Global Glimpse is an international travel program that expands perspectives, bridges divides, and unlocks leadership potential so teens can differentiate themselves and change the world, one little bit at a time. Since 2008, we’ve been the only nonprofit making life-changing travel accessible to high school students from all backgrounds.
Through pre-trip workshops we prepare students intellectually and emotionally for an 11-day summer travel experience in Costa Rica, Panama, or the Dominican Republic. Students participate in service-learning projects, cultural immersion activities, and leadership development while traveling, and return home more academically engaged, independent, globally-minded and better prepared for college and beyond. We also provide teacher training and alumni programming to create broader school and community impact.
We’re proud to be a youth travel organization that offers sliding-fee scholarships to all eligible students. This approach makes our programs accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.
Our goal is to provide both affordable and excellent experiences for our students. Driven by eight differentiating features, our award-winning programs are thoughtfully designed to maximize learning and adhere to the highest standards of educational travel, leadership development and safety.
Daily peer-to-peer leadership roles and a supportive environment for exploring personal growth.
Meaningful Service Learning Projects
Community Action Projects that encourage critical thinking, team work, and problem-solving.
Cultural Immersion
A 360-degree view of life in a Latin American country, including field trips and eye-opening cultural experiences.
Intentional Groups
Cohorts that combine students from different cultures and backgrounds.
Beyond-the-Beaten-Path Destinations
Beautiful, vibrant, and safe destinations with fewer tourists and more authentic experiences.
Community-Centered Experiences
Itineraries that highlight hands-on learning and shared experiences with local community members.
Tech-Free Travel
A screen-free environment that eliminates distractions and inspires face-to-face connection.
Thoughtful Curriculum and Pre-Trip Preparation
A powerful cross-cultural education driven by academic themes like history, education, environment, and global business.
“Global Glimpse was my first passport and first time out of the country. I learned about who I am, how I interact with the world, and how other people in cultures that are very different from mine live and think. These lessons will impact my life forever!”
Maddie Lambert
Glimpser 2023, Summer Search Seattle
“Global Glimpse is a huge reason why I am the person I am today. I came back more committed to doing something positive with my life and I made going to college my new goal. I just graduated from UCLA and I can honestly say that Global Glimpse helped me become the first in my family to graduate college.”
Anthony Bibiano
Glimpser 2018, Oakland High School, CA
“This was easily the most powerful experience I’ve had in high school. Becoming friends with people from different backgrounds and the incredible experiences we had together truly changed my idea of myself and my relationship with the world. I became a better version of myself.”
Keilyn Yat
Glimpser 2023, Williamsburg Prep High School, NY
“The world would definitely be a better place if every student could do Global Glimpse. This program sparked something in me. I’m now getting involved with organizations back home addressing the issues we learned about in Costa Rica like environmental justice and the empowerment of Indigenous communities.”
Wunnyuriti Ziblim
Glimpser 2023, Westfield High School, MA
We Make An Impact
Students emerge from our programs as more globally competent young leaders who are better prepared to succeed in college and beyond.
We believe that educational travel should be rooted in hands-on learning and deep connections with local people and communities. That’s why we focus on three vibrant destinations where students can have unique and authentic experiences like spending the day with a dairy farmer or sharing a meal with a host family.
Partnerships enrich our programs and grow our impact. We regularly collaborate with leading philanthropic, corporate and community partners to expand access to travel and career opportunities for our students.
Schools
Explore what it means to bring Global Glimpse to your high school
$3M
We Inspire 
We Connect 
Our Next Generation Through Travel
