Our Mission

Provide the best service exchange programs for students, be present and engage whole-heartedly, build a foundation for change that benefits the individual, community and planet.

Our Values

Connection

Forge connections with the self and others in ways that create enduring bonds, build empathy and make us whole.

Communication

Foster clear and honest communication that is the bedrock for meaningful relationships, that takes listening further into understanding and that makes us real.

Engagement

Actively and fearlessly strive to make a positive difference for other people, living creatures and the earth.

Community Building

Commit to being part of an interdependent group that learns from setbacks, accomplishes shared goals, and challenges each other to tap into the best parts of themselves.

Knowledge

Cultivate understanding that comes from being fully present in the world and that engages the mind, body and heart. Through knowledge comes consciousness, transformation and love.

Our Belief

We are small on purpose, for purpose

We keep our organization small and focused in an effort to stay mindful of community-building, while maximizing the impact on the individual. That impact becomes apparent both in the short-term during the program, as participants come to understand their place in the community of peers and the host community, and also over time, as they gain insights about themselves and the global community. We offer a curated set of program dates and locations, and we cap the number of participants in each. Our Ambassadors are active mentors who help each participant tap into the best parts of who they are, and our noteworthy average ratio of one leader to every four students allows for experiences that are personal and personalized.

We are tech-free, and allow one call home per week

Being fully present during the program requires that we are truly connected to the experience and people around us. Disconnecting from gadgets allows us to develop sincere relationships with community members who rarely are equipped with tech devices and who want to share their lives with us. Putting aside smartphones also raises the bar for programs like Volunteer —not many organizations will promise to keep participants engaged and having fun without having to resort to screen time. You’ll have plenty of stories and photos to share once you’re home!

Globe Trotts is rooted in long-term, respectful relationships with local partners

We don’t develop new programs on a whim. We have worked in most of our locations for decades, so our participants are welcomed like old friends into communities that know us well. We partner exclusively with local nonprofits on ambitious construction projects that are needed by the community.

Volunteer also can be distinguished by what we are not.

• Volunteer is not religiously or politically affiliated. Some program locations may offer an opportunity to explore the religion and religious monuments of our host communities, but all programs are secular.
• Volunteer is not a student tour. Participants and leaders live together in a community center or rented home that is part of a local neighborhood. We live in our host community for the duration of the program and use the weekends for travel and excursions. Participants quickly become part of the fabric of daily life and are at home in the community.
• Volunteer is not a home stay program. Instead, we live together as a group and spend our days working and communicating with local families and community members, and we often share meals or spend days with local friends. This format allows for greater flexibility in scheduling the community-driven service projects and the program itinerary.

What We Expect

Volunteer program is challenging in different ways and on different levels. With your commitment and engagement, this life-changing program duration will expand your comfort zone and push you to embrace the unfamiliar.

• As a member of a team, you’re expected to to commit to our goals, to be aware of how your actions and reactions affect others and to look for ways to contribute positively to the overall group dynamic.
• Cooperation and flexibility are imperative, and a sense of humor is indispensable.
• Considerate conduct and respect for program policies are required. Globe Trotts is a Zero Tolerance program with respect to alcohol, drugs and inappropriate sexual behavior, and breaking such a rule will result in immediate dismissal from the program (read our Terms and Conditions).
• You live and work in the public eye, therefore appropriate behavior, language use and dress are essential. Chronic bad behavior will also be grounds for early dismissal. Such situations are rare given the positive peer pressure and group dynamics that define Volunteer program, but we are nonetheless clear and consistent when we enforce our guidelines.
• Considerate conduct and respect for program policies are required. Globe Trotts is a Zero Tolerance program with respect to alcohol, drugs and inappropriate sexual behavior, and breaking such a rule will result in immediate dismissal from the program (read our Terms and Conditions).
• You will be expected to be actively curious about the culture and community. To watch, listen and reach out to local people. When you think of yourself as both an ambassador and a student with respect to the local community, you will be rewarded tenfold.
• We expect you to take advantage of every opportunity offered, even downtime. There always is time to enjoy your surroundings, absorb the culture, do fun activities and make deep friendships.

Tution & Trip Insurance

Tuition includes almost all program expenses, such as:

• Lodging
• Meals and healthy snacks
• Service projects
• Activities and excursions
• Weekly laundry
• Transportation beginning at airport pick-up and ending at airport drop-off
• Volunteer Ambassador, local staff, and guides

Tuition fees does not include airfare, baggage fees or other travel-related expenses, evacuation insurance, medical expenses, cost of evacuation, health and travel insurance, personal spending money, cost of calls home, or airport taxes.

The 50% tuition deposit holds a space in the program and is credited toward tuition. Half of the deposit is refundable until 6 months prior to the program commencement date. The full tuition fees is due 3 months prior to the program date. Anyone who enrolls after the 3 months prior program date must pay full tuition in order to be registered. Because makes commitments and financial decisions related to each person’s participation in advance of the program, tuition is non-refundable 3 months prior to the program date for any reason, including but not limited to, family or personal emergencies, physical or mental illness or injury, voluntary departure, and participant dismissal.

We understand that program tuition is an investment, and that personal or family plans sometimes change. We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance or speaking with your insurance provider about the options. You may also check with insurance companies that provides the evacuation insurance for all participants.

Listed tuition prices are for payment via Bank transfers only. Payment by credit card is not acceptable & payment by international wire is an additional $40.

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