What if your next vacation changed a community and changed you? In this episode, Jake sits down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder/CEO of Globe Aware, to unpack the reality of short-term, no-politics/no-proselytizing volunteer vacations—one-week service projects designed to build cultural awareness, gratitude, and real-world impact.

Globe Aware volunteers might find it surprising that the US passport has dropped out of the top 10 on the Henley Passport Index, now tied for 12th place with Malaysia. Meanwhile, these countries lead the rankings with the most visa-free access worldwide.

US drops out of world’s most powerful passport top 10 list for the first time

By Maureen O’Hare
Oct 14, 2025
CNN

World’s most powerful passports of 2025

World’s most powerful passports: For the first time ever, the United States has slipped out of the top 10 in the Henley Passport Index, a global ranking of travel mobility. It now holds 12th position in the rankings, tied with Malaysia. (San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is pictured).

India Visa Update for Globe Aware Volunteers! As part of its move toward more modern immigration procedures, India has officially launched its digital arrival card for foreign travelers this month. Find out more about this new entry requirement in today’s blog.

India officially launches e-Arrival Card

As part of its shift toward more modern immigration procedures, India is officially launching its digital arrival card for foreign travelers on October 1, 2025. Available online or through a mobile app, this new entry requirement will coexist with the traditional paper version during a six-month transitional period.

By VisasNews
October 1, 2025

As of October 1, 2025, foreign travelers arriving in India can now complete their arrival card online through a new official platform. This digital document, called the e-Arrival Card, is designed to streamline the entry process into India while reducing paper usage.

VisasNews had already mentioned this possibility in our article last week, when the portal was still in beta mode and its October 1 launch date was just speculation based on local media reports.

Stanford’s Executive Director of Sustainability Utilities and Infrastructure interviews Kimberly Haley-Coleman about how international development work can be done in a way that truly serves local communities and respects their culture, rather than imposing external solutions. Lincoln and Kimberly discuss the importance of fostering cultural connections and empathy through international service, the evolution of Globe Aware‘s projects over 25 years, and the significance of understanding community needs. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of volunteer work, the sustainability of projects, and the transformative experiences for volunteers. Kimberly emphasizes the need for deep listening and collaboration with local communities to ensure meaningful outcomes.

In this podcast conversation, we explore the transition from executive leadership to volunteer-driven roles and how designing a life centred on giving back can create lasting impact. Through the lens of volunteer service vacations and ethical travel, we explore how to bridge professional success with global purpose — utilizing skills, time, and resources to empower communities. Key themes include valuing depth over breadth, building intentional teams, and recognizing the expertise of local partners. Whether through short-term service vacations, volunteering overseas or ongoing volunteer work, giving back isn’t a break from achievement — it’s an evolution of it. That transforms your life and theirs; transformational travel!

Globe Aware volunteers will recognize several of our volunteer vacation destinations among this year’s favorites, celebrated for their rich culture, warm hