures.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Costa Rica alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012CostaRica

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

COSTA RICA

14-DAY PROGRAM June 24 – July 7 July 12 – July 25 August 5 – August 18 Tuition: $3,199 Service hours: 30

You’ll experience many of the distinct ecosystems of the region. While living in the dry forest, you’ll learn from experts about reforestation techniques, how to restore damaged land, and how to identify species of flora and fauna. Once we move to the rain forest, you’ll discover a whole new world of animals and plant life. You’ll also learn about Costa Rican culture, cooking and dance!

+ 1 858 771 0645 47 www.experienceGLA.com

COSTA RICA

Beachside Service Adventure

Ω48 ΩLive steps from an untouched beach Ω Ride inner tubes down a jungle river Ω Hike around the side of a volcano Ω Volunteer at an impoverished primary school Ω Zip-line through the forest

From the jungle to the classroom, experience all Costa Rica has to offer, and all you have to offer her Its name captures the richness of its nature and its spirit, but words pale in comparison to the real thing. Join us on the shores of the Pacific where you’ll volunteer at schools in underserved communities, and also help build hiking trails, clean up beaches and play sports with local children. Living on our sprawling beachfront Home Base will also give you the chance to enjoy sports, swimming, games, hiking and other outdoor activities with your new friends.

Community Service We’re working with an impoverished community where most people are farmers or fishermen. We’ll be working at the school where the local children study. We will teach English, sports or arts & crafts. In addition, we will assist in projects to improve the school’s infrastructure, such as building a playground or an outdoor basketball court. You’ll also have the opportunity to help build hiking trails, clean up beaches or play sports with local children.

Hands-on Learning Living in an authentic community is a great way to learn about Costa Rican culture. You’ll spend the afternoon with a local family, learn to dance salsa and cumbia, try exotic fruits and learn about current social issues in Costa Rica.

Adventure

Lodging Our Home Base is a beach resort used exclusively by GLA located just outside a rural community most travelers never visit. It’s a comfortable resort located on a peaceful bay on the Pacific Ocean. The Home Base has a private beach, swimming pool and many areas for sports. Three students share a comfortable bedroom with a private bathroom and fan. The eating area has a thatched roof and looks out over the swimming pools and is a stone’s throw from the ocean.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Costa Rica alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012CostaRica

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

COSTA RICA

10-DAY PROGRAM June 18 – June 27 June 30 – July 9 July 12 – July 21 July 25 – August 3 August 6 – August 15 Tuition: $1,999 Service hours: 20

Costa Rica offers many exciting excursions in a natural setting. We’ll ride inner tubes down a roaring river, zip line through a forest and soak in a natural hot springs. We’ll also hike up an active volcano, kayak to nearby islands, as well as ride horses through a jungle paradise.

Our location on a private beach resort allows us space for impromptu soccer and volleyball games as well as a variety of water sports.

+ 1 858 771 0645 49 www.experienceGLA.com

COSTA RICA

Spring Break Service Adventure

Ω50 ΩHelp to refurbish a school Ω Hike around an active volcano Ω Ride horses to a waterfall Ω Explore a rainforest teeming with life Ω Learn Latin dance rhythms

This Spring Break, go way off the beaten path... to the Costa Rican rainforest for an unforgettable adventure!

Costa Rica is known for its rich biodiversity, lush vegetation and friendly people.

Spend the week living high in a mountain in a real tropical rainforest. You’ll engage in meaningful volunteer work as well as hike through a forest, soak in hidden hot springs, zip line through the tree tops and ride down raging rivers.

Community Service Volunteer in a rural school located way up on the side of a mountain, near the edge of the rain forest. We’ll spend the week refurbishing the school, engaging kids in conversational English and also playing sports and doing other informal educational activities. More than just fixing a school, you’ll become a friend and a role model to students who have little exposure to outsiders.

Hands-on Learning 8-DAY PROGRAM March 31 – April 7 April 7 – April 14 Tuition: $1,699 Service hours: 15

Because we’ll be living near the edge of the rain forest, you’ll discover a whole new world of animals and plant life. Go on treks with a naturalist guide and learn about medicinal plants, collect new species of flora and fauna, and even meet a local scientist. Besides the natural environment, you’ll also learn about Costa Rican culture, cooking and dance!

