Director's Corner: Pride at 15,600 ft.
By David Shurna, Executive Director
At the highest point of our Andes hike atop Rondoy Pass, Jameyanne, describes the "great tide of emotion, pride, joy, amazement, that wonderful sense of achievement" she has after participating in our Global Explorers Program. What we do at Global Explorers is provide life-changing international immersion experiences for students and their teachers. For us, safety, great guides, eco-friendly accommodations, good food and exciting itineraries are things that every good travel organization provides. But at our core, Global Explorers is about what we teach and how we teach it. Our high quality field staff, provocative preparatory curriculum and challenging community service requirements each reflect a strong commitment to our education-oriented mission. Like Jameyanne, my "great tide of pride" comes from the knowledge that, for each of our participants we're consistently doing our best to inspire, educate, and create a future generation of responsible global citizens.
Educator Reflection: Emerging World Citizens
By Marj and Stacey, teachers from Willamette, IL
How often do you get a chance to be with students in a setting that is ideal for life-changing learning? Global Explorers offers a "field trip" experience that is a student's and teacher's dream. Laughter was heard constantly throughout our trip, the awe was visible on the young people's faces, and the inquisitive nature of their minds was celebrated. "Look at this! A katydid that is six inches long!" "Wow, did you see that tarantula in its nest?" "Don't step on the leaf cutter ants!"
Even when the days were long, the joy continued throughout every activity. As the students watched the spectacular sunset from the canopy walk, they marveled at the yellow-billed Toucans flying from treetop to treetop and the sun peeking out of the clouds in beautiful hues of pinks. Intriguing sounds of unseen animals provided a chorus as we hiked in the dark to camp with our headlamps shining the way. No one wanted to miss a minute.
Our students were as unique and varied as they come, all highly talented but tiring of sitting in a simple classroom. In the rainforest, learning was coming alive for them, and they loved it. In addition, service to others had been a part of their year's preparation, and deep joy was felt when these projects came to life. Whether it was completing a service project in the small rainforest village of Canal Piniot, visiting and contributing to Dr. Dunn's Amazon library, providing supplies to Dr. Linnea Smith's medical clinic, or facing the challenges in a poorer neighborhood in the city of Cuzco, our students met each challenge with enthusiasm and determination, receiving in return a deep respect and understanding of what they learned and saw. At the end of each of these activities, nothing could replace the joy on everyone's face as we celebrated and played soccer together. It became the common language that everyone spoke.
The lively pace of the rainforest was replaced with the challenges of climbing mountain after mountain on the Inca Trail. Our destination of Macchu Picchu was 7,800 feet above sea level; our highest point of camp was at 13,200 feet. There was plenty of time to think along this journey, whether it was appreciating the beauty that surrounded us, recognizing personal struggles and physical limitations, or reflecting on the analogies to life the experience brought forth. Guides we had only known for a few days quickly became a part of our family. We gave each other encouragement and hope, as we successfully reached each of our destinations.
Service, hands-on learning, and nature whispered their secrets and wisdom to this group of American students and their teachers. Research tells us that young people learn more when they are having fun. But research was not necessary for us to see the results of this Global Explorers experience. The light gap is a key to the continuation of the rain forest eco-system. Seeds wait years for the life giving light in which to grow. These students' hearts had waited years for the light of such a rich learning experience. Each student will be unique. Over time, the seeds will grow. They will be ready to contribute their unique gifts that are emerging from within. They will mature into contributing world citizens, ready to do their part in preserving nature for generations to come.
Student Perspectives: A Blind Student Experiences Freedom
By Clayton, blind student participant in Global Explorers' Leading the Way Program
My experience hiking in the Andes Mountains was a cornucopia of opportunities and life lessons. Growing up as a blind individual, I thought I would never get the opportunity to hike for eight days in the Andes because simple opportunities such as a job are difficult positions for someone like me to attain. Nonetheless, I was encouraged by my friends, teachers, and family to give it a try. The first life lesson I learned occurred when Global Explorers brought the team together in Colorado and I realized I wasn't alone as far as blindness is concerned. I learned that other people have to deal with the same difficulties that I do. Realizing the fact that many other people face the same hardships and adversities convinced me that my life was not as hard as I had thought it was. Through that one life lesson, everyone in our group met and grew to know each other. The friendships I made on this trek are ones that will last for a lifetime.
Through my entire experience in the Andes, I found that there was one opportunity that I loved above all. That was the opportunity to experience freedom. The chance to run as fast as I could was absolutely incredible. For the first time in my life, I was not worried about people telling me to "slow down" and to stop endangering myself and others. It was the best feeling I have had in my life to date! This feeling of absolute liberation was wonderfully empowering and encouraged me to do the best I could on the trail. I am happy to say that I accomplished everything I wished while hiking in the Andes. The whole experience of hiking in the Andes is one I will never forget and couldn't if I tried. I am happy to say that this trip is not the last time I will be on the trail. I am also looking into how to rock climb. I hope to learn to snow ski during the winter given the right opportunity. God willing there is a place for me somewhere in Alpine sports. I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me and never gave up on me. Without you, I would still be a lost little boy with very little purpose in life. The final lesson that I learned in this trip is that no matter how many times life can knock you down, more than likely there is someone there to pick you up and dust you off so that you can keep running on the trail. Hopefully, some day others will also learn that lesson.
Blind and Sighted Programs for Summer 2008
We invite you to nominate a student (high school or college level) to participate in one of our Summer 2008 blind and sighted Leading the Way Programs. We seek students who feel that this experience will help their personal growth and discovery. Please contact Meghan Peot at if you know a student, blind or sighted, who might be interested in participating in any of the following programs:
Machu Picchu, Peruvian Andes
Travel through the land of the Incas as you hike in the Andes Mountains of Peru! Course content emphasizes leadership, community service, the cultures of the Andes and conservation biology. Open to high school students (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating in 2008).
Sounds of the Amazon
Join Global Explorers and bio-acoustic scientist Stan Rullman for an Amazon Adventure in surround sound! For this unique digital sound collecting expedition, we will capture and analyze the acoustical essence of each layer of life: from canopy to forest floor. Open to high school and college students (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating college in 2008).
Grand Canyon Rafting
Join Global Explorers and Grand Canyon Youth in a rafting exploration of the Grand Canyon! Course content emphasizes leadership, community service, conservation, geography and regional history (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating in 2008).
Kilimanjaro
This trek up Mount Kilimanjaro will include a study of Tanzanian culture, community service, leadership and conservation. Open only to students who have participated on a previous Global Explorers Leading the Way Program.