As the years progressed the abuse from my mother and her substance addiction became severe. She originally had six kids but as she got worse the fights increased between her and her kids and eventually, all but three of us ran away. I remained, even as the abuse persisted. I took on the challenge that would prove to be the most difficult one of my life. Ultimately, my mom took none of my advice and proceeded in her bad habits.

Despite the pain I’ve endured I am unbreakable. It’s my dreams that held me up, motivating me to stay on the college path and inspiring me to stay active in my community. I seek to go to college so that I can become a Pediatrician; but this is just the means to my end. My ultimate goal is to empower my community by keeping them and their families healthy. To achieve this end I seek to start a program that teaches youth and adults about general health and substance abuse. Substance abuse is like the common cold in my community so I am determined to use my college education to uplift my community out of substance abuse and addiction.

Over the summer my heart traveled with my soul to a place I never thought I would go: Nicaragua. I inhaled a new culture that opened my eyes, I was surrounded by a new language that was music to my ears, and devoured food so memorable I can still taste it. Gallo pinto, carne asada, and nacatamales, the native food of the Nicaraguenses, still sits on the tip of my tongue. Estelí, Nicaragua is where I experienced freedom. For the first time since I could remember, I left behind the boulders in my life that have weighed me down for so long.

But while I let go of my personal pain, I witnessed Nicaraguans enduring their own. I saw the poverty piling up on the streets as people lay on top of the trash as if they were pillows. Young boys walked barefoot begging for “un peso” as they pulled desperately on my clothes. For survival, people were forced to become entrepreneurs, selling phones, food, clothes, and shoes. People were rich in spirit and culture. I was ecstatic to see the radical activism in their culture with the monuments of armed pregnant women and youth fighting back, or murals of Nicaraguan heroes everywhere. I was impressed with how aware and involved the citizens were in the Socialist politics and how powerful the youth’s voice was. This experience altered my whole mind state—Nicaraguans were involved in their communities to become part of the solution. I must continue doing the same.

One way I continue being a leader in my community, like the youth in Nicaragua is as a Youth Outreach Worker (YOW). As a YOW, I support my peers to strive academically and teach them about health and community issues such as sex education and police brutality. One of my main purposes is to build unity and community at my school through planning events and teaching educational workshops because to share knowledge to the community so that in unity we can fight against the issues that effect us as one.

My life has been a never-ending uphill journey but through it all, I know one thing; that I’ve earned my dreams. Like Nicaraguans in their struggle for education and justice for their dreams with my voice and mind I will become part of my own solution which is to move on to the next level in my educational journey to my dream of being a Pediatrician. With the knowledge I gain I will bring it back to inform and empower my community with sharing the knowledge I gain in the class rooms.

Moneace is now a sophomore at SUNY Purchase in New York studying pre-med and interning at a local hospital. She is known to her peers and supporters as “MD Smith.”

HOW DO THEY APPLY? Students are nominated by educators or administrators at their school to participate in the Global Glimpse program. Nominations are based on demonstrated leadership, community involvement and potential for collegiate and career success. Once students are nominated, they apply and Global Glimpse staff and Board Members review and rank all applications. Global Glimpse accepts an average of 13 students per school. Global Glimpse received close to 700 applications this year!

ACCESSIBILITY: Global Glimpse provides generous needs-based scholarships based on family income, dependents in the home under 21, and the free and reduced lunch percentage at the school. This year Global Glimpse will provide close to $1 million in scholarships to close 60% of its students. Global Glimpse is committed to serving more low-income students than any other youth travel organization.

Bay Area Partner High Schools:

Independence High School, San Jose
Evergreen Valley High School, San Jose
Willow Glen High School, San Jose
June Jordan School for Equity, SF
Academy of Arts and Sciences, SF
Lowell High School, SF
Abraham Lincoln High School, SF
School of the Arts (SOTA), SF
South San Francisco High School, South SF
Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon
San Ramon Valley High School, San Ramon
Summit Prep Charter High School, Redwood City
Everest Public High School, Redwood City
Woodside High School, Woodside
Mills High School, Millbrae
San Marin High School, Novato
Analy High School, Sebastapol
Davis Senior High School, Davis
Berkeley High School, Berkeley
Fremont High School, Oakland
Oakland High School, Oakland
Lionel Wilson College Preparatory, Oakland
Oakland School for the Arts, Oakland
Emery High School, Emeryville
El Cerrito High School, El Cerrito
Castro Valley High School, Castro Valley
Impact Academy of Arts and Technology, Hayward
Mt. Eden High School, Hayward
Irvington High School, Fremont
James Logan High School, Union City
Pittsburg Senior High School, Pittsburg
John Swett High School, Crocket
Freedom High School, Oakley
Andrew P. Hill High School, San Jose
W.C. Overfelt High School, San Jose