Lodging

Adventure Costa Rica is an adventure seeker’s paradise. We’ll hike to the crater of a volcano, zip line through the tops of a forest, ride down a roaring river, and take hikes through the rain forest to natural hot springs tucked into the mountainside. These excursions are a fun way to experience the biodiversity packed into the small, peaceful country.

You’ll be living in a rustic bunkhouse on the edge of a forest. There are two bunk beds and a fan in each room.

Bathrooms are not attached to the rooms and are shared by all students. Cold water showers and western style toilets are available. While living conditions are simple, you’ll feel refreshed, relaxed and connected to nature while living here.

http://on.fb.me/2012CostaRica

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

COSTA RICA

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Costa Rica alumni, or visit:

+ 1 858 771 0645 51 www.experienceGLA.com

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Building a Sustainable World ™

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ΩΩVolunteer to implement ecologically sustainable projects in rural areas Ω Visit Haitian refugee communities Ω Hike to stunning waterfalls Ω Ride a catamaran in the Caribbean and explore pristine beaches Ω Meet dynamic leaders and NGOs implementing cutting-edge social programs Ω Explore the colonial city of Santo Domingo

Dive deep into issues in environmental sustainability and develop leadership skills to address humanity’s greatest environmental challenges Led by Dave Addison, our expert director, who holds his PhD in Global Sustainability, the group will meet with major NGOs and local leaders who are making great progress on sustainability in the Caribbean. You will be given the tools and support to design your own project as you collaborate with your peers to determine ways to empower change in a Dominican community, as well as in your home communities. You will evaluate the role of natural resources in your life and determine the vital purpose they play in the future of the world.

Community Service Our group will volunteer on various sustainability projects throughout the country including the construction of biomass stoves in rural communities, installation of water filtration devices and solar energy systems, and assisting in the development of agriculture and reforestation systems. In addition, you can share your talents doing arts and crafts, playing sports and games, and teaching basic conversational English with local children that our group will meet along the way. We’ll even visit a Haitian refugee camp and brighten the lives of those who have lost everything and now live in the Dominican Republic.

Hands-on Learning

Adventure We’ll get out and explore the tropical countryside through long hikes out to a chain of hidden waterfalls and remote villages. We’ll ride a catamaran in the Caribbean, zip line through virgin rain forest, snorkel through crystal blue waters and coral reefs, and sunbathe on pristine white sand beaches. In addition, we will explore urban life in the colonial capital, Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic is an ideal place for those looking for fun and adventure in the sun, while making a difference.

Lodging The GLA Home Base, 30 minutes east of Puerto Plata, along the north coast, is a gorgeous beachfront cluster of chalets around a swimming pool near the beach. There is a thatched roof dining area. Students will share a bedroom with other students. Each bedroom has a private bathroom. Food will be healthy, locally-grown organic food consisting of meats, beans, rice, vegetables, and fruit.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with DR alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012DRep

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

DOMINICAN Rep.

21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM June 29 – July 19 July 23 – August 12 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 50

Students will explore topics in environmental sustainability, the most critical issue of the 21st century. Through the service work and seminars, you will learn for yourself how to envision and change your life to become more sustainable. When we travel through the country, we’ll meet with officials from the UN, international NGOs, and grassroots organizations that are all working on the issue of sustainability. You’ll witness projects that will inspire you to delve deeper into this topic. You will also learn about the vibrant Dominican culture through music, dance and food.

+ 1 858 771 0645 53 www.experienceGLA.com

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Beachside Service Adventure

ΩΩPlay a key role in ecologically-sustainable development projects Ω Hike and scale a series of 12 spectacular waterfalls in the 54 rainforest Ω Snorkel among multi-colored fish Ω Ride a catamaran over crystal blue waters Ω Witness up-close the roles of dance, folklore and baseball in this society

Appreciate the beauty of the island and its people; be part of sustainable solutions to end its poverty To most visitors, the Dominican Republic is a travel destination famous for its enchanting resorts and beaches, as well as its friendly and vibrant people. But this Spanish-speaking country on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola is also a destination ripe for positive change.

You’ll spend ten days working directly with impoverished rural communities to better their lives: in the mountains, helping to build their water systems and homes, and in the lowlands, contributing to reforestation projects. Unmatched natural beauty and human interaction will allow you to share in the spirit and strength of the Dominican people.

