As Thanksgiving approaches, we reflect on the things we are grateful for more than ever. A roof over our head, a meal to eat, clothes to wear, friends to hug, the opportunity to go to school…the opportunity to travel.

We’ve seen firsthand what it’s like for children and families who don’t have basic needs, people who rely on others with hearts big enough to help out.

BONNIE SHARING A SWEET MOMENT WITH A CHILD IN GREECE.

BONNIE SHARING A SWEET MOMENT WITH A CHILD IN GREECE.

So, we’ve begged our parents to send us on what “seemed like” (and actually turned out to be) “the coolest study abroad trip ever,” because we wanted to be those people with the big hearts and give back.

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LEAD CAPE TOWN STUDENT CAROLE ANNE NELSON WRITES A MESSAGE TO HER PARENTS IN THE SAND IN CAMPS BAY

Along the way, we’ve allowed ourselves to build relationships through developing brand new friendships with others and through soul-searching within ourselves, and in those moments and opportunities, so many of our wishes came true.

ASHTON THROWING A COIN INTO THE TREVI FOUNTAIN IN ROME

ASHTON THROWING A COIN INTO THE TREVI FOUNTAIN IN ROME

On the last day of our programs, we do an exercise with our students on reflecting about the things we are grateful for in our lives, abroad and at home, and how we can express that gratitude. After discussion, we give the students blank letters and allow them to sit and reflect and write thank-you notes to the people who made their study abroad experiences possible. Helping students get abroad to have such a meaningful experience from which they can learn and grow is something we are so grateful for at Go Global. We believe we are changing the world from the inside out.

Go Global would like to take this time to thank all parents and students for their involvement, support, and participation in the program! Thank you for helping us change lives, within our community of students and around the world. We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

-Anna and the Go Global team