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Global Learning Semesters

I recommend this program, but with some reservations. I chose it because it was the only program I could find that visited both Greece and Italy (two places I really wanted to go), and because the prospect of spending most of my time in Cyprus, which I knew very little about, was exciting. For the relatively small amount of money you pay for this program, it really is a great value. We traveled as a group to Rome, Athens, Ephesus, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, and Patmos. Our apartments in Cyprus and our hotels abroad were very nice, and group travel was pretty well organized. My main caveats concern the classes and communication. I was hoping for a bit more of an academic challenge than I received, and I felt like most of the time my professors didn't really want to be teaching these classes. My program was Early Christianity, and the website made it look like the whole summer would be organized around that theme. However, apart from my Religious Thought class, the program was not at all centered around Early Christianity. Instead, you are grouped together with all of the other Summer in the Mediterranean programs, and this makes it quite difficult to focus on your area of study. The advisors for the program are great, but whenever they took us on excursions throughout Cyprus, they pretty much dropped us off, told us to do whatever we wanted and to call if there was an emergency. If you are fine with planning your own time, this is all well and good. I was expecting a detailed itinerary for each city based on my Early Christianity program. All this being said, I am happy that I did the program. It needs improvement, but I loved my roommates and advisors, and I gained so much experience about how to be on my own when abroad.

Program: Study Abroad
Location: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Turkey
Posted: Oct 6, 2008
Overall:
6
Support:
5
Value:
9

Global Learning Semesters

The classes, especially the "studio" art classes, are a freaking joke. I chose the summer in the med. art and photography program, and regret ever paying them tuition. photo supplies are insanely expensive.. i would not recommend this program to people who actually want to learn stuff from their classes. there are many experiences to enjoy and other things to learn, but the acidemics in this program suuuck.
the weekend trips are deffinately the best part (if you're a beach person.. or just like to drink), but be prepared to be horded around like sheep. shoving 90+ people around 3+ different countries takes up a lot of time.
if you just want to travel... hop on a group tour. its basically the same thing, but maybe cheaper.

Program: Study Abroad
Location: Cyprus, Greece, Italy
Posted: Oct 6, 2008
Overall:
6
Support:
5
Value:
8

Global Crossroad

I have recently returned from my trip to Tanzania. It was life changing and wonderful. I am really amazed to see the community work carried out by the global crossroad. I worked for 4 weeks in Olof Palme Orphanage. Global Crossroad had partnered with this orphanage since last 4 years. In the last 4 years, orphanage had received nearly $20,000 donation to contruct buildings and schools. Before joining the global crossroad program, I have talked with many volunteers who had joined their program. And I also found them very happy with the program. so, I thank global crossroad for arraning such a excellent program for me.

Program: Volunteer Abroad
Location: Tanzania
Posted: Oct 5, 2008
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10

Comments

Thank you for this. I am seriously looking into going to Dar, Tanzania with Global Crossroad and it's tough to decide with such contradictory feedback on this site. Perhaps I will email Olof Palme directly to get some information but I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience.

Global Crossroad

My experience in Peru is truly one of the most memorable moments of my life. I stayed in Cuzco for about ten days from May 3 till 12, one day in Lima, and then flew back to Toronto, Canada. From start to end, Jenny and Martha, the national and local representatives, were very helpful and supportive, and facilitated our stay in Peru. We always talked with Jenny. My friend, Maryanne, and I had the fortune of meeting another volunteer (David Curtis) who works at an orphanage, whom we became good friends with during this trip.
The host family was extremely friendly and welcoming. Despite not speaking the Spanish language at all initially, I felt very comfortable interacting with them through other means (ex. sign language, drawing, dictionaries...). They served us many delicious local foods, such as the guinea pig, ceviche, maize, papaya juice..etc. They showed us around the city and took us to markets, small shops, cathedrals and other touristy places (ex. Plaza des Armas). On weekends, they even planned full-day trips for us to see Machu Picchu, other Inca ruins, and museums. We even got to go horse-back riding on mountains!!! The Peruvian scenary was stunning and the experience was exhilirating.
At home, we played soccer, drew pictures, watched TV and chatted with the host family. The house is nice and spacious, and the washroom is very clean. The only minor concern is that there isn't hot water to shower in, but it's easy to get used to. Our bedroom has two beds with lots of blankets (the night can get really chilly), and our privacy was always respected.
Our workplace was a geriatric center in a small, rural area that is 20 min away from home by bus. We usually worked from 9am-5pm, but time flies by when you're having a good time! The staff there (doctors, nurses, psychologists..etc) were as curious about our culture as we were to theirs! I learned how to apply hot packs and massage patients who had sore backs and necks, how to use various medical equipment, and learned some common Spanish medical vocabularies.
Many thanks to Global Crossroad and Jenny for organizing everything, Martha for matching us with our wonderful host family and workplace, the staff at the geriatric center for teaching us local medical practices, and of course, the host family (Beto, Hilda, Favio and Nicole) for sharing their wonderful culture with us. All of this was very fulfilling and worthwhile. I am thankful for Global Crossroad for providing us this opportunity. I will forever remember my time in Peru.

Program: Volunteer Abroad
Location: Peru
Posted: Oct 5, 2008
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10

Comments

Hi, I'm planning to use GC to go to Peru this summer and I was hoping to directly talk to some of the people who have already done so. If you could email me at dswanner@wharton.upenn.edu I'd really appreciate it.

Global Crossroad

It’s hard to describe accurately in words my time at By Grace – it was an incredible experience. From the moment I was introduced to the staff & children, I felt at home and very welcome in the centre. It was quickly agreed that I teach English & Maths to Form 1 during my 2 week stay at the centre & I was given the teaching aids that were necessary for classes. The other teachers were especially helpful if I had any questions etc. and also Salome was a fantastic source of information and advice during my stay. I found the students to be very eager to learn and very receptive in class - it was just such a pity to find them with only one book to work from for the whole class. Nevertheless, the teachers manage with what little resources they have & they are a great inspiration for the children. I had a fantastic time at By Grace – I extended my stay there by a further week but that was still far too little time to be spending with such great children. I wish I was still there now but I will definitely go back as soon as I can organise for it.
The only thing to note maybe for future volunteers is that the description I received from Global Crossroad on the activities I would be performing at the orphanage was not very accurate. I did not expect to be spending my whole time teaching – had I been aware of this I could have brought out some teaching aids, books etc that would have been beneficial for the students.
Host Family
I was so lucky to be housed with Rahab & her family. I was welcomed into her home as one of the family & I really felt at home during my stay. Rahab spent so much time with me & taught me a lot about Kenyan culture and way of life. She sacrificed her own time at weekends to bring me to the Giraffe Centre & the Bomas of Kenya. She also helped me to buy provisions for the orphanage – taking another whole day of her personal time. I was also invited to join the family in Mombassa over Easter …..the list of ways in which I was welcomed, helped and guided really is endless. In terms of the livings conditions I found the house to be most comfortable and the quality of the meals I received was excellent.
Safari
The safari was absolutely fantastic. The driver, Sammy, was very competent – I felt very safe in the vehicle on such rocky roads! He was also very knowledgeable with respect to the wildlife – in terms of both identification and giving us information about specific animals. The campsite was well run – it was clean & even had hot showers on our second day! The food was also very good.

Program: Volunteer Abroad
Location: Kenya
Posted: Oct 5, 2008
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10

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