Community Service Students will volunteer in rural and urban communities working on sustainable projects such as reforestation, construction of biomass stoves, and installation of water filtration systems. Students will also work with local children at refugee camps, sharing their talents doing arts and crafts, playing sports and games, and teaching basic conversational English. Most importantly, you will be a friend and role model to young children who have limited exposure to the rest of the world.

Hands-on Learning

Adventure We’ll get out and explore the tropical countryside through long hikes out to a chain of hidden waterfalls, ride a catamaran over the blue Caribbean sea, and check out the pristine white sand beaches and remote mountain villages.

Lodging The GLA Home Base, 30 minutes east of Puerto Plata along the north coast, is a gorgeous beachfront cluster of chalets around a swimming pool near the beach. There is a thatched roof dining area. Students will share a bedroom with one other student. Each bedroom has a private bathroom. Food will be healthy, locally-grown organic food consisting of meats, beans, rice, vegetables, and fruit.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with DR alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012DRep

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

DOMINICAN Rep.

10-DAY PROGRAM June 25 – July 4 July 7 – July 16 July 19 – July 28 July 31 – August 9 August 12 - August 21 Tuition: $2,199 Service hours: 25

Sustainable development has become a necessity for all of humanity. We must learn to live in harmony with our environment. Through the service work and seminars, you will learn for yourself how to envision and think about the home and life of your family. While living sustainably we will work to empower each other to become more sustainable in our practices. We will also learn about the vibrant Dominican culture – a mix of indigenous, African, and European - through music and dance and interactions with locals living in the villages and coastal communities.

+ 1 858 771 0645 55 www.experienceGLA.com

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Spring Break Service Adventure

56

ΩΩRide a catamaran over crystal blue waters Ω Hike to hidden waterfalls Ω Soak up the rhythms of the Caribbean Ω Lend a hand in the community

Spring Break will always be fun… but meaningful, too?

The Dominican Republic is home to the world’s most enchanting beaches, and is well known for its friendly and passionate people.

You’ll spend the week helping impoverished rural communities and also enjoy some fun in the sun hiking to waterfalls, riding a catamaran in the Caribbean, snorkeling through crystal blue waters and coral reefs, and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches.

Community Service Students will volunteer in rural communities in the mountains overlooking the coast. The service projects revolve around sustainable community development that improves the environment and the lives of the local people. You’ll build biomass stoves, plant trees and help rebuild shack homes. Along the way, you’ll become a friend to local children and engage in meaningful cultural exchange.

Hands-on Learning The Dominican Republic has a rich culture that combines African, indigenous and European traditions. You’ll experience it in a way that most travelers never get to see.

We’ll experience the culture by connecting directly with Dominicans through music, dance and sports. In addition, you’ll gain a deep understanding of sustainability and how development can happen in harmony with the environment.

8-DAY PROGRAM March 24 – March 31 March 31 – April 7 April 7 – April 14 April 14 – April 21 Tuition: $1,699 Service hours: 20

Adventure Spring Break promises to be an action-packed week full of activities such as hiking to waterfalls, ziplining through forests, cruising the ocean, and snorkeling in clear Caribbean waters.

Although a lot of fun, all these outdoor activities are connected to learning about environmental sustainability.

Lodging

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with DR alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012DRep

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

DOMINICAN Rep.

The GLA Home Base is a gorgeous beachfront cluster of chalets around a swimming pool near the beach. There is a thatched roof dining area. Students will share a bedroom with one other student. Each bedroom has a private bathroom. Food will be healthy, locally-grown organic food consisting of meats, beans, rice, vegetables, and fruit.

+ 1 858 771 0645 57 www.experienceGLA.com

GUATEMALA

Spanish, Service & Mayan Culture

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ΩΩTake your Spanish to the next level Ω Hike to the crater of a dormant volcano Ω Explore exciting works of indigenous art Ω Sample coffees straight from the source on an organic coffee plantation Ω Meet a traditional Mayan shaman

Where ancient civilization and vibrant modern culture combine, your language skills will soar Step directly into the 4,000 year old world of the Maya: a civilization rich with history, art, culture, and breathtaking mountain scenery. In Guatemala, you’ll learn first-hand about how Mayan traditions have both evolved and been preserved through a combination of globalization, civil wars and subsequent peace accords; see how grassroots community leaders are working to preserve their culture; get a glimpse of the complex relationships between Central America and the rest of the world.

