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Post-trip: Macy Bargen

During this trip, I learned so many important things. I learned about myself, my culture, and how the environment interacts with the natives. I found friends from all over, and I strive to rekindle these relationships if we ever meet again. Before arriving in Hawaii, I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to learn and have unique experiences but feared I would not make friends or enjoy it. I was exceedingly wrong. I made friends from all over the world, which only made my learning more enjoyable. This trip allowed me to realize most of my anxiety is in my head, and if I want it bad enough, I can accomplish it. I have had significant anxiety since I was a little girl, and I think this program helped me take the first step. I can now take control of my anxiety and do the things I want to do without fear of getting in the way. One of the reasons I wanted to go on this trip was to see the natives. My Great Grandmother passed away recently, and I realized I have never been close to the land or my ...
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Post-trip: Tegan Inns

I have felt an intense amount of growth during this trip. The amazing people who surrounded me influenced me to become a better person. Alyssa and Riya's selflessness inspired me to do things for others, even if they're little. And Gibson's love for nature made me realize I was taking my beautiful home for granted. Recently my mom and I have been struggling to get along but hearing everyone's stories in the trust circle made me realize I was not trying hard enough to repair our relationship. But most of all, Hawaiian culture changed me. Their passion and love for their history and land opened my eyes to a new point of view. I had always seen life as eat, sleep, school, repeat. Hawaiian culture made me realize life was whatever I wanted it to be, and as I mentioned above, I wanted it to be an adventure. I wanted to make more time for nature and adventure. The story of tourism almost destroyed Kiholo Bay, but Lehua Kamaka took things into her own hands and restored the wh...
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Post-trip: Isabella Yeung

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After the GEL’s week, I experienced post-vacation depression. I am truly thankful for being in this program and getting the opportunity to meet with locals who want change to happen on this small island. In the beginning, I initially thought that team building was considered stupid. As I never really wanted to rely on people. I only heard about this program because I could learn how to care for our environment and learn more about ocean life. But as the days pass, I’ve met remarkable people who make me laugh and learn. These people became like family to me when we started to show what we’ve been through. I’ve learned that I am a person who likes to plan things and has to have order when I’m around. Or that I can be boring sometimes or too stingy. I do believe that I wasn’t the same person I was before. Though I am reserved, I no longer feel like I have a pessimistic attitude toward working in groups. As this program ended, it will be one of my most memorable experiences.
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Post-trip: Jonathan Moon

Spending one whole week with a group of strangers initially seemed like an impossible task. A trip full of awkward silences was a reality I was resigned to when signing up for this program. I could not have imagined the sheer number of activities the group would partake in, allowing us to form bonds that usually would have taken months. In what seems like too short of a time, I’ve established close friendships, learning more about the nineteen other people in the course and myself. I entered this course to get a good grade and, hopefully, something I could write in my college application. However, what I’ve gotten is infinitely more valuable in that I’ve formed relationships with others that will last longer than the week spent together. Now, I have new connections not only in multiple states of the US but all over the world. Saying goodbye to a group of close friends after just a week seemed impossible; however, I got through the farewells knowing that I would be meeting these people ...
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Post-trip: Rylee Struve

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  For as long as I can remember, I've been passionate about environmental sustainability. I've done things, big and small, throughout my life that reflect this, like becoming a vegetarian or educating friends and family on how to live more sustainably.  Recently, though, I've not been performing actions that reflect this, at least to the extent that I should. The end of the school year had me slumped, and I didn't care about anything other than getting good grades. This followed me into summer break, and without school to focus on, I was sitting around all day doing nothing.  The GELS program has helped me break out of this mindset. I got to be outside in such a beautiful environment, which made me realize how much I've been neglecting my environment.  I found that anywhere we went, whether at the top of a volcano or just a quick stop on the side of the road, I could appreciate the world's beauty. Hawai'i is unique, and its environment is like no other place...
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Post-trip: New Friends and Cultural Pride by Alexis Clarke

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At the beginning of this week, I was afraid. I was afraid I wouldn’t fit in or make new friends. Now that this program has ended, I find those thoughts immensely amusing. I made friends with nineteen new people, and we are so close we are like a family. I never thought I could make so many friends let alone in such a short time. These people have taught me that being weird is good, such as listening to eclectic music from the 50s, that laughing so hard your stomach hurts is one of the greatest feelings that you can have, and that being vulnerable is a good thing. This program has made me a happier, more extroverted, and better all-around person, so much so that words cannot decipher the feelings I have in my heart.   Another thing that I want to discuss is the cultural pride that the Hawai’ians have in their hearts. Lehua Alapai of the Dryland Forest shared how people have left her land for cheaper living, especially in Las Vegas, Nevada. She divulged how people did not teach ...
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Post trip: Anna Huebner

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  On the first night of the trip, I arrived long after everybody else. Susan was talking to a quiet room of other kids who silently looked up at me from the circle as I sat down. The last night, we sat on the couch encircling the living room, sadly counting the hours until we had to say goodbye. Going into the program, I would never have expected such a stark change, nor could I have hoped to grow such love for the people I would only get to know for a week. Not only did I get to grow so much in a short time, but so did everybody else. One of the things I learned pertained to one of the seven Cs, the consciousness of self. It seemed like for others, this C was learning about self-boundaries, but for me, it was about breaking through the barriers I thought I had. Knowing yourself isn't about knowing what you can do; it's knowing when that isn't enough, and you need to push yourself to do more. The seven Cs also introduced new ideas to me. I didn't know what congruence is...
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