Why People Go

Everyone who comes to Global PACT is interested in activism, change and community development. But what they want to get out of the experience is as varied as they are. Students take the course for credit, working professionals for skills, and retirees to give back. Some reasons are very personal and others are more community focused. So the question really is: what do you want from your Global PACT experience abroad?

Here are some examples of what past participants have gained from their experiences:

To feel a sense of accomplishment:

“[The program was] easily the most rewarding experience of my life. In three short weeks we managed to accomplish so much -- from conjuring up the project idea to securing partnerships throughout Grahamstown with businesses that are willing to support us.”
~Madison, Global PACT South Africa

To realize your potential:

"Global PACT has made me realize my individual potential to have a voice and make a difference in my community.  This was a very rewarding experience and made me realize the value of community service and reaching out to partner with others."
~Adam, Global PACT South Africa

To open your eyes:

“Since our initial proposal, we’ve come a long way, and even started training some of the [local women] to film around town. Today we had a major breakthrough in a personal interview with a young girl who was trafficked from Bangkok…I am honored to be working with such strong, determined young women who want to change the world starting in their own communities, even if it means risking their own lives. They’ve certainly taught me more about life than they know, and we grow closer every day.”
~Greg, Global PACT Thailand 2007

"While this program has been some of the greatest times any of us have ever had, we've also seen and heard about terrible evil that most Westerners never come into contact with."
~Dan, Global PACT Thailand

To make friends:

"I am very joyful. Even though the training happened within a very short period of time, we have been able to get to know each other well and learn a lot."
~Mugi, Global PACT Mongolia

 To travel:

"Last Sunday was one of the best days of my entire life. Traveling in a group of twelve in a convoy of motorcycles, we took the day to drive through the entire Northern mountain range between Myanmar and Thailand. We had some hilarious moments along the way -- like a local Akha tribe filling my friend's gas tank with whiskey, swimming with a bunch of Thai kids in a reservoir, and perhaps most memorable -- sneaking our way up the scaffolding of a temple to watch the sunset, and later skillfully evading the alerted guards to sneak down a mountain back to our bikes. We also visited monasteries, orchid gardens, and stood between three countries, enjoying each others' company in the most beautiful place any of us had ever seen."