This GLA Language Program integrates the Spanish language learning into all aspects of the experience, allowing students to take away more of the culture, and also leave more behind. From community service, to excursions, and cultural events, language is given a new context. Spanish class will never be the same.

Community Service You will spend the week volunteering at a local school refurbishing it and working with the children. The school is unique in that it is run by Mayan teachers and actively promotes indigenous language and culture. You will help out fixing up the school, painting or building the classrooms or organizing games with the students. In addition, you can share your talents doing arts and crafts, playing sports and games, and teaching basic conversational English.

Hands-on Learning

Adventure Through the three weeks, we’ll embark on a range of adventures and visit many small towns and villages along the way. Over the weekends we’ll visit Lake Atitlan, the Mayan market town Chichicastenango, archaeological ruins at Takalik Abaj, organic coffee farms, and the sacred Laguna Chicabal, located on the top of a dormant volcano. During the weekdays, we’ll meet with a traditional music group, visit a Mayan artist’s studio, try our hand at weaving colorful textiles and meet inspirational grassroots leaders. At the end of the program, we’ll spend a day in the charming colonial town of Antigua.

Lodging The GLA Home Base is a mountain lodge located on the outskirts of Xela. It offers students a peaceful escape as they are surrounded by beautiful countryside and majestic mountains. Students and staff live in rooms with 2-3 bunk beds per room.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Guatemala alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Guatemala

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

GUATEMALA

21-DAY LANGUAGE PROGRAM June 27 – July 17 July 20 – August 9 Tuition: $4,399 Service hours: 50

Learning Spanish is best when you’ll be able to practice it with native speakers in everyday conversation. Spanish is integrated into most aspects of the program – community service, excursions, and cultural events. It is a unique immersion curriculum that uses classroom time to prepare students to speak Spanish in everyday situations during community service or cultural activities. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required; you’ll be placed according to your ability. You will receive approximately 60 hours of Spanish immersion over the three weeks.

+ 1 858 771 0645 59 www.experienceGLA.com

GUATEMALA

Children of the Maya ™

ΩΩVolunteer at a Mayan school Ω Journey across sacred Lake Atitlan Ω Attend a ceremony with a Mayan shaman Ω Explore 60

ancient archaeological ruins Ω Shop at the largest indigenous craft market in the hemisphere

See the world of the Maya through the eyes of a future generation Observing the traditions of an ancient culture, while navigating an increasingly globalized world is the exciting challenge of this, and future generations. Experience and interact with the art, artifacts, landscape, and inspiring young minds of Guatemala in this immersive program.

Based in Quetzaltenango (or “Xela” – shay-lah – as it’s referred to by locals), four hours from the capital city, students will get to know the Xelaju people in this historically-treasured town of great scenic beauty.

Community Service You will spend the week volunteering at a local school refurbishing it and working with the Mayan children. The school is unique in that it is run by Mayan teachers and actively promotes indigenous language and culture. You will help out fixing up the school painting or building the school as well as organizing games with the students. In addition, you can share your talents doing arts and crafts, playing sports and games, and teaching basic conversational English.

Hands-on Learning

10-DAY PROGRAM June 25 – July 4 July 7 – July 16 July 19 – July 28 July 31 – August 9 Tuition: $1,999 Service hours: 20

Rural Guatemala is the perfect place to learn first-hand about living Mayan culture. We will meet a traditional shaman who will teach us about Mayan cosmology, and also learn about medicinal plants used by the Quiche people of the region. You’ll dive into Guatemala’s rich culture by learning how to make the colorful indigenous textiles, how to play the local music and even soak up art by indigenous painters. You will meet with grassroots leaders to learn about the challenges the Mayan community faces to preserve their heritage in the face of globalization.

Adventure

The GLA Home Base is a mountain lodge located on the outskirts of Xela. It offers students a peaceful escape as they are surrounded by beautiful countryside and majestic mountains. Students and staff live in rooms with 2-3 bunk beds per room.

Scan the code to join the facebook group and chat with Guatemala alumni, or visit: http://on.fb.me/2012Guatemala

Download a day-by-day schedule at experienceGLA.com/info

GUATEMALA

Xela is located near many important cultural treasures such as the famous Mayan ruins at Takalik Abaj. We’ll participate in a traditional ceremony with a Mayan shaman. We will visit Antigua, a charming colonial town with gorgeous colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, Lake Atitlan, which rests at the foot of three massive conical volcanoes, and Chichicastenango with the largest Mayan craft market in the world.

Lodging

+ 1 858 771 0645 61 www.experienceGLA.com

Staff Profiles

62

Andrew Motiwalla

Jessica Rose Miller

Andrew serves as the Executive Director of GLA. He has extensive experience operating international educational programs around the world. He served as Senior Vice President for the non-profit international volunteer program Cross-Cultural Solutions, where he helped build programs from scratch into a network of 14 countries and 2,500 volunteers. Andrew is a graduate of Lawrence University and has done graduate studies in nonprofit management at New School University in New York City. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese. In addition to international education, he enjoys studying languages, anthropology and technology, and loves spending time with his two daughters at their home in San Diego.

Jessica is our Director of Admissions & Programs; she oversees the entire enrollment, pre-departure coordination process and program staff.

Jessica has a passion for international education and social entrepreneurship that stems from experiences living and working abroad. Jessica is a graduate of Oregon State University, where she studied History, Anthropology and Spanish. After graduating, she worked as an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Cantabria in northern Spain. She has directed GLA programs in Brazil, Ghana, Tanzania, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Costa Rica, China, Peru and South Africa.

Mike Shangkuan

Vince Bayard

Mike is the Managing Director of GLA. Although he was born and raised in New Jersey, he is the son of parents who emigrated from Taiwan. His passion for travel and immersing himself in other cultures began in high school when he took his first trip outside of the States to France. It was a life-changing experience. Since then he has lived in eight countries across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Mike is fluent in Mandarin and Spanish and likes to travel, lift weights, and sing in his free time. He has a BA in Economics from Yale and a MBA from Harvard Business School.

Vince is the Sr. Admissions Coordinator for GLA. He received a degree in Cultural Anthropology from San Francisco State University. Vince was on the administrative teams for both the San Diego Natural History Museum as well as the San Francisco Fine Art Museums. Vince has lived and worked in France where he organized educational programs for nonFrench citizens. He has organized these group tours in Spain, England, Italy, Canada, and Argentina as well as in the United States. He has a great passion for easing the travel process for students and families.

Bridget McFaul

Carly Tucker

Bridget is an Enrollment Advisor for GLA and has led programs in Brazil, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ghana, and Tanzania. She enjoys helping students find international experiences which will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Bridget has a deep passion for international relations, community service, and working with youth.

Carly is an Enrollment Advisor and Program Director for GLA. Carly has been to Australia, New Zealand, and numerous countries throughout Southeast Asia and Latin America. Through her travels she has learned to look at the world with open eyes while respecting all cultures. With a degree in Natural Resources from Oregon State University, Carly leads programs for GLA, spending the last two summers in Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. Carly believes strongly in experiential education as a means of inspiring youth to learn more about themselves and their world.

Sydney Miller

Lisa Likens

Sydney serves as an Enrollment Advisor for GLA. She believes that the future depends upon people being thoughtful, dedicated global citizens, and traveling abroad is one of the best ways to achieve this. She earned her BA from Oregon State University and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Additionally, she has staffed a GLA program in Costa Rica and hopes to help students fulfill their dreams of traveling to other countries as well.

Lisa is an Admissions Coordinator. She has staffed the GLA Dominican Republic program and traveled to Costa Rica and New Zealand as an international student volunteer. She is a graduate of San Diego State University and is thrilled to help high school students embark on volunteer and international experiences that will change their lives.

For more staff profiles, please see page 9.

FAQs For a more detailed FAQ, go to our website at www.experiencegla.com/program-details/faq How is GLA different from other programs?

GLA programs differ in the depth of experience we provide, giving what our students have coined a “life-changing experience.” We have five differentiating factors: our focus on safety through the GLA Five-Point Safety System™, Expert Staff, Full-Service Parent Support, the GLA Home Base (dedicated facilities for GLA students), and most importantly our secret sauce – The Service Learning Adventure™. To learn more about what makes GLA different, please take a look at pages 4-11.

How do you help ensure safety?

