Global Leadership Adventures - San Diego, California

Erich L.

Last summer, from July 19 to August 1, 2024, I did Peru: Foundations of Global Health with Global Leadership Adventures. It was an unforgettable experience. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but it ended up being one of those experiences that sticks with you. I got 35 hours of community service volunteering with MedLife, a non-profit that sets up pop-up clinics in these rural Quechua villages way up in the Andes. My friends and I, all of which I’d met on the trip, worked together to bring healthcare and some basic know-how to people who don’t get much of either. It was such a real and candid experience.

Every day was different. Throughout the two weeks, I was involved in different sectors of healthcare such as triage, hygiene talks, education sessions, general medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, shadowing doctors, and jumping in where I could. The first time I took someone’s blood pressure in triage, I was a nervous wreck, but the nurse I was with just gave me this look like, “You got this,” and it clicked. Everyone on the trip wants to see every student succeed. By the end, I was handing out meds in the pharmacy like it was no big deal after a few days of experience. We also taught children how to brush their teeth which might be a small thing, but you could tell it meant a lot to them since many didn't know how. The smiles, especially from the little ones, were core in deciding what I wanted to do in my future.

The people I met were one of the most unforgettable parts. I walked in not knowing anyone, and somehow I came out with friends I still talk and hang out with today. We’d laugh, mess up Spanish together, share similar passions, and just vibe after long days. It was this group that made me feel like I could handle anything. GLA set it up so I could push myself without freaking out, and I came back way more confident like... I know what I’m capable of now.

If you’re thinking about GLA’s Peru program, just go for it. It’s not only about helping out (which is awesome) but about figuring yourself out and connecting with people and places you’d never expect. I’d do it again in a second, no question.

Shari C.

The cool thing about GLA is that unlike some of the other volunteer abroad companies, GLA values in also allowing the students to have a say so in what they want to do, so on top of being an extremely organized program they also get the students involved by allowing them to lead their own programs, hence Global LEADERSHIP adventures smile emoticon. I had a great time in each of the locations (Costa Rica, Thailand, and India) that I've traveled with them to, definitely would suggest them to people.

Amber U. -. R. B. T.

COVID 19 - GLA has cancelled all trips which I understand, families had to have the entire trip paid for by the end of December 2019, and now the trip is cancelled and they will not give a refund...when I called in today, I was told they spent all of the families money, and could only offer a credit. I asked if you already spent the money how could you guarantee you program/business would be around in a year...he could not. I was told I should have bought travel insurance...this is unacceptable. I would like my money returned.

todd C.

Rudy B.

Lance Z.