GLA Blog » Thoughts on International Education

Archive for January, 2010

Are you a Stuff Junkie or Experience Junkie?

In spite of a tough economy, many of us value experiences over stuff.  Many well off Americans purposely drive a very modest economy car instead of luxury cars, live in a modest house versus an extravagant mansion — all with the thinking that we don’t want to be saddled down with stuff.

As parents, often we make it a priority to expose our children to the world.  International travel is not cheap, and taking a wife and kids makes it even more expensive.  But we believe it brings family so much value that the monetary expense is worthwhile.

Are you a stuff junkie or an experience junkie?

MLK Day: Reflections on Community Service

“Make a career of humanity – and you will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote by Dr. King sums up Global Leadership Adventures’ mission. Beyond taking high school students on community service programs around the world, we simply want all students around the world to consider their role in the world and their responsibility to fellow human beings, regardless of nationality or culture.

Although 2009 was a difficult year due to the economic crisis, the events in Haiti have caused many people to reflect on how fortunate and blessed they are regardless of the tough economic times. Haiti has caused people to rally around a cause and donate even during tough times.

This reminds me of another quote, by Anne Frank: “No one has ever become poor by giving.

This Monday, on MLK Day of Service, we urge all students to consider their role in the world and their commitment to community service – not just on MLK Day – but throughout the year. Whether service is international or domestic or in your local neighborhood, there’s no better way to honor Dr. King’s legacy than joining hands in service to others.

Answer “life’s most persistent and urgent question,” as Dr. King called it, “What are you doing for others?” Make this Martin Luther King Day of Service a day on, not a day off.

Haiti: Natural Disaster or Structural Poverty?

The devastation in Haiti continues to astound the world. People such as David Brooks wrote in the New York Times that the devastation came from the poverty in Haiti, not just the natural disaster. A similar earthquake hit California and nobody died.

GLA students who participated in our program in the Dominican Republic will remember all the Haitian people who escaped to the DR in search of a better life.  Many students were shocked by the poverty in the Dominican Republic and were shocked that anyone would think it would provide a better life.  But it does.  Haiti has suffered chronic poverty and is one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere.

While GLA is not equipped to send high school students to Haiti, we encourage students to get involved.  Personally, I have been a huge fan of Partners In Health – they’ve been working in Haiti for over 20 years.  You can be assured that a donation to Partners in Health will reach the earthquake victims.

P.S. We’ve been following National Geographic’s images of the tragedy in Haiti.