We've arrived!

We have safely and successfully arrived in Esteli, Nicaragua! See details about our day and pictures in the Global Glimpse blog. I wrote it for today.

To Nicaragua with Global Glimpse

Summer 2014 means it's time to hit the road once again. This time I'll be traveling with the incredible organization, Global Glimpse. They believe that America's next generation must experience different countries and cultures first-hand to develop into responsible global citizens. I am very excited to be working with them.

Can you find Esteli?

On Friday, July 25th I will be leading a delegation of 21 students to Esteli, Nicaragua. While we are there, we'll be participating in a myriad of activities. Students will learn about the topics of poverty, education, politics, history, culture, global business, aid and development, and leadership during academic seminars. There will be reality challenges such as living on a $1 a day, working like a local, and shadowing a high school student. Students will get to be the teachers every other evening as they teach and tutor local adults English and they will complete a community action project in which they will work with community members in to create a better, more beautiful community space.

Somoto Canyon

We will also take some trips to a lagoon and to Somoto canyon for some swimming, canoeing/kayaking, and probably some cliff jumping! This program is better than anything I could have ever designed myself and I am so grateful to be a Global Glimpser leader. I feel like I am finally meshing my dream of combining two of my passions, traveling and teaching.

I can't wait to set foot in Nicaragua again! Yes, again, I was there in 2006 with Wittenberg University (my undergrad alma mater) building houses in Ticuantepe with Bridges to Community. From what I remember, the food while a little heavy on the rice, beans, and plantain side is delicious! The Nicaraguans are so friendly and welcoming when it comes to taking you into their community, and the weather is hot! But hey, it's Central America, what can you expect.

One of the adorable kiddos that was part of the community we were buiding houses in. 

I will be doing my best to post on here as often as possible but the other place where you can follow our groups travels in on the Global Glimpse Esteli Offical Trip Blog. I have already posted one page there, but a different student is going to update the blog every day so you'll have constant updates about this amazing trip from numerous different perspectives.

The northern mountains of Nicaragua here we come!