Partner Organizations:
Global Glimpse also partners with a few youth development organizations that support students outside of their high schools. You may meet students who are from the following programs:

Summer Search: Bay Area, NYC, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston
Schuler Scholars: Chicago
College Track: Oakland

JJ at the La Chispa Library in Nicaragua, 2009

BACKGROUND
Born and raised in East San Jose, Jose Javier Lujano (JJ) is a first-generation Mexican-American, first-generation college student currently studying at Santa Clara University. JJ traveled to Matagalpa, Nicaragua with Global Glimpse in 2009.

MOST POWERFUL GG MOMENT
Visiting Barrio Francisco Moreno during the “Living on $1 a Day” reality challenge and walking for a brief moment in their shoes. I saw the people in the barrio walking barefoot among stinging ants and glass without
complaint when I wanted fresh Vans or Jordans every three months. I remember crying so hard, taking my shoes and socks off, and hiking barefoot to the water well. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my entire life, and one that I continue to share to this day.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE IMPACT
GG has made me realize that the issues we face in the United States are taken to further extremes in developing countries. Aside from being American, Nicaraguan, Asian, African or Mexican, we are HUMAN, and we must  work together to ensure every person on this earth has basic human rights. On my Global Glimpse trip I had the opportunity to speak to the mayor of Matagalpa; I walked out of that meeting feeling that politicians can and should do more. This experience made me think about the inefficiency of political systems all over the world and solidified my desire to go into politics. If I ever hold public office, I’ll look back on my Global Glimpse experience, and realize that I am in a position of power not to benefit myself but to give voice to the voiceless.

JJ studying abroad in London, 2012

WHERE ARE YOU NOW
The world does not end at US borders and I knew after Global Glimpse that it was imperative for me to see, experience, and understand more of the world. I am currently studying abroad in London at Imperial College. I am learning about the culture of the UK, British Politics, and the connections between Islam and the West.
I am participating in an amazing internship with the Labor Party Press Office at the Labor Party Headquarters in London! Already, I have had the opportunity to visit Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, and Rome, and will be visiting Paris and Switzerland soon. Global Glimpse opened a door to the world and I feel blessed to be here.

FUTURE PLANS
Most importantly I want to give back to my community. I want to start by serving my local community through some form of elected office while continuing to learn about the Middle East and how we can possibly attain peace in the region. I plan on running for San Jose City Council in 2013 while I finish my senior year at Santa Clara because I believe I can help rebuild East San Jose to be the safe and vibrant community that I remember from my childhood.

FUTURE WITH GLOBAL GLIMPSE
My time in Nicaragua with Global Glimpse in 2009 changed the way I see the world and my own opportunity to make a difference. I hope to maintain an active role in Global Glimpse as a member of the Alumni Council, helping to share my experiences with prospective students so that they too can reach their potential as young leaders.

Global Glimpse helped to unlock JJ’s leadership potential. Please help us do the same for 20 more amazing young leaders this holiday season!

Motivated by their life-changing experiences with Global Glimpse in Nicaragua during the summer of 2011, Canaan and Atsina applied to spend a year before college living, working, and learning in rural communities in Ecuador. We encourage our alumni to continue to expand their global perspective and step outside their comfort zone; Canaan and Atsina are doing just that and we look forward to following them throughout the year!

Canaan and Atsina together at a futbol game in Quito, Ecuador

What were the most powerful lessons you learned through Global Glimpse?