Safety is our #1 priority. Because we work only with high school age students, we are aware of the unique safety issues and concerns of this age group. That’s why GLA has implemented the GLA Five-Point Safety System ™: 1) Safe and Secure Lodging, 2) Caring Supervision, 3) Healthy Meals and Pure Water, 4) Safe and Comfortable Transportation, and 5) Expert Local Knowledge. To learn more about the GLA Five-Point Safety System ™, take a look at page 8.

How do you assess the safety of your destinations, and what happens if there is an incident that compromises the student’s safety?

call +1 858-771-0645 to ask an enrollment advisor for advice on fund raising. You can also log on to our Facebook Fan Page @ www.facebook.com/globalleadershipadventures and connect with other students who are fundraising.

Who meets my student in country?

GLA staff picks up every student at the airport upon arrival to the destination country. If the plane is delayed, they will wait until students arrive. Upon arrival, students will phone parents to inform them of their safe arrival. Students will either be provided with a phone card to phone home, or use a staff member’s mobile phone. Students are also encouraged to bring their own phones if possible.

Do you have references for your programs?

Yes! We have an extensive list of references which includes student, parent and teachers who you can contact via phone or email to learn about their GLA experience. To obtain a copy of our reference list please call us at +1 858 771 0645 or email info@experienceGLA.com How competitive is the application process to join a GLA program?

In addition to regular reports that we get from the US, Canadian and British Departments of State, we liaise with consular offices in the countries to which we travel. We also rely on our own in-country contacts: the people with whom we set up our programs and the current international and local staff with whom we work to determine the safety of a particular country. If we ever determine a country or region to be unsafe, we will close the program and fully refund all enrolled students.

We do not have a specific GPA requirement or test score. We require essays and an evaluation to determine the fit of a student for a GLA program. Our intention is not to restrict participation on our programs. The application process is a time where we can assess if the needs and desires of the student are aligned with what GLA offers. Ensuring that students and parents have the correct expectations about the program will allow all parties to avoid misunderstanding later on.

What happens if a student gets sick or injured?

What is the admissions process?

We work with emergency response service providers, and have carefully researched in-country medical facilities. GLA purchases secondary emergency medical insurance and evacuation insurance for all students while they are in our program. If a student becomes ill, we respond immediately to ensure appropriate medical care. If it is determined that a higher level of care is necessary than can be provided in the country, the student will be evacuated.

Apply online www.experienceGLA.com/apply or with a downloadable paper application. There are three required parts of the application: $395 deposit ($30 nonrefundable application fee, $365 deposit applied toward total tuition), two short essays, and one student self-evaluation. Once an application has been submitted our admissions staff will review it and inform you about acceptance within two business days. Once enrolled, you will receive all pre-departure information and required paperwork.

How do students travel to the destination country?

When is the GLA application deadline?

Once you enroll in a program, we will provide exact information about which airport to fly into and any restrictions in terms of arrival times. However, for students coming from the USA who wish to fly together with other students, we offer a suggested group flight itinerary for each program. This flight departs out of a US gateway city. This is not a chaperoned flight, but students can meet at this gateway and fly to the destination country together. Once you enroll in a program, we will provide the suggested group flight information to you.

We do not have an official deadline. We have a rolling admissions process. As long as we have space on specific programs, we will continue to review applications until 30 days before a program start date. Some programs fill up very quickly and have group size limitations. We recommend applying early to secure spots on programs. Please check specific program details for group sizes.

Can I fund raise?

Absolutely. GLA has extensive experience designing customs programs for high schools, families, clubs, universities, and other types of groups. Our Program Managers will work with you to create a program that matches the unique goals and topics you want to address. We can provide you with promotional materials, speak with prospective families and students, and send out necessary predeparture information. In country, we take care of all logistics. To inquire about a custom program, please call 1-858-771-0645 or e-mail us at groups@experiencegla.com.

You can absolutely fund raise. Every year, students fund raise a part or all of their tuition. We have a kit full of ideas and letter templates you can use to help you fund raise. Please e-mail info@ experiencegla.com for one, visit www.experienceGLA.com/fundraising for more information, or

Do you offer custom programs for groups?

+ 1 858 771 0645 63 www.experienceGLA.com

Find the Program that Fits Your Interests GLA has more than 50 sessions to choose from. Find the programs that focus on your topics of interest.

