Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JULY 21
Saludos desde Toledo!
It has been a long day, but a positive one as we began our Spanish Language Experience program! The staff team had an early start to the airport, about an hour’s drive from our home base in Toledo. Students arrived at various times and in different terminals but the staff team all came together to collect everyone and shuttle them back to home base in a few trips.
At home base the staff received the students to get settled in their dorm rooms, eat lunch, and have some chill time in the cool, air-conditioned common areas. This evening, once the final group of students and staff arrived, we began our GLA orientation, us talking about the program, home base, and policies, making it interactive with some skits!
We finished our long arrival day with our “chow circle” where we gave shout-outs and discussed the day’s highlights before eating some comfort food for dinner at home base. We wrapped up with a quick name game and some more chill time before hitting the bed so that we’ll all be fresh and ready to go for our first full day in Toledo tomorrow!
Hasta pronto!
The GLA Staff Team (James, Teresa, Fernanda, Gina, and Greta)
BLOG POST FOR JULY 22
Hola from Toledo!
Today was our first full day of program! We all got some really good, much-needed rest after our long travel days. We had a filling breakfast at the home base and then rolled right into orientation part two where we made our list of community agreements, writing down what we wanted to see as a whole group throughout the program. Some examples are being present and engaged during activities, being inclusive and non-judgemental, and respecting each other and their personal space and belongings.
After a short break we took a bus into town to explore the historic center of Toledo via a fun, competitive scavenger hunt in groups! We searched for famous monuments and statues, practiced Spanish with locals, and even had to act out a scene from a movie in front of a local theatre. We cooled off during a nice lunch in the center before taking our private bus back to the home base.
This afternoon we met our Spanish teachers, Alfredo and David, for a short placement test. Afterwards, we split into our Mentor Groups to just discuss the types of conversations and activities we will typically have in these small groups, and also decorated signs for our rooms.
We spent the hottest part of the day at a nearby private swimming pool, enjoying the refreshingly cool water with an amazing view of the historic center of Toledo in the distance.
Back at the home base this evening we ate dinner then had some down time to relax, play some pool, and get ready for bed before calling it a night after a fun and full day!
¡Hasta luego!
The GLA Staff Team
BLOG POST FOR JULY 23
Hola!
We woke up today, striving for excellence and yearning to be become better leaders and Spanish speakers. For breakfast we had eggs, cereal, fruits, meats, and breads with nice spreadings. We then prepared to meet the kids from the summer camp which turned out to be much more fun than expected. The kids were very energetic and wanted to play with us immediately.
We talked, played fútbol, played recreational games, and get to know each kid. We split up into groups with the kids, some doing small games and arts and crafts while others played futsal. After playing with the kids all morning we headed to lunch.
After a filling lunch, we headed into our first Spanish class of the trip where we learned a children’s song that we will be sharing with the kids later this week. We also learned how to introduce and talk about ourselves, and played a fun game involving directions to lead a blindfolded student to a hidden object. Después de la clase de Español, we walked down to the pool, where everyone participated in a competitive but exciting pool game called Tips. After drying off from our fun in the sun, we broke off into our mentor groups and explored our personal core values and had a meaningful conversation about what it means to be a leader.
We then returned to home base and finished off the day with an amazing dinner consisting of pork ribs, potatoes, and a healthy salad.
Buenas noches!
Jorja and Daniel
BLOG POST FOR JULY 24
¡Hola a todos!
Today was a very jampacked day! We had a large breakfast of waffles, sausage, toast and fruit. Afterwards we had summer camp service again, which was a water day with the summer camp kids. We had different stations we rotated through, although it eventually dissolved into chaos. Most of the GLA students and kids grabbed buckets and we had an all out water fight. Students formed deeper connections with the kids, one in particular gave away her jewelry. After the water fight we experienced a mini concert and the chance to do karaoke. A majority of GLA students sang “Stand By Me” together. After service we had a classic dish called “tortilla de patata”, tomato salad, and ice cream sandwiches for lunch.