Atsina: The most powerful lesson I learned through Global Glimpse is that kindness and hard work are universal. I vividly remember on the $1 dollar day we spent an entire afternoon helping a local family clear a field with machetes; even with a language barrier I could see their genuine appreciation for our hard work. Global Glimpse provided me with the opportunity to give, but the Nicaraguan people also gave me so much in return. In Nicaragua for the first time I was truly able to let go of all personal limitations and simply go for it. I felt the power of others that wanted to make a difference as well and I believe there is no stopping the change that is possible with that mindset. 

Canaan: I learned the importance of sustainability and especially the need for sustainability in developing countries. I saw people with little money who lived in difficult circumstances, but they still had serenity and happiness in their lives. I found that inspiring and it has motivated me to love the simple things in life. In Nicaragua I discovered many passions including traveling, helping people, studying languages, and learning new cultures!

How did your experience with Global Glimpse impact your decision to apply for Global Citizen Year?

Atsina in Leon, Nicaragua with Global Glimpse in 2011

Atsina: Global Glimpse impacted my decision to apply to Global Citizen Year greatly because by the end of my three week journey in Nicaragua, I felt I had literally only had a “glimpse” into the possibilities of international work. I craved so much more. When Global Glimpse recommended me to Global Citizen Year I knew this program would fulfill that desire as well as give me the opportunity to learn Spanish, immerse in Ecuadorian culture through host families, and most importantly give back to others. Upon learning about my experiences through Global Glimpse and Global Citizen Year many people say, “Wow I wish I could have done something like that. I wish I had known.” Likewise, if I had not been nominated for Global Glimpse back in 2010 I never would have been able to access these opportunities either. Without the Global Glimpse experience under my belt I don’t know if I would have the courage to work outside of my comfort zone and live abroad for an entire year before college.

Canaan: I decided to apply to Global Citizen Year because I wanted to learn Spanish, explore a new culture, further my leadership skills and continue on a path of self-discovery. I would not have applied to Global Citizen Year if it wasn’t for my experience with Global Glimpse. Without Global Glimpse not only would I not have been introduced to the idea of a gap year program, but I also would not have had the opportunity to even discover my passion to learn about the world.  

How has your experience with Global Glimpse influenced the way in which you process things in Ecuador?

Atsina: My Global Glimpse experience influences the way I process things in Ecuador now in countless ways. I’m able to handle my immersion into my community without the fear of missing out back home in the same ways I did in Nicaragua. I’m more open minded when it comes to activities both with the group and host families because I see everything as another wonderful opportunity to learn (I actually look forward to the word “vamos!”). Through my experience with Global Glimpse I learned to pose developmental questions and overall to see the world in a different light without worries of culture shock or lack of empathy.

Canaan volunteering with kids in Quito, Ecuador

Canaan: With my Global Glimpse experience I feel more prepared traveling to new countries, adjusting to new languages, cultures, foods, people, and weather. I also have the foundation I need, through Global Glimpse, to be culturally aware and have the lenses I need to process the things I see in Ecuador in an effective way. Through Global Glimpse I learned the importance of asking questions, I find my understanding of Spanish, my community and the culture of Ecuador to come to me much smoother than I anticipated. 

How has your experience been with Global Citizen Year in Ecuador so far?

Atsina: My experience with Global Citizen Year thus far has been AMAZING. Both of my host families have showered me with so much love and patience and not to mention, heaping amounts of delicious food. Even in the short month I have been here I’ve noticed so much growth in the way I make choices in order to take responsibility for my time here. I can’t wait to look back at my transformation in six months! I definitely see Global Glimpse and Global Citizen Year impacting my life in the future as I move onto higher education, select a career path, or even take in a host student into my own home one day! I use these experiences to my advantage ever single day.

Canaan: My experience with Global Citizen Year so far has been amazing! I have become more comfortable in Spanish, which was such a difficult language for me throughout high school, and I’ve been fully immersed in the Ecuadorian culture from dances, to food, and laughter! I am trying new things constantly and I’m making great, long lasting friends. Global Glimpse definitely ignited many things I am now passionate about, and Global Citizen Year has supported my thirst to further discover these passions. I feel like the impact of these two experiences combined have and will change my lenses on life, my approach to society, cultivate my future profession and create a bond with the world.

Why do you believe this kind of experiential education abroad is important?