For Students Interested In A F RIC A Ghana: Children of Africa Tanzania: Heart & Soul of Africa A S IA Bali: Journey of Arts & Service Thailand: Cultural Kaleidoscope India: Majestic Civilization China: Mandarin Service Adventure S O U T H A ME R I CA Galapagos: Preserving Nature's Wonders Peru: Service in the Sacred Valley C E N T RA L A ME R I CA & CA R I BB E A N Costa Rica: Spanish Service Adventure Costa Rica: Nature's Kaleidoscope Costa Rica: Beachside Service Adventure Costa Rica: Spring Break Service Adventure Dominican Republic: Building a Sustainable World Dominican Republic: Beachside Service Adventure Dominican Republic: Spring Break Service Adventure Guatemala: Children of the Maya Guatemala: Spanish, Service & Mayan Culture

1= a little; 2=some, 3=a lot

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Language Learning

International Relations

Poverty Alleviation

Environment & Ecology

Leadership Activities

Children Issues

Traditional Culture

Animals & Wildlife

Public Health

Sports

How to Apply

Need more Information to Enroll?

Here are several ways for you to learn more about our programs.

1

Call us at +1 858-771-0645 Our staff have been on the programs and can help you decide which program is right for you!

Visit our Website Go to www.experiencegla.com/apply

3

2

Hold a space in the program Hold a space in a program by completing the Online Application Form. Submit a $395 deposit using our secure online system (Visa or Mastercard accepted) or mail a check to Global Leadership Adventures, 3636 Camino del Rio North, Suite 120, San Diego, CA 92108. You may also call +1 858-771-0645 from 9am - 6pm PST to submit credit card information over the phone. $30 of the $395 deposit is the application fee and the remaining $365 will be applied to the total balance due.

Complete the Online Application Before a final admission decision can be made, we need a completed application. After the application fee is paid, you will be asked to create a password to access your online application. You can then log into your account to complete the rest of the application. A completed application includes: - Signed Agreement Forms - Written Essays

Part of the application process is for you to evaluate yourself as an applicant. This allows us to get to know you better in terms of how you think and your learning style. It also ensures your motivations and interests are aligned with what the program offers.

We review completed applications in two business days and notify students of final decisions by e-mail. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact us for an application to be e-mailed or faxed to you.

Attend an Open House, Summer Fair, or Webinar Our staff, student alumni, and parents will be at these presentations to share their experiences and answer questions. Go to www.experienceGLA.com/meetup for details. To RSVP, call +1 858-771-0645 or e-mail rsvp@experienceGLA.com.

Check out our website: www.experienceGLA .com Chat with former and future students on Facebook Join a GLA Country Facebook group. We have created communities for students to interact. You’ll be able to ask questions of past participants. Check out photos and videos. (high school students only).

Main Page http://on.fb.me/glahome Ghana http://on.fb.me/2012Ghana Tanzania http://on.fb.me/2012Tanzania Peru http://on.fb.me/2012Peru Galapagos http://on.fb.me/2012Galapagos Costa Rica http://on.fb.me/2012CostaRica

Dominican Rep. Guatemala Bali India China Thailand

http://on.fb.me/2012DRep http://on.fb.me/2012Guatemala http://on.fb.me/2012Bali http://on.fb.me/2012India http://on.fb.me/2012-China http://on.fb.me/2012Thailand

Speak with references Call 1-858-771-0645 or e-mail info@experienceGLA.com to get the reference list.

Refund Policy Up to five months prior to program: all but $30 application fee is refundable.

Four months prior: 75% of total program fee is refundable.

Three month prior: 50% of total program fee is refundable.

Two months prior: 25% of total program fee is refundable.

Less than two months prior: non of the program fee is refundable.

+ 1 858 771 0645 65 www.experienceGLA.com

Find the Program that Fits Your Summer GLA has more than 50 programs to choose from. Here’s a timeline to help you figure out which programs work in your schedule.

july

june

august

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Children of Africa

Children of Africa

F

Children of Africa

F

Children of Africa Heart & Soul of Africa

Heart & Soul of Africa Heart & Soul of Africa

F

Heart & Soul of Africa

F

Heart & Soul of Africa

F

Children of Africa

Children of Africa

F

The Africa Initiative

F

Heart & Soul of Africa

F M

M

The Africa Initiative

M

The Africa Initiative M

The Africa Initiative F

Journey of Arts & Service

F

Journey of Arts & Service

Journey of Arts & Service Cultural Kaleidoscope

F

Cultural Kaleidoscope Majestic Civilization

F

Cultural Kaleidoscope Majestic Civilization

F Majestic Civilization

F

F

Mandarin Service Adventure

L

Mandarin Service Adventure

L

Giants of the 21st Century

M M

Seeking Nirvana Preserving Nature’s Wonders

Preserving Nature’s Wonders Service in the Sacred Valley

Service in the Sacred Valley

Preserving Nature’s Wonders Preserving Nature’s Wonders Service in the Sacred Valley F

