Global Works
Global works
Working alongside local community members, you will experience grassroots, meaningful service. Global Works students will have in depth conversations about what it means to have sustainable community development and leave with a broader sense of their impact on both their local and world community. Global Works fosters a deeper sense of what it means to truly be a global citizen!
Age Range:
14-18 year olds
Location:
Costa Rica, Spain, Puerto Rico
Trip Duration:
8-17 days
Dates:
June-August (see specific trip for exact dates)
ID Needed:
NY REAL ID, Passport (not for Puerto Rico)
participation REQUIREMENTS
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Click the buttons under each trip for the application and enrollment links per program. When applying, be sure to check “pay by check” to bypass the application fee (this is on Summer Search!)
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Required enrollment paperwork includes:
Health history
Results from a physical exam
Immunization report
Student profile
Copy of your passport
If you do not have a current US passport, you may enroll in an international program. We strongly encourage you to start the passport application/ renewal process no later than January 15, 2025.
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You must attend the virtual student and parent orientation hosted by Summer Search Boston in May. Click here to register or visit our events page for more information.
Make sure to attend your Goodbye Group to receive your equipment and travel itinerary, and to meet the other Summer Searchers who will be traveling with the same program!
About the Programs
This section includes general program information that is true for all available trip locations. Check out each program below for details that differ per program.
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Global Works students have the opportunity to stay in a variety of living accommodations. Some are dorm-style lodges or youth hostels that sleep 4-10 students per room, and others are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by 2-4 students. Everyone will have their own bed, space, and access to a private bathroom. Students will be required to share in the cooking responsibilities at some locations.
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This is an open enrollment program, which means non-Summer Searchers will be able to join your group and you’ll meet folks from diverse backgrounds. There may be a couple of other Summer Searchers attending the same program, but most people will probably not know each other!
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You will not be able to use your phones or any electronic device that connects to the internet once you arrive in-country with program leaders. However, limited communication with family/friends back home is available. Within the first five nights, you can call home to let your family know that you have arrived safely and how you are settling in. There will also be optional opportunities for you to call home once a week throughout the trip.
Parents and Guardians are always able and welcome to call the program if necessary — leaders always have working cell phones and service. Global Works will also be updating their trip travel blogs every 1-2 days.
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We recommend bringing $100 for personal spending. You may want to do laundry or buy snacks and souvenirs along the way! You should also bring something small ($5-20) for your host family.
Costa Rica: Intro to Pre-Med & Public Health
Spend seventeen days contributing to the efforts of improving public health through clean water projects and educational outreach. Learn from physicians and healthcare professionals and gain practical field experience in beautiful Costa Rica.
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Engage in education projects with school children, zip line through the rainforest canopy, and gain community service hours (45-55 hours) while enjoying the high adventure opportunities of Costa Rica. You will gain practical field experience, help implement public health campaigns, and receive certificates in Wilderness First Aid and Mental Health First Aid.
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Available Sessions:
June 23 - July 9, 2025
July 14 - July 30, 2025
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You will need to travel by plane to Costa Rica. A NY REAL ID and a valid passport are required to travel internationally. Students will travel by private bus while in-country.
While our sophomores are chaperoned at every point of their journeys, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the airport. Program staff typically meet students at the airport and travel with you to your in-country destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the U.S.
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This will be updated in March 2025. Check back in then!
Spain: Sustainable Communities & Mediterranean Culture
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language, engage in sustainable living projects, and gain community service hours (30-40 hours) while visiting iconic landmarks, vibrant cities, and charming rural communities.
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From Madrid to the Duratón River Canyon to Granada, this trip will show you the heart of Spain. You will learn traditional skills, dances and techniques, hike, stargaze, canoe, attend workshops, enjoy beach time, and even enjoy a beekeeping lesson. Round out the experience by working on multiple community service projects, including a beach cleanup.
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Available Sessions:
June 28 - July 14, 2025
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You will need to travel by plane to Spain. A NY REAL ID and U.S. passport are required to fly internationally. Baggage fees are included for this program ONLY. Students will travel by private bus, high-speed rail, canoe/kayak, and bicycle while in-country.
While you may have been chaperoned as a sophomore, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the drop-off location. Program staff typically meet students at the station and travel with you to your final destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the train station/pick-up location.
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This will be updated in March. Check back in then!
Puerto Rico: Hurricane Relief
Spend 8 days on this experience focused on hurricane relief and disaster prevention efforts. The projects you work on will improve infrastructure for families and communities to withstand a future hurricane and also recover more efficiently. Learn about local customs while working alongside community members.
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Home reconstruction and fortification service work are the heart of this program, with projects designed for and with local families. Learn about sustainable forestry and rainforest enrichment, explore Puerto Rico’s most historic cities, and sea kayak in a bioluminescent bay. Relax on the beach and learn local customs while earning 30-35 community service hours by helping communities improve their infrastructure and restore their natural environments.
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Available Sessions:
June 15 - June 22, 2025
June 25 - July 2, 2025
July 7 - July 14, 2025
July 30 - August 6, 2025
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You will need to travel by plane to Puerto Rico. A NY REAL ID is required to fly. Students will travel by private bus while in-country.
While our sophomores are chaperoned at every point of their journeys, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the airport. Program staff typically meet students at the airport and travel with you to your in-country destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the U.S.
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This will be updated in March 2025. Check back in then!
“My first goal is to embrace the culture there, you know, fostering new relationships. My second goal is to leave Costa Rica learning one thing that helps me with my future passion in the medical field. My last goal is to embrace the change that I’m going to experience there. I’m hoping that Costa Rica will change me in a way that will further me as an individual.”
Summer Search provides a variety of resources to support you in preparing for your Summer Experience. From travel tips to what to expect from outdoor activities to live events, we got you!
Remember that your mentor is always your best resource! Reach out if you have any questions or need help with your application.
Need to schedule office hours with the Summer Team? Create a Calendly appointment here!