Atsina:I believe this kind of education is important for American youth because it is hands on experience. Nowadays, there are many college graduates who can’t find jobs and I believe it’s due to the lack of leadership training and learning outside of the classroom. The younger students are exposed to completely different environments outside of their comfort zone, the more resilient they will become. We need globally aware leaders who have the perspective and the drive to change the world. These programs are an excellent platform for self-discovery and human connection! 

Canaan: Many Americans are oblivious to the outside world in terms of cultures, foods, norms, living circumstances, and way of life. I feel like programs such as Global Glimpse and Global Citizen Year could break this unfortunate trend in American youth and instead ignite an intimate connection with countries around the world! Many things are learned through books, but sometimes the best way to learn is through actual immersion and experience. The kind of education that Global Glimpse and Global Citizen Year offer gives American youth the opportunity to discover themselves and find new passions they never knew they had.

Visit Global Citizen Year for more information on a bridge year abroad!

Global Glimpse Students Abroad – Meet Vivian from Global Glimpse on Vimeo.

Question of the Day: How does development connect with the mentalities and cultural values of communities?
As the group moves into its third and final week of the trip, as the community service project begins to take center stage in the mind’s and heart’s of the students, I felt it was important to slow down a bit and take stock.
In two weeks this trip has become far more than just travel and far more influential than the removed experience of a classroom setting. As I get the chance to talk with these wonderful young people and share in their experiences each day I have begun to feel less like a leader and more like a peer. Their maturity and knowledge was not something I took for granted before, but the extent of their growth and development as young people has impressed me very much.It’s strange, but I think fitting, that our day’s theme seems to not only reflect on this growth in the sense of global and local communities, but it something that I am recognizing take place in each one of them.

For a community, be it large or small, global or local, development is a process than can be just as destructive as it can be productive. Development can be deforestation, or the loss of unique cultural elements like language and medicinal practices, as the needs of the global community sweep down upon once isolated peoples and places and press them with a world of wants and needs. Development can also be bringing much needed knowledge and infrastructure to a community that is, instead, marginalized by environmental, economic and social forces beyond their control.
In an more complicated sense, though, neither of those outcomes is inherently good or bad. Development is change. We are all familiar with the adages about change, that change is inevitable, and change is both life and death. The one that comes to mind, now, though is – “You can not step twice into the same river.” In the context of Nicaragua, and of Esteli, the students are recognizing the truth of this adage each day they reach out to discover more about it.
For me, and I think for them as well, this is also true of the young adults they are becoming. They will not be the same people that left two weeks ago when they return to their families and friends, their homes and schools. They will live different lives in the States than they might have otherwise.

Through their efforts and sacrifices, through the obstacles and with perseverance, these young people continue to step into new rivers, and become them, too. Old concepts of the world, of their lives, of the lives of their parents are being destroyed. Torn down, at least in part, are things in their lives once taken for granted. In this sense, development is destructive, but the change is good.

In place, where once stood the effects of modern conveniences and the once unappreciated good fortune of their birth and upbringing, these students have build up a sense of desire and responsibility. Ideals and idealism are being constructed on new foundations of knowledge and love. The truth of the world and the necessity of the dedication necessary to affect it are becoming powerfully understood. Here again is development, and here again the change is good.

Today, as we listened to our speakers from ISNAYA share with us the circumstances that brought about their organization and careers, and as we toured their organic farm of medicinal plants, I got the sense that their were more things growing, more being planted, than seeds of basil, lemon balm and passion fruit. As I drank the herbal teas and shared a moment of calm with the students after a series of stressful days and nights, I felt a sense of warmth and comfort that was more than just the effect of warm water and dried plant.

Peace and development have been taking shape in us – gestating, sprouting, reaching toward cleaner air and purer light. And as these seeds, now growing, approach their time to bloom, as these rivers wind their path onward, I thought it was important to look back toward the source, and appreciate the soil from which this growth has been made possible.
When we return home in the coming days, know that the greetings you receive from us, and the good-byes we leave each other are all part of the process. Another change that is both a breaking and a building; both different and the same. In each embrace we will share, as in each moment we share now, know that we are expressing a thank you.
Thank you for this chance to change. Thank you for changing with us.
Nick Busselman