Hello Glimpsers! Let’s get ready to rumbleee!

Hi Glimpsers and families!  My name is Chloe Keene, and I am one of the Global Glimpse Leaders (or GGLs) for our upcoming trip to Las Tablas, Panama.  I’m also an English teacher at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Chicago, IL (swoop swoop!).  I am so excited to witness the growth each student will experience on this trip and to encourage you, both when that growth feels good and when it feels tough.

I love traveling and have been to 8 countries and 23 states in the U.S. My most recent international trip was to the Dominican Republic last year with Global Glimpse. It was an incredible trip! Even as a leader, I learned so much about the country and Dominican history and culture. I even got to practice my Spanish, which is always a good thing! I’m excited to do it all again in Panama this year with you all.

I did a language immersion in high school and then studied abroad in college, and both experiences were so transformative and big motivations for me to co-lead this trip. I think seeing the world beyond our hometown (and even our home country) makes us better people.  If you’ll let it, traveling and participating in other cultures and ways of living makes you more knowledgeable, more well-rounded, more open, more empathetic–the list goes on and on.  I know that I am a better daughter, sister, friend, coworker, teacher, and leader because of my travels, so get excited for the ways this trip will shape you!

Here are a couple of tips (as someone who took her first domestic and international trips on programs without her parents, just like some of you are about to do!):

• Wear a hoodie or sweatshirt and gym shoes for the plane ride.  Even if it is hot in Chicago when we leave, and it is hot when we get to Panama, it can get really chilly on planes.  Plus, wearing those bulky things to and from the airport means more room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
• Practice saying “yes” to new experiences.  Best case scenario: you learn about a new dish, activity, or way of thinking that you enjoy or resonate with.  Even if you end up not liking it, you’ll have a new awareness of what you like and don’t like and, potentially, a good story to tell when you get home.
• Keep the things you’ll want for the plane rides in your carry-on (headphones, books, snacks, etc.).

I can’t wait to meet you all, and I will see you at O’Hare TOMORROW at 4:10 am in Terminal 1! I’ll have my GG shirt on 🙂

Big Love,

Chloe