Parent/Student Testimonials

Thank you Global Works for a wonderful, successful, and enriching experience for Sarah on Costa Rica I.  She returned with much improved Spanish skills, a deeper understanding of the Spanish culture, and a wider vision of the world as a whole.  She formed wonderful, new friendships with her peers and with the Costa Rican families. She greatly enjoyed her homestay experience and the multitude of outdoor adventures that were so well planned and organized on this trip. The group leaders were very professional, available, and attentive to every need of both the participant and their parents. Whenever we had a concern we could easily email the group director in country and get a response that same day. The home office was extremely accommodating and available whenever we had questions or requests prior to departure and throughout the course of the trip. When we made last minute flight changes the in country staff responded immediately to facilitate the change. Overall, this trip was one of the most professionally organized and responsibly handled teen tours we've experienced. Keep up the great work...we hope Sarah will see you again. 
 

It was a wonderfully prepared trip. The homestay was very meaningful to her and contributing to the town's upkeep via community service projects.  It's an extraordinary experience---personally; with new connections with local people and fellow travelers and physically; many thrilling and physically demanding adventures.  An outstanding trip!!  Paul Fulton
 

When Emily stepped off the plane, she was bubbling over with stories about her experiences in Puerto Rico. She really felt like she made a difference in people's lives, and actually enjoyed the concrete work! There was a great balance between work and play, and Emily particularly liked the family style accommodations and the food!  The pre-trip communications were fine. Overall, however, the trip was first-rate in all respects. Thanks again, Jill Stern
 

Bonding with a great group of kids and adult leaders. Living with a Kiwi family on Aroha Island and really experiencing life in rural New Zealand.  Global works brings enthusiastic, energetic and community minded nice kids together with enthusiastic, energetic and  caring adult leaders to share an adventure, open themselves to new experiences and people,test their capabilities and learn more about people outside their home communities. Great job! Elyse had a fantastic time (and she's a tough customer!)  Heidi Tyson 
 

The homestay improved my spanish so much, and the community made me feel so welcomed and comfortable they were amazing and i will never be able to forget that expeirence. It also was difficult at times but it made me have to reanalyze myself for the better.
When I signed up for the trip I was really nervous about it. But it was such a fun trip and I hope to take another one next year, and the kids are amazing, and costa rica is beautiful ... and honestly there is no way not to have the best time ever... THANX FOR AN AMAZING TRIP!  - Megan Nashban
 

My time in rio celeste was life-changing. It was the best, most memorable, meaningful experience of my life.
You're in for way more than you expect. You'll have the time of your life. Emily Iason
 

I think the program was a fantastic experience.  Sarah absolutely loved every minute of it.  She thought the counselors were wonderful, the other kids were all great.  Whenever she describes her experience she uses the word awesome.  Please fell free to use me as a parent who could highly recommend your program.  We are now trying to get my 14 year old to go next year. Dede Leff
 

The presentation by Suzanne?? -( sorry to have forgotten her name - but I haven't forgotten her great energy) - was very personal and sold us both on the trip.  Joanna thought the group leaders were awesome.  Loved and bonded well with her peer group.  Two valuable experiences for her - first was that she went willing to "be herself" and learned that this not only works, but gives back to her in big ways.  The other was receiving the warmth and generosity of her Fijian hosts - which was beyond anything she had ever known.   She learned through experience the value and potential of community living beyond our own cultural trappings.  She would love to go back there "forever".Otherwise - the trip was more powerful than she had ever imagined.  Thanks for providing Joanna with such a unique adventure. Gail Horvath
 

It's not a holiday..............  But it is very rewarding when you are made to feel that what you are doing does make a difference.. Young people need to feel self worth and pride in what they do.  And this program gave that to Natasha.  She was amazed at how these people opened not only their homes but their hearts to all of them and accepted them into their own families.  She can't wait to go back......................Monica Gonzales
 

I had such a fantastic time on the trip.  Every experience was completely different from any other that I'd ever had.  I never imagined that I'd find myself lying on the floor weaving a mat in a remote village in Fiji, reflecting contentedly upon a day filled with village bazaars, building a foundation for a school, and living and interacting with the Fijian people, whom we discovered are some of the warmest, most wonderful people on earth. Every single second of our trip was spectacular in its own, unparalleled way.  Thank you so much for providing us with a summer that I'm certain none of us will ever forget.  Already counting down the days till next summer's trip, Lindsay Lane
 

Let me begin by saying the our daughter, Cory Lopez, had an absolutely fantastic time in Puerto Rico this summer. She loved the counselors, the other kids, Tita and her husband and basically everything else about the trip. It was a tremendously positive experience in every way and we would highly recommend your program to other families.  Most valuable aspects: We especially appreciated having Cory spend time working and living with people who live with far less than she is accustomed to. We were pleasantly surprised to find that Cory did not complain about the absence of luxuries she takes for granted at home (like warm showers and air conditioning) and thrived in the communal setting. She loved working to improve the housing for the people in Villa Sin Miedo and felt tremendous pride in the group's accomplishments. (We hear they mixed and poured 60 bags of cement!) What would I convey to other parents? Just this: My daughter came off the plane saying, "It was the most amazing trip ever.  I want to do another trip with Global Works next summer."  Shelley Levine &  Jerry Lopez
 

