Global Citizenship

A Global Citizen is someone who is aware of and understands the wider world - and their place in it. They take an active role in their community and work with others to make our planet more equal, fair and sustainable.

Through service-learning opportunities overseas, students work in partnership with local community and environmental initiatives, to gain a unique insight into some of the world's biggest issues.

Service-learning provides a new lens for young people in how they see the world, and is therefore not only one of the most valuable - and memorable - parts of the expedition experience, but the thing that stays with them long after they return home.

The concept of 'volunteering' does not accurately reflect the opportunities we provide for teams as it only tells half the story. Service-learning is a far more rounded, mutually beneficial approach, that allows our teams to learn and grow through the service they are providing, while supporting communities and initiatives overseas to achieve their long-term goals.

Our service-learning partnerships are well-defined with clear expectations to ensure our efforts do not disrupt, strain, or negatively impact a host community. This means we don't ask our teams to 'teach' when they are not qualified to do so, nor do we ask them to build infrastructure when they don't have the appropriate skills.

Instead, our teams are empowered and educated by our overseas partners, supporting in any way that is deemed appropriate to their skill set and necessary to meet the projects' targets.

Our service-learning partnerships are categorised into eight key groups:

• Sustainable Livelihoods
• Female Empowerment
• Eco-tourism
• Conservation
• Cultural Exchange
• Animal Welfare
• Community Support
• Quality Education

These rich, meaningful experiences mould young people into Global Citizens with a greater sense of social responsibility and understanding that they will value for a lifetime.

Here are some examples of the types of initiatives we work with around the world.

We're proud of our partnerships with in-country community organisations that work to improve the lives of those living there. Our teams get involved in all sorts of tasks, working alongside local people;

Teams in India Himalaya, support communities in the Spiti Valley through the building of specially adapted greenhouses to aid the growing of vegetables in the harsh winter conditions of the cold desert area. Contributing to goals 2, 8 and 15.

In Costa Rica, teams work with a group of local women in La Luchita, on an eco-tourism initiative to create a sustainable long-lasting source of income. Contributing to goals 5 and 8.

Jungle Junction is a project in Zambia, that involves teams contributing towards the buildings at a local school by making bricks for construction. Contributing to goals 4 and 9.

Seeing first-hand the impact of deforestation on wildlife and local communities or a beach littered with washed-up plastic threatening marine life – are experiences that will stay with you for a long time and influence your future choices. Our teams have the opportunity to support a range of impactful environmental initiatives;

In Cambodia, the Chi Phat Ecotourism Project helps the community to generate income through sustainable tourism rather than activity that threatens the forest ecosystems. Contributing to goals 8, 9 and 15.

The Monterosa Reforestation in Peru aims to preserve the flora and fauna within the valley that surrounds the very fragile Machu Picchu historical sanctuary. Contributing to goal 15.

In Borneo, teams work with the community of Batu Puteh to support sustainable livelihoods and provide continued benefits to the area, both economically and socially. Contributing to goals 8 and 15

We work with a vast range of conservation initiatives across the globe whose work helps to protect endangered wildlife and precious environments, all contributing to SDG 15 - life on land. Examples include;

At the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Borneo, teams help with work to protect and rehabilitate bears ready fo release back into the wild.

At the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, teams help with work to protect Botswana's last remaining population of rhino.

Another conservation initiative we work with is the ASIS Animal Sanctuary in Costa Rica, which helps to rehabilitate wild animals that are in danger of extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitat.