OUT NOW: TeenLife’s Guide to Gap Year Programs 2024!
In the summer of 2017, I went to Costa Rica with a group of teens from Global Routes. Honestly, it was one of the best months of my life. I met many amazing people, many of which I am still in contact with today and have become some very close friends. We talk often and visit each other for those who live in close cities. We became so close and now I feel safety talking to them about very real things. The leaders of the trip were also amazing. Two of them managed to keep 16 teenagers was very impressive. In the end we were a FAMILY, only living together for a month, but I feel so close to everyone.
"Chloe came home from the Costa Rica trip beaming. She loved the people she met, loved the leaders, adored her fellow travelers. She had so much fun! She came back appreciative of our modern life in the U.S. and told us stories about her adventures for weeks afterward. She gained a lot of perspective and maturity from the experience. And she had the time of her life! Sending Chloe to Costa Rica with Global Routes was a million times over the right decision."
- Elizabeth, 2017 Parent - August 25, 2017
BE MORE THAN A TOURIST! Global Routes is a pioneer in the world of immersive international programming for high school students. Our transformative program model combines meaningful community service, authentic homestays, and unparalleled adventures off-the-beaten-track...(more)
Partner with Global Routes on one of our pre-developed custom programs, or ask us to design a program just for your group. Global Routes collaborates with schools, camps, and groups to facilitate profound enrichment opportunities for participants who wish to contribute to purposeful service projects in the US or abroad...(more)
From London to the countryside: Explore history, culture, and community through the lens of sustainable solutions while building leadership skills. Hop on a train to Totnes, a community known for their regenerative initiatives. Stay on a nature preserve, camp along the river, and rappel down the coast before exploring London town!..(more)
Contained within the borders of one small country are the headwaters of the Amazon, the snow-capped volcanoes of the Andes, and Darwin’s Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world! It has a remarkable variety of habitats and is as rich culturally as it is geographically. Discover Ecuador firsthand as you meet the indigenous peoples of the High Sierra, trek through clouds in the high Andes, and celebrate the vibrancy of rural family life...(more)
From Rome to Athens, develop a deeper understanding of ancient history and culture, informing today’s sustainability and climate resilience efforts...(more)
Live and work with members of your host community as you gain a new appreciation for rural life and learn about the critical link between development and environmental protection. Join the Global Routes tradition, one which dates back to over 20 years of service with a host of communities and dozens of schools in Costa Rica. This Costa Rica program is a special version of the Costa Rica program specifically designed for the Leaders in Action group. ..(more)
A nature and adventure-lover's paradise, Hawaii welcomes visitors with incredible vistas, amazing hiking, and the opportunity to dive deep into conservation and permaculture. ..(more)
From the peaceful temples and old walled city of Chiang Mai to the world-renowned temples; the mountainous jungles of northern Thailand to the clear ocean waters of the country’s famed islands and beaches, this program brings you to Thailand to explore topics of tradition, globalization, and human rights while discovering the warmth and hospitality of these unique cultures...(more)
BE MORE THAN A TOURIST! Global Routes is a pioneer in the world of immersive international programming for high school students. Our transformative program model combines meaningful community service, authentic community stays, and unparalleled adventures off-the-beaten-track...(more)
Kayak, hike, rappel, bike, and farm in this outdoor adventure hub, while staying aligned with conservation and social justice efforts to support indigenous history, culture, tradition, and people in New Zealand & Australia!..(more)
My son was a Global Routes student in summer 2022. He was extremely nervous and more than a little scared about going on his first long adventure by himself, especially after 2 years of Covid that made everyone way too comfortable going nowhere and not making social connections. It was very hard for him to say goodbye and then embrace all the new people and experiences. The staff, his host family and the other students were incredibly open, accepting, warm and gracious with him. They helped him find a successful pathway through what ended up being an extraordinary adventure. With support, he was able to embrace the hard parts, really enjoy the good stuff and grow tremendously.
When he arrived home, he was transformed. He feels more confident and comfortable in his own skin. This is visibly evident - he stands taller and is much more willing to try new things. For example, on his own initiative he decided to try out for the soccer team, which we feel he would not have been open to before his Global Routes experience.