Traveling is one of my biggest passions, and I never expected a school summer program to become one of the biggest reasons I’ve seen the world. After going on my first Global Summers Academy program to Costa Rica in 2023, I realized nothing else could compare. The experience I had was so different from anything I’ve ever done and shaped me into the person I am today. There are so many reasons I’ve chosen to travel with Global Summers Academy more than once, but a few especially stand out: the independence I gained, the friendships I made, and the mix of school and travel.
One of the biggest reasons I returned for my 2nd and 3rd years was the confidence I gained from these programs. Traveling and even just being without my family or people I was familiar with used to make me nervous, but Global Summers helped me gain self-confidence and independence. The teachers and Program Managers always made me feel welcomed, safe, and supported while also giving me the freedom to explore, try new things, and make decisions on my own. Being able to be independent, whether it was budgeting my money spending, keeping my hotel room organized and clean, and keeping up with my studies, really helped shape the young adult I am today.
Another reason I went back is the friendships. I never expected to meet so many people I would stay in touch with and become extremely close with. But there is something about traveling together, living together, figuring out subway routes, and exploring new cities that makes unique, unbreakable bonds. On my first program, I expected to meet new people, but I did not realize how close we would actually get. By the end, it felt like we had our own little family. For my second and third year I continued to meet people from all over Ontario, who I keep in touch with to this day.
The mix of school and adventure is also something you don’t get anywhere else. Global Summers makes learning feel exciting, not like a regular classroom. Instead of memorizing information, you are seeing it firsthand and living it. If you’re studying history, you could be standing in places where the event actually happened. Or if you’re studying biology, you could see the animals and their habitats firsthand. Everything becomes easier to understand when you’re right there, seeing it for yourself.
In the end, the reason I’ve traveled with Global Summers for three years is simple. Each program has changed me for the better. I have come home more confident, more open-minded, and more connected to the world. It never feels like a repetitive experience; each destination offers something new, but the same feeling of support and excitement always stays the same. I know these are experiences I’ll carry with me long after the summer is over, and that’s why I keep going back.
Thank you to Student Ambassador Avery K. for writing this blog!
