CLOSING reflection DAY! :(

Hi Glimpse Families! They saved the best for last: it’s the best, amazing, handsome, intelligent, humerous leaders Chris and Zyelle.


Wow, it been 11 days already…. it’s crazy to think that many of us were shy kids clinged to our phones to now blooming like flowers, talking and actually making valuable interaction with strangers. I could see all the parents saying something like “finally! y’all can do so much more without phones” but lets be real, y’all be using phones a lot too (yes i’m including the shade lol). But seriously, over these 11 days we’ve learned a lot about ourselves and learned more about others and the cultura of panama. Starting from shy and awkward interactions at the airport, to the groans and annoyance of the humid air and then finally to becoming people who feel like we knew each other for centuries and not just 11 days.

Our question of the day was “How has this trip impacted you?”. All of us said that this trip not only pushed us out of our comfort zone and taught us to adapt to things we are not used to, but it also made us open ourselves up to strangers and make friends with not only our fellow glimpsers, but with the staff and the locals. AND THE MOST BEST OF IT ALL (mainly me), helped us learned a new language and understand cultural life of the people in LAS TABLAS!!

Our quote of the day, and by far the best quote “Every end has a beginning, you just got to write it” – said by Christopher W & Zyelle S. This quote stuck to us hard because it is the end of this project and it really stinks to leave, but even though our experience here in Panama is ending, there are new opportunities for all of us opened up because of the connections and friends we made along the way. So, techinally, there is no end to this, just a newer version of a beginning.

From Chris: I honestly thought i wasn’t going to love this trip because it was uncomfortable and i was too comfortable with just being stuck texting my friends and staying home. But as this trip progressed, I not only loved the people here, but i loved the cultura and i’m going to miss the memorias here.

From Zyelle: If I said I was looking forward to this trip i’d be lying, i applied for this oppurtunity last fall, i got accepted not too long after, and attended all of the zoom meetings and even then, I still wasn’t sure if I was prepared. Little did I know that this uncertainity would be the key to getting me out my comfort zone. When i first arrived at the airport i was hesitant, I saw a lot of familar faces, but yet they were all still strangers. It was weird, I didnt know what to say or how to act. Instead of greeting everyone I stayed to myself, which would lead to Chris (my partner) to step up to me and introduce himself. I wanted to thank him for that interaction because he lifted the weight off my shoulders, he broke the ice. After that Emmanuel and Rachel came up to us and introduced themselves as well and from there it was smooth sailing, they set the tone, They created an environment where everyone could unapologetically be themselves. Once we landed in Panama every thing we prepared became a reality. We called our families and said our final goodbyes for the next 11 days… our phones and passports were confiscated, and we started our journiess. A Journey none of us could be truly ready for. The first few days were rocky, but after day 3 we all a good idea about who everyone was and what they stand for. As we continued to explore this amazing and beautiful country, our bonds grew stronger, esspecially after each challenge we faced. From stepping in goat manure to digging what fellt like endless holes on the beach. From Kind hearted moments , to hard work and dedication. From laughter and sweat to tears and dread, it’s almost as if we became family, from the way we cared for one another and to how we joked and laughed with each other. I could go on and on and on about how we came together and bonded, but im going to end it here and tell my fellow glimpsers how much i appreciate them for making this trip so memorable. Now im going to spam all the spanish words ive learned, baso(cup), hielo(ice), mentioroso(liar), corazón(heart), familia(family), memoria(memory), tortuga(turtle), cultura(culture), i have way more but this is getting too long, i have a quote to share,” Its all love”-LiL Durk.

Note from GG Staff:

Comments submitted on this blog are reviewed by the Global Glimpse team before appearing publicly. Approved comments will be visible on the website within 24 hours. Thank you for your patience and for supporting your student’s journey!

Los comentarios enviados en este blog son revisados por el equipo de Global Glimpse antes de ser publicados. Los comentarios aprobados serán visibles en el sitio web dentro de las 24 horas. ¡Gracias por su paciencia y por apoyar el viaje de su estudiante!