Here is a parent interview I did with my mom about my trip to Costa Rica and Dominican Republic! I hope that it is helpful! Me: - Were you nervous about your student flying alone? How did this experience turn out? Mom: - I wasn’t nervous as my daughter had flown by herself before both domestically and internationally. Two years ago Caroline did the GLA program in the Dominican Republic and her travel had worked out beautifully then so I was confident it would be the same for her trip to Costa Rica. In both cases, the GLA reps were in close communication with Caroline and me and were there immediately to get her. Caroline also enjoyed meeting up with other GLA students on the connecting flights. Since they all wore their GLA t-shirts it was easy for her to find them. Me: - What concerns did you have about sending your student on a GLA program? What happened with those concerns? Mom: - My concerns for both her trips (the DR and Costa Rica) were whether she would make friends, whether she would stay healthy and safe. I was nervous sending her both times without a friend and had discussed this with the GLA reps beforehand. They assured me that there would be lots of kids who didn’t bring a friend and indeed this was the case. Caroline made great friends each time and the program was structured in such a way as to encourage the kids to mix with one another. Caroline wound up being really glad she had done the trips by herself as she felt it really pushed her to be open and make friends. Caroline didn’t have any health or safety issues. The GLA field staff is so attentive and on top of everything. Me: - What were you hoping your student would gain from this experience? Were your expectations met, and if so, how? Mom: - My husband and I wanted Caroline to experience a lesser developed culture, to experience how she personally can make a difference, to practice her Spanish, to gain leadership skills, independence and new friendships. All of these expectations were met! The program design is such that the students spend sufficient time in local communities to really experience first hand what life is like. The jobs they do are limited enough that they are able to see first hand the difference they are making, e.g., pouring a cement floor, preparing a garden, etc. The Spanish class did improve her language skills somewhat, primarily in the area of speaking the language. The class took short trips into town and into peoples’ homes where they were actively speaking the language. This gave Caroline increased confidence in speaking and feeling comfortable trying new words and phrases. In terms of leadership skills, independence and friendships, I feel the program is designed in such a way as to naturally facilitate each of these experiences. For example, students take on different roles, such as blogging, heading up activities, leading discussions. They plan their activities, roles and responsibilities in the work locations and so they gain ownership over the process. The evening sessions with local speakers, video links, and other materials, really brings what the students are experiencing on a local level into a higher level discussion about broad social issues such as income disparity, human rights, environmental issues, etc. Me: - Did you notice any differences in your student immediately after they returned home from their program? Two months after their program? Mom: - Absolutely! She was visibly excited about all she had experienced. She was motivated by the community service she had done, proud of her new leadership skills and independence, and happy with her new friendships. She really missed being in Costa Rica and the DR, and all the people she had interacted with. After her first program in the DR, Caroline was so impacted by the stateless people they had worked with in a camp, that she continued to stay in touch with the camp director and wound up raising additional funds for the program. So, I can safely say the impact is long lasting! Me: - Do you feel like this experience changed your students college choice or career path? How? Mom: - The GLA programs have impacted Caroline’s college and career considerations. She has been looking at colleges with Global Affairs programs and is interested in pursuing a career in international development. She is also interested in exploring the Peace Corps as this would be a logical extension of the GLA program. I’d also like to mention that as we have gone on college visits, in several cases Caroline has known a student at the college who she met through GLA. She was able to get together with them and have a more personal student’s perspective on that particular campus. I have been impressed with the number of connections that Caroline still maintains with the former GLA participants!
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 17:55:16 +0000
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