After lunch, we had a small break in our rooms before Spanish class. After the first two hours we all joined together and learned “La Bamba” song and practiced it. Some students played instruments while others sang!
After Spanish class we had a short rest and then went to Toledo, where we went on a Legends of Toledo walking tour after having a quick shopping time. During the tour we went to multiple iconic spots such as some underground Roman ruins and a famous church. Finally, we closed the night with a lively dinner at a place in the historic center before busing back to our home base. There we got ready for bed and began to pack up for our upcoming trip to Madrid!
Adios!
Lucas y Maya
BLOG POST FOR JULY 25
Hola!
We had a later start than usual this morning, meeting downstairs at 8:30am with our overnight bags packed for Madrid. After a filling breakfast, we took a bus into Madrid and dropped our bags at our hostel. Our first activity in Madrid was a tapas tour, where we explored the city and try lots of different dishes, including bocadillos de calamares in the beautiful Plaza Mayor and pinchos in the Mercado de San Miguel. We finished the tour with some delicious churros con chocolate and returned to the hostel to check in for a siesta!
This afternoon we got dressed up nicely for our flamenco class. There, we learned the basic rhythms, footwork, and a short dance routine from our instructor, Isaac.
After our class, we went to a local ice cream shop for a quick bite before heading back for a flamenco performance. There were a female and male dancer, including Isaac, our instructor, as well as a guitarist and singer. We watched multiple dance routines while cheering “Ole!”.
We then headed for our buffet dinner, where we tried everything from paella to oxtail. We made it back to the hostel after a full day in the capital to do our chow circle and then get some rest, excited about what the next day in Madrid would bring us!
Adios!
Tilly y Aaron
BLOG POST FOR JULY 26
Hola!
We started our day bright and early at eight in the morning and went down to eat a very delicious breakfast at the hostel including a variety of fresh fruit. After we finished breakfast we walked over to the metro which we took to El Retiro park. There we played some fun competitive games for our GLA Olympics, including charades, a leaf scavenger hunt, and volleyball keep-up.
We filled up an appetite, and afterwards walked to our cooking class and cooked both vegetable paella and chicken paella, a typical drink called salmoreja, and a famous cake called torta de Santiago which was all very delicious.
Afterwards we had some free time so we split into groups and did some shopping. We then we went back to the hostel to get our belongings and walked to the bus back to Toledo. Early in the afternoon we took a bus ride back to Toledo from Madrid. When we arrived back to our home base in Toledo we had siesta time, us resting for the first half and later going out and play games like pool, soccer and card games.
Later we got to do a “pulse check” where we were got to share are feelings about the trip so far. To wrap up the day we started with a leadership activity which was a note to our future selves. For dinner we had wings with a side of sweet potatoes, veggies, and fruit. During dinner we sat in smaller groups so that we could talk to and meet new people. Finally we played a fun version of rock paper scissors so that we could decide who did laundry first.
Adios!
William y Parker
BLOG POST FOR JULY 27
Today we had a later start for breakfast, us going down at 8:30am to have eggs, toast, cereal and muesli, doughnuts, yogurt and fruit for breakfast before we headed to our last day of camp with the kids. It was bittersweet knowing it was our last day with them, so we tried to make the most of it. We played a bunch of games, danced a lot, and had so much fun together. We also got to perform the “El Arco de Noé” song we’ve been learning, and it was really cool to finally show it to the kids.
After camp, we had lunch: fish, pasta carbonara, salad, and fruit. We had a short break after lunch before going to Spanish class. Many of us were very tired from the activities we had this morning but lunch gave us a big energy boost which gave us the ability to make it through the rest of the day. Today we learned a typical dance from Spain, sevillanas, which was really fun and we definitely got a lot better as we practiced. We afterwards had our normal Spanish class.
We then had a small break before we went to the pool. We didn’t have much time there but we made the most of it by playing TIPS, grabbing a snack, or laying out to read. Back at home base we did a fun leadership debate activity where we split into different groups to debate a topic very relevant to Spain: the language of certain regions. Before dinner we had our final group gathering of the day which was our “chow circle” where we all shared our highlights of the day in Spanish and got to give out some thoughtful shoutouts.