F

M

Land of Discovery Nature’s Kaleidoscope Beachside Service Adventure

Nature’s Kaleidoscope

Beachside Service Adventure

Spanish Service Adventure

L

Beachside Service Adventure

Nature’s Kaleidoscope

Beachside Service Adventure

Spanish Service Adventure

L

Beachside Service Adventure

F L

Beachside Service Adventure

Spanish Service Adventure

Beachside Service Adventure

Building a Sustainable World Children of the Maya Children of the Maya Spanish, Service & Mayan Culture

Beachside Service Adventure

L

Beachside Service Adventure

Beachside Service Adventure F

Building a Sustainable World

Children of the Maya Children of the Maya Spanish, Service & Mayan Culture

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* Spring Break Programs available in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

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Ghana

Ta n z a n i a

Bali

Thailand

In d i a

China

Galapagos

Peru

A FRI C A

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S O U T H A MERI C A

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Multi

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Co s t a R i c a D o m in i c a n R e p. G u a t e m a l a C EN T R A L A MERI C A

Our Expectations Our mission at GLA is “to inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it.� To that end, we expect GLA students to maintain high standards of personal behavior and to be open-minded. The culture will be different, sometimes shockingly so. We expect everyone to respect and learn from these differences. GLA will challenge students as they are expected to work hard and really be present physically and mentally for all activities. They will get hot, dirty and bug bitten along the way, but their contribution will transform the community. The goal is for each student to return home with a life-changing experience.

GLA has a no tolerance policy toward drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and disruptive behavior. Those who violate or are suspected of violating this policy will be immediately dismissed from the program at the sole discretion of GLA staff.

GLA makes every effort to offer well-thought-out programs crafted for high school students and we do thorough planning. However, the descriptions in this catalog and itineraries are based on previous programs and plans for the coming year. Actual order of activities may vary by program session depending upon the needs of our local community partners, various celebrations and customs, and the weather. Occasionally, activities may be replaced by other activities.

Life-Changing Journeys for High School Students

Custom Programs for Groups Global Leadership Adventures works with school groups and community organizations to offer custom service-learning programs in our worldwide network of programs. Our staff will work with you every step of the way to help you recruit and prepare your students.

Tailored to You

5-Step Process

Whether you teach Spanish, science, history or are a faculty advisor to a student group, GLA staff will work with you to create a program that matches the unique goals and topics you want to address. Custom programs can range from a few days to a few weeks, and are always assembled with great care and led by our experienced staff. Our US staff has worked extensively in all of our countries and our local staff has deep roots and a wide web of connections in their countries. We will definitely be able to tailor a program to fit your interests.

Contact us to learn about our 5-Step Process for setting up and running your custom group program. We support you every step of the way with promotional materials, video conferences or whatever you require; we just require an enthusiastic sponsor who will dedicate energy to make this happen.

Contact Vince Bayard, Groups Coordinator today to get started: groups@experienceGLA.com

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Global Leadership Adventures 3636 Camino del Rio North, Suite 120 San Diego, California 92108 USA

photo credits: Carol della Croce, Eve Oppenheimer, Leah Muskin-Pierret, Zao Wang, Lauren Allik, Emily Putnam, Abby Freemire, Ryan Feinstein, Brandon Grant, Carol Chan, Jan Marc Castlunger, Sadie Dix, Katherynn Deus, Brooke Robinson. catalog design and graphics: Carol della Croce

19 mm

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FSC LABEL STATEME MIXED SOURCES sources mixtes XX%

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Product group from well-manage forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fiber.

Groupe de produits issus de forê bien gérées, de sources contrôlé et de bois ou fibres recyclés.

Apply Online www.experienceGLA.com/apply

Questions? Call or e-mail us. +1 858 771 0645 | +1 888 358 4321 | info@experienceGLA.com