The most valuable aspect was the group independence that they had. They handled many new experiences on their own that never would have occurred here.
Both my boys went on the France trip and it was probably the most defining time of their teen life. They both had the time of their lives and returned different than when they left. Their self confidence and maturity increased tremendously. They both spent 7 yrs. each at overnight camp in Maine, but this single Globalworks trip was worth more than all those camp years combined. I'm still amazed at all that Globalworks manages to allow the children to benefit from in a 1 month trip: historic art and architecture in Paris, traveling by plane, train and ferry with peers, the sense of community service and having given back to the community, fending for themselves in a foreign city, incredible language immersion, truly experiencing another culture with the homestay family, the self-confidence building of the adventures in the alps as well as seeing the beauty of nature, the memories of fun times with a group of strangers that become like family, and last but not least....the laughter.   Thank you all for the work that you do. I did so much research on youth trips for my boys and I know I found the one that offers the most rewarding experiences. None come even close. You're truly a miracle.  Jane Goldstein
 

Our son Derek had the most wonderful time on the France 2 program this summer.  It was the best trip that he has ever been on.  He made a lot of friends, he loved his homestay family in Carcassonne, he learned a lot about France, and the most important thing is his French improved considerably.  We would highly recommend Global Works program to anyone.  Thank you for doing such an outstanding job!
According to my son the trip was very well planned.  The most valuable aspects of the trip were: homestay and community service.  We would highly recommend Global Works programs to any future students and families.  Again thank you very much for giving Derek such a wonderful time this summer.    Mr. & Mrs. Flanzraich
 

Communication was excellent.  Everything was clear and well planned out. The most valuable aspects of the trip were meeting new friends who became like family and gaining a new perspective on how other cultures live.  I also feel I gained a lot of self confidence and want to travel more.  Go for it!  It's a trip worth taking and you'll have fun. My trip was a ten on a ten scale!  Michael Walzman
 

It is the most amazing month of your life. It was a perfect combination of rewarding community service (that was fun at the same time), adventure and meeting extremely cool people. Almost everything on the trip was perfect and there was hardly a moment when I wasn't having fun, even when I was carrying cinderblocks in 98 degree weather. And on top of that I had the best leaders in the entire world. I have never met three nicer, funnier and cooler people in my entire life. They were absolutely perfect: they got along with us perfectly and never seemed to have a bad day. Daria, Ryan and Tommo are just amazing people and I miss them so much!!!! 
Elyse T.
 

It made me feel less like a tourist and more like a local Kiwi. If you are at all questioning going on a Global Works program definitely do it, it is the greatest and most fun experience I have ever had. It is an amazing experience to feel like you belong in another country and to be able to help out so much outside of the US. All the kids and leaders on my trip were the best along with everyone we met in New Zealand and all our villagers in Fiji.  Cass Osterweil
 

The social experience of meshing with a group of kids for a month was great for our son.  The home stay was great.  The team building was great.  A great opportunity to have a good time and do good work.  Nathan had a great month.  Thank you.  Galen Weiser 
 

Jonny will be talking about this trip for the months to come, I'm sure.   One valuable aspect was that Jonny, a city kid, more or less, seemed to appreciate some of nature's beauty.  When he began a sentence one evening with "when I was sitting on the rock watching the sunset" I was beside myself!  Heactually was able to be in that moment - that's a growth thing.  Another, was that Jonny so enjoyed and related to the staff.  He reported that he had a few talks with Jay; Jay must have made him feel 'heard' and valued; I could tell by the way Jonny spoke of his dealings with him.  We're now buying a book Jay recommended!  Push your kid to do something he might not choosehimself.  Stretch them, and if they can do a service for those in need, and learn to work as a team, they will be so enriched.  I really think Jonny came back just a little bit different.  Thank you for 'stretching' him!  I hope your crew enjoyed him, as well.  I would love to hear from them.  Charlotte Lurie


This letter is to let you know what a wonderful summer Scott had in your Spain 2 program.  If you ever need a student to give an official recommendation about the program, do not hesitate to call Scott!  We were more than pleased with our communication with you prior to the trip. Scott thoroughly enjoyed immersing himself in the Spanish culture. His language knowledge surely improved.  He loved the food, the people, and the scenery. He even enjoyed the projects since they involved doing things he would not ordinarily do.  He made some good friends on the trip, both among the other participants and the Spanish people he met.  We would convey to future participants that the experience Scott had was a wonderful one. We know that Scott is already talking about a return visit to Spain.  Thanks! 
Mitchell Stern and Lucy Cohen (Scott Stern's parents)
 

Highly positive experience re: involvement/interaction/bonding with cultures and people she would not ordinarily meet, and satisfaction/thrill in making a difference in a community through her work. Of all the community service programs I've researched/heard about, Global Works is the most community-focused program, where the kids truly give back to the community by working and learning. Deanie absolutely loved every aspect of the program: the counselors were amazing, the work was gratifying and the experience like no other she's ever had!  We are so glad we chose Global Works, and please feel free to offer us as a reference.  Debi Hoxter

Reference names and contact  information for specific programs can be found in our brochure. Click here to have a brochure mailed to you.