As a teen in John’s Creek, Georgia, Anna Ogan was eager to experience the world–she had always enjoyed learning about different cultures in school, and after a family vacation to her father’s home city of Istanbul.

The spring after her Sophomore year, she signed up for a GLA program in the Dominican Republic … and the rest is history!

The following year, Anna was back for more with two magical weeks in Fiji. These trips sparked her love for travel and she has since traveled to over 25 countries. After her freshman year of college, she ventured off to Prague, Czechia where she completed her B.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

This summer, Anna is joining the GLA summer team on the Costa Rica: Beachside Service Adventure program as a Mentor before pursuing a Masters degree in Spain. Former students often make the best staff members: they are familiar with the program structure and have a solid foundation from which to relate to teens who may be brand new to international travel or who are navigating this type of program for the first time.

Hi Anna! It’s been a minute. In a nutshell, how did your time with GLA impact the course of your life?

Both the GLA trips I embarked on sparked my love for travel and experiencing new cultures. They nurtured my independence and confidence in my ability to navigate a world outside of my home. Above all, they showed me where I felt the happiest – in a new environment with new people. I have since indulged in traveling the world, including living in a new country for the past two and a half years.

Anna (right) with her friends in Fiji on-program

So you’re living in Prague?! How did that come about? What do you love about living abroad?

It’s a funny story, actually. I had an athletic and academic scholarship at a D1 school in Virginia for lacrosse. However, I was not happy there on the team. I was on TikTok one day during the pandemic (as everyone was!) and got the idea to move to Europe for university. It was cheaper, even factoring in both my scholarships at a US university. After a lot of convincing and visa paperwork, I found myself in Prague a few months later in the middle of a pandemic.

I didn’t know a single person, but this quickly changed and I eventually built a life for myself. I found some of my best friends and have gained more international experience and communication skills than I would have if I stayed stateside. I love experiencing the different ways of life and societal organizations throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

I love meeting new people and traveling to new places. By coming to Prague I have been able to explore a different side of myself that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. I even joined the Czech National team (for lacrosse) and believe I’ve completely improved my sports ability from being in this environment. I am ever so grateful for my decision to move.

The fruits of Anna’s cohort’s labors in the Dominican Republic: The group constructed a community center using recycled bottles for insulation

What was your favorite moment on a GLA program?

It is hard to pick a single moment that stands out from the others on these trips. This is because I can sincerely say that every moment was unique and filled with genuine excitement and happiness – a feeling I have yet to experience again.

In the Dominican Republic, it was learning about the Haitian community and the pros and cons of volunteer tourism. Or going to the blue lagoon and doing a zipline where you had to hold on instead of being attached. All such unique experiences that I would never have been able to have otherwise.

Anna (left) logging some serious snorkeling time in Fiji in 2018

How did your program staff inspire you to seek out a staffing role yourself? 

The staff made me feel safe in this foreign country and even more importantly to a teenage kid at the time, they made me feel comfortable. I was able to be who I wanted to be without fear of punishment. My favorite part of the GLA staff was their honesty. Since day one, they were honest without us about the rules and then about the situations we were entering. We knew our position as Americans in this country and they taught us the pros and cons of being in the situation we were in.

They were real and honest with us and treated us like humans. Overall, they showed me an eye-opening experience that left an impact.

Finally, what advice would you give a teen considering this experience?

Do it! So often in America, the school system’s rigid curriculum can make you forget about the real way to learn things – by seeing the world in action, through real, first-hand experience that gives you a better understanding of how the world works. You will gain so much insight into the world, by meeting new people and experiencing a new culture that will change your perspective for the best for the remainder of your life.

Do it for the experience, and the hidden insight you will gain. Go!

Jenica Pistone-Donahue
GLA Content Team