We had some chill time after dinner to wrap up the day by hanging out together, getting ready for bed, and writing the blog.
Adios!
Harper y Eli
BLOG POST FOR JULY 28
Hola!
Today at GLA camp in Spain it was a really memorable and unique day. We started by waking up at 7:30am and heading to breakfast, getting ready for everything we had planned for the day. After that, we went into Toledo where we spent the morning doing community service with the Red Cross, which felt really rewarding because we were able to help Spain by working together as a group to fulfill a task. We worked alongside Red Cross volunteers to clean up trash along the Tajo River, separating it into different bags for items that can be recycled.
Once we finished, we went out for lunch and had tapas, which was an amazing way to experience Spanish culture by trying a variety of different, unique dishes.
This afternoon in Spanish class we learned about famous Spanish singers and practiced real-life situations. We learned how to book a room at a hotel and practiced how to reserve and order food at a restaurant using only Spanish. To finish off Spanish class we sang the Spanish version of “You Got A Friend In Me” from Toy Story.
After Spanish class we enjoyed a relaxing siesta before going to the pool, where everyone played “tips” and relaxed after a long day of community service. To end the day we had our favorite, tortilla de patata, along with a fresh salad, bread, and watermelon.
Adios!
Luka y Carys
BLOG POST FOR JULY 29
We had an early start to the day around 6:15am. Breakfast consisted of several options such as cereal, toast, eggs, meats, and a selection of juices. Afterwards, we hopped on the bus and began to drive two hours to the Lagunas de Ruidera for kayaking and swimming. Once we arrived, we quickly applied sunscreen and grabbed life vests before choosing our kayaks and our partners.
Once everyone was ready, we set off around the lake, which turned out to be one of the most exciting parts of the day. While we were out on the water, we had two different contests. The first was a race to see who could get to a certain spot in the lake the fastest. Everyone paddled as hard as they could, and it quickly became very competitive as people tried to beat each other to the finish.
The second contest was a team challenge. We split into two groups, each with five kayaks, and raced to the waterfall and back. This one required more teamwork, since everyone had to stay together and keep a steady pace. It was really fun working as a group and trying to stay coordinated while still going as fast as possible. Once we finished the competitions, we were given free time to either stay in the kayak or head back to shore. Those that opted to go back to the beach spent the next 30-45 minutes swimming or lying in the sun. When everyone had arrived back from kayaking, we all sat down for lunch and had either chicken or steak as our main meals.
After lunch, we swam for the next 2 hours before packing up and heading to the bus to travel an hour to Don Quixote’s windmills, Los Molinos de Consuegra. When Quixote first arrives at the windmills, he famously perceives them as “giants.” This made the site especially interesting to see in person. It was cool to connect what we’ve loosely talked about to a real place and to imagine how the scene might have looked through his perspective.
After an exciting visit to Quixote’s windmills, we boarded the bus once again for our return to Toledo. On the bus, we made a quick stop, giving us some time to participate in an amazing and innovative activity called “Karaoke Bus!” We continued singing energetically all the way home. This bus ride was so much fun and truly memorable.
When we got back to home base, we had a bit of time to relax and regain our bearings before chow circle. As usual, we discussed some of our highlights and shoutouts that came from this amazing day!
For dinner, we put a little spin on things by creating the dinner table groups by favorite seasons. We had some delicious spaghetti with diced ham and vegetables. Finally, we ended this spectacular day with our signature sobre mesa!
¡Buenas Noches!
Nora y Landon
BLOG POST FOR JULY 30
Hola!
Today we had a bit later start so we could catch up on some sleep. After a great breakfast, we said goodbye to the kids at the summer camp where we volunteered.
Next, we took a bus to Toledo and went shopping for souvenirs since it was our last full day in Toledo! Everyone had a lot of fun since we all got the souvenirs we wanted.
After shopping, we went to our most adventurous activity of the day: zip-lining! We zip-lined over the Tajo River right in the heart of medieval Toledo which was very thrilling, and a great experience! We had lunch at a cool spot underground that was essentially a cave. Fun fact: it was named the best bathroom restoration design in Europe!
