Category: Blog

Global Works Alum David Narrow Reflects on his Experience 6 Years Later

Posted: 04 / 20 / 2012
by admin

In 2006 I led my very first trip to Costa Rica with Global Works. It was 4 weeks of service, outdoor adventure, language immersion and Pico de Gallo. We couldn’t have had a better group of students. I recently caught up with David Narrow, now a graduate student at Johns Hopkins.  Here’s what he has to say, 6 years later, about how those 4 weeks have informed and affected his path.

-Mary

At the age of 16, most middle-class American kids are completely immersed in anything from a video game, to socializing and partying, to college visiting and studying for the SATs. Due to all the pressures from parents, peers and the media, most kids get overwhelmed and frustrated when things don’t go their way. This frustration often causes a lot of stress and is not a healthy way for a 16 year old to be living. While most people on my Global Works trip to Costa Rica had good educations and came from well-off families, most of us had not been truly exposed to the way of life of so many all around the world. Global Works put life and the real world in perspective for all of us. The program taught us to put our problems in perspective and realize how big of an impact each of us can have on the world. (more…)

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Global Works and Circle of Writers Alumna, Maggie Moran motivates her entire community to help Nicaragua

Posted: 03 / 30 / 2012
by admin

Dear Global Works Community:

I’m happy to introduce you to Maggie Moran. Maggie was on the Global Works Nicaragua trip that I co-led last summer. Aside from being a great cement-mixer, tree-planter and fence-fixer in Nicaragua, Maggie has a knack for motivating others. She joined a Circle of Writers online Travel Writing workshop upon her return to the U.S, where she recorded her impressions with other Global Works students. Her final piece for the workshop, which captured her transformation in Nicaragua, served as her college admissions essay. She’ll be volunteering in Ghana this summer, and attending Boston College in the fall. Check out Maggie’s latest state-side project below.

Mary


After I got home from Nicaragua, I couldn’t stop thinking about the kids. For as much of an impact we made on their lives, it pales in comparison to the way in which they changed mine. I wanted to give back to them in every way that I could. I decided to collect gently used clothes, sneakers, cleats in addition to soccer balls and school supplies. First, I contacted one of our project directors in Nicaragua. He was excited to hear from me, and willing to help out by receiving the donations and distributing them.  I asked everyone I know for help—their response was overwhelming. Friends, family, and even strangers from the neighborhood cleaned out their closets and toy rooms– my parents graciously allowed the donations to pile up on our porch. (more…)

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Update from the Home Office

Posted: 03 / 19 / 2012
by admin

Everyone here in the Global Works Home Office has been busy preparing for our Summer Service Adventure trips starting in June, in addition to our current Custom Group Travel Programs that are already in the field!  We’ve had 8 trips already on the go this year, and will have many more trips traveling the globe in the upcoming months!  Check out some of the trip updates by clicking here: TRIP UPDATES.

While we have been busy in the home office, we have also been having fun!  Here is an update from our office homies:

Polly & Fritz Moriarty:
 The Moriarty’s have been busy spending time with their children, running races, and starting the Global Works Community Fund!  Here are a few highlights: Ellie (their oldest daughter) turned 4 and now attends a Spanish immersion pre-school. She already aspires to be a stellar Global Works leader in 19 years! Hanna turned 1 and is learning how to hula hoop. Ellie’s a pretty good teacher!

In her free time, Polly has been busy getting Global Works Community Fund started! (more…)

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Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua & the Home Office Welcomes Braden

Posted: 03 / 16 / 2012
by admin

While Braden Wilson is new to the Home Office role, he has been an experienced and valued team member over the last six years in the role of Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua Country Director. In January, we welcomed Braden to the new role of Director of Programs. Braden has the exciting job of researching and creating new programs, as well as continuing to evaluate and improve our existing programs. He’s been busy so far implementing a Pre-Business College enrichment program in Costa Rica and a Pre-Med College Enrichment program in Nicaragua. Having just returned from a scouting trip in Central America with Director Crisley Cespedes, Braden confirmed that our Surf and Science programs will also be ready to go in June!

In the summer, Braden will continue to work with Crisley as the Central America Country Director. Here, he meets all of the Global Works participants upon arrival and assists our staff on site and in the Home Office. (more…)

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Introducing Taylor Anderson, the newest member of the Global Works home office!

Posted: 03 / 07 / 2012
by admin

Taylor joined the Global Works team at the beginning of the year and is excited to tackle the roll of Office Assistant this spring. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Taylor recently migrated to Boulder, Colorado where she “oohs” and “ahhs” over the mountains on a daily basis. A graduate of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, she studied French and Art History and spent a year studying abroad in Paris, France and Rabat, Morocco.  Since graduation, she has traveled and worked in New Zealand, Maine, Pennsylvania and now Colorado.  Taylor loves to hike in the Boulder foothills, run, row, cross-country ski and be outside as much as possible. In the past, she has taught canoeing and led wilderness trips for a girl’s camp in Maine and she currently leads weekend excursions for middle-school girls in the Boulder area. She is thrilled to be working in the Global Works office and is looking forward to leading her first Global Works trip this summer!

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