What Do Educators Say?
Hans Cole Director of Outreach & Leadership, Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall Institute
Why Global Explorers?
We chose Global Explorers for a multitude of reasons, from the incredible staff, to the exciting travel destinations, to the level of experience/safety that the organization offers—but, perhaps the two most important reasons in my mind are the depth of the program’s content and the flexibility of the program staff to meet our needs. Global Explorer’s focus areas of service leadership, conservation biology and cultural studies mesh perfectly with our youth organization’s mission and goals. Further, we felt confident that Global Explorers would not simply pay lip service to these topics, but instead delve as deep as the youth participants were able to go. I also appreciate a program that thinks beyond the peak experience of the trip—preparation and follow-up are necessary if you want to see a real impact. On flexibility, Global Explorers went out of their way to develop a program that met our special needs—we wanted to focus heavily on youth leadership and service—Global Explorers provided the framework and the activities to meet that need. I have traveled extensively, through Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America—I have led youth trips and programs in the U.S., Russia, and Germany—and, I can honestly say that the Global Explorers trip was one of the best organized trips I’ve ever participated in.
What were your favorite parts of the experience?
Without a doubt, it was the community interactions—the service projects that we did in the village of Sapo Playa were incredible! We painted a school, helped build an outdoor classroom/ thatched gazebo, planted gardens, played soccer, shared thoughts and experiences with the older students—it was absolutely amazing. I have had several students tell me that they would love to come back, study in the area, do more service—or, even live and work in a place like Sapo Playa. Having so much time to interact with the community meant that the students had time to feel a bond developing with the people and the place. I know that when these youth return to their communities, they will say that they were able to make a connection, begin to understand a new culture, and work side by side with local people to make a difference. Of course, the explorations into the ecology of the rainforest provided a breathtaking context for the cultural interaction—in a way, I left feeling that you can’t have one without the other.
What did your students learn?
The most common shared element that I have discovered since returning from the trip, listening to all of our youth participants, was that they were challenged…that they pushed themselves on some level through this experience. For one student, it was testing the limits of her Spanish abilities by having our entire group rely on her as a translator and discussion leader—and finding that she was capable of communicating important ideas to youth and adults…for another, it was getting used to the physical challenge of a new environment—and discovering that he was able to work all day in the heat, loving it the whole time, and still have energy for a soccer match with locals at the end of the day—for another, it was more of an intellectual challenge, being confronted with a “simple” way of life, one with fewer material possessions and luxuries like that of the residents of Sapo Playa—and realizing that this life can be as fulfilling and perhaps even more satisfying than our lives in the U.S. Although the nature of the challenge differed with the individual, the common result was greater understanding and opportunity for growth.
Why International Travel?
I believe that international travel, and more importantly, international experience that combines travel with cultural exchange, service, and ecological awareness, is becoming more and more critical in the education of the coming generations of youth. In so many ways, our world is shrinking—through technological innovations, the internet, email, cell phones…all of these things are helping connect people with great speed and across incredible distances. But, while these innovations launch us forward, there still remain problems, issues and concerns that require deeper understanding and personal interaction to solve. Working for an international organization, the Jane Goodall Institute, I see every day how difficult it is to develop working relationships with people across the globe. Until, that is, I have met them face to face, eaten a meal with them, worked side by side with them on a project, or shared their home or community for even a few days. We can connect with people on a surface level with ease—but, to truly change the way we interact and share this world, I believe we have to go beyond that surface, towards mutual understanding and deeper relationships. Given the access and opportunities that we have in this country to engage in international travel, it would be irresponsible not to find some way to share this experience with the youth who participate in our programs. The potential for change and growth is enormous — for the individuals involved, for the communities on both sides, and for the development of a future global community.
Final Thoughts?
Having completed the Peru experience, I take so many highlights home with me: the thrill of walking hundreds of feet up in the rainforest canopy, the humbling feeling gazing up at a night sky crowded with stars, the pride in seeing our youth leaders working hard to squeeze the most out of their time and experience on the program. Global Explorers does an amazing job of facilitating a rich and complete experience—somehow orchestrating the details with finesse, without losing the excitement, spontaneity, and challenge that are the reason we choose to travel in the first place.