After a wonderful lunch, we walked back to our bus and headed to our home base. Upon arrival, we had 10 minutes to gather our belongings and prepare for Spanish class.
Since it was our final Spanish class, we made gazpacho and sopa de pepino together. The group had a blast while preparing the meals, and the fun continued as we played Just Dance after tasting our dishes.
Later, we were given an hour-long siesta. Most students used this time to start packing for our trip to Barcelona the next day. After our siesta, we had the option to either relax by the pool or play games at home base.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner at 8:00pm and were in our rooms by 9:30pm to finish packing as we will have an early start to Barcelona!
Adios!
Lucas y Josephine B.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 31
¡Hola!
Today we had a very early morning. We woke up around 5:00am to get ready and bring down our bags before going down to breakfast around 6:00am. Breakfast included pancakes, toast, yogurt, fruit, and more. After we finished eating, we gathered all our belongings and got on the bus heading towards Madrid.
We reached the Madrid train station in time to catch our train at 8:50am to Barcelona. The train ride was about three hours long and consisted of a lot of sleeping. By midday, we made it to Barcelona! We dropped off our luggage at the hostel and headed to lunch. All of us were very hungry after that long morning so lunch was very good. People got burgers, pizza, or salads. We then returned to the hostel, got in our rooms, and had time for a siesta.
A little bit before 4:00pm, we got some delicious gelato to lift our spirits and then headed to Park Guell. The park was very colorful and the tour was very interesting. It was a good start to exploring Barcelona, offering views of the city’s culture, architecture, and beautiful scenery. We then got dinner at a tapas restaurant (Greta’s favorite). We ended the day together by playing games, like rose-bud-thorn, in our mentor groups and then going to bed at 10:00pm.
¡Buenas Noches!
Lucia y Nick
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 1
Hola!
This morning we got to sleep in later and had breakfast at 8am before getting ready for our walking tour of the Sagrada Família. We walked around inside, taking photos and admiring Gaudi’s architecture while listening to the history of the church from our guide, Rosa.
We had a little time to spare afterwards, so we visited the official FC Barca soccer store and a souvenir shop before heading to a big lunch of pasta, chicken and crema catalana for dessert.
Afterwards we had the opportunity to either take a siesta back at the hostel or shop around the city for a few hours before meeting back up again for a leadership activity in our mentor groups.
This afternoon we headed to the beach, where we swam, played volleyball, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was a fun way to relax and spend time together!
To end the day, we ate dinner at a buffet restaurant with a variety of delicious foods. Overall, it was a memorable day filled with learning, fun, and great experiences.
¡Adios!
Darby y Josephine
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 2
Hola!
We had a delicious breakfast to begin our last full day in Spain. After breakfast we got ready and took the metro over to begin our bike tour. We first said goodbye to Josephine S. who met up with her dad, us later splitting into two groups with our local guides, Ernest and Sophie. We biked along the coast, learning about Barcelona’s history as we passed monuments, the marina, and the waterfront before turning inland to the Poble Nou neighborhood. There we took a much deserved rest in the shade to have an ice cream or a popular “horchata” to cool us down. We returned via a different route and after dropping off our bikes, we walked to the nearby Gothic Quarter for lunch.
We ate a variety of Asian dishes and enjoyed resting in the A/C before hitting the small alleyways throughout the Gothic Quarter to do some shopping! Afterwards we took the metro back to the hostel for a nice mid-afternoon siesta!
This evening we had our final mentor group, reflecting on our two-week experience in Spain, later doing a whole-group activity called the Appreciation Circle where we praised our fellow students and staff who made an impact on our time here.
Tonight we all got dressed nicely and went for our final dinner at Gala, a circus-themed restaurant. They prepared a private room for us and we ate a wonderful meal together, including delicious pasta, sushi, and dessert!
Back at the hostel, we said some goodbyes then headed to bed to get some rest before departure day!
Adios!
The GLA Staff Team
