See You Soon in Costa Rica

Hola, Glimpsers!

My name is Julio Ortiz. I’m a software engineer by profession, and together with Dianna, I’ll be one of your Program Coordinators during this incredible adventure in Costa Rica. Our goal is to make this experience one of the most meaningful, enriching, and memorable journeys of your lives.

I’m passionate about traveling, discovering new cultures, and connecting with people from different parts of the world. I also love spending time in nature, learning from every place I visit, and being a responsible traveler who respects local communities and the environment.

My passion for community service began when I was in high school. During those years, I participated in several local organizations that supported children and young people in my community. Thanks to those experiences, I had the opportunity to join my first international volunteer program in Nicaragua in 2018.

For three months, I lived away from my family, stayed with a host family, worked on community projects, and shared experiences with people from different cultures. It was a challenging, exciting, and life-changing experience that helped me grow as a leader, develop new skills, and build friendships that I still cherish today. In fact, many of the emotions, lessons, and challenges you will experience during this program are very similar to what I experienced during my own volunteer journey.

That’s one of the reasons I’m especially excited to be part of your experience. I know you may arrive with expectations, questions, and maybe even a few nerves, but I also know that you’ll return home with new perspectives, greater confidence in yourselves, and memories that will stay with you for years to come.

I’m thrilled that you chose Costa Rica, and I can’t wait to share our culture, incredible biodiversity, local communities, and, of course, our delicious food with you. My hope is that your Global Glimpse experience inspires you to become more curious, thoughtful, and engaged leaders in your communities and beyond.

And before I finish, one important warning: I’m a huge coffee lover! So don’t be surprised if you see me walking around with a cup of Costa Rican coffee in my hand most of the time.

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you very soon!

Pura Vida!

My name is Dianna Velazquez, and together with Julio, I’ll be one of your Program Coordinators during your Global Glimpse journey in Costa Rica. This is my fourth year with Global Glimpse—my first year was in the Dominican Republic, my hometown, followed by three incredible summers leading programs in Costa Rica. I’m excited to be part of your experience and help make it a meaningful, fun, and unforgettable adventure.

I’ve worked in education for over 10 years and in experiential education and international programs for the past five. I’m passionate about helping students learn through travel, cultural exchange, and new experiences outside the classroom.

I love traveling, sports, learning languages, and connecting with people from different cultures. When I’m not teaching or leading programs, you can usually find me practicing martial arts, longboarding, exploring nature, or planning my next trip.

One thing I love most about Global Glimpse is seeing students grow in confidence, leadership, and independence throughout the program. I know this journey will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you with memories and friendships that will last for years.

I can’t wait to meet all of you, hear your stories, and share this amazing experience together in Costa Rica.

See you soon!
Pura Vida!