Global Explorers Blog 
Think: Possible…When It Comes to Travelling!
Recently a good friend of mine moved to Switzerland. My husband and I have been talking about how much fun it would be to go visit him, but we’ve also been daunted by trying to save for a trip to Europe in the current economy. These days, it seems spare cash is hard to find and the $2000 worth of plane tickets plus money to spend during the trip seems like a lot to come up with during the next year, which is how long our friend will be there.
We’re also taking a financial planning class, and a recent lesson helped me to put into perspective saving for this type of trip or any big thing you want. The class advised when you name your savings accounts with the things you want to save for, you’re more apt to put extra money into them. It turns out this is pretty easy to do. Most online banking software allows you to name your different accounts whatever you want. For years, my meager savings account has simply been labeled “Savings.” In and of itself, that particular title is terribly motivational when I’m deciding if I want to get my fourth lunch out for the week, a new record or a good bottle of wine. However, we’ve now switched the account to be called “We’re Going to Switzerland.” Just that one simple change, has helped us to save $500 in six weeks. All of the sudden, it’s a little easier to choose to eat in, and throw an extra $5 or $10 at our trip, because we’re visualizing it.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Katie Watkins · November 28, 2011
An Ethical Dilemma on the Table
One of my greatest passions in life is cross-cultural exchange. I’ve spent a good portion of the past decade seeking out engaging international experiences; uncovering new traditions, art, and foods is my idea of a good time.
When I am a guest in another culture, I strive to be as considerate as possible. But it’s a challenge—I am a novice, a sudden social dilettante, and a representative of my identities: female, Caucasian, American. As my best self, I try to bridge the cultural crevice that looms between my hosts and me. And I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Sharing a meal is an incredible opportunity to make progress on construction of that bridge. If you have read any travel memoir, then you’ve encountered the requisite description of a shared meal that brings the guest and host together in an almost magical way. But for me, an invitation to a meal abroad, whether planned or impromptu, always floods me with apprehension.
That’s because nearly all the meals involve meat.
And my other great passion in life is animals. That’s right, I am one of those people. I possess a deep compassion for animals for reasons that I can’t logically explain. I am known to exhibit childlike delight in their presence—whether it’s your pet dog, the village goat, or a wild elephant. It matters not. I am smitten with their beauty, innocence, and intriguing behavior as inhabitants of a world within our own. This sensitivity to animals has led me to a vegan* lifestyle. Yep, I suppose I’m definitely one of those.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Laura Portalupi · November 9, 2011
Partners with Passion!
Spotlight: AFAR Foundation, the Pearson Foundation, and Schlumberger
In 2009 Global Explorers began a partnership with the AFAR Foundation to decrease barriers to travel for low-income high school students. The result? Learning AFAR—a program that in its first year engaged 20 students and two educators from New York City and Oakland, CA in exciting, experiential learning focused on responsible global citizenship, the highlight of which was an expedition to Costa Rica.
The partnership is a natural fit for two organizations that share very similar missions. AFAR is devoted to experiential travel, which connects individuals with the authentic essence of a place and its people, deepening individuals’ understanding of the world, its cultures, and themselves. Global Explorers’ mission is to inspire responsible global citizenship by providing life-changing travel experiences for students and educators of all abilities and backgrounds.
The inaugural Learning AFAR travelers returned home with wonderful stories and new ideas about the world and their place within it. The program was a great success.
However, both AFAR and GEx dreamed of building a platform where other interested organizations and individuals could help to provide travel scholarships to youth who would not otherwise be able to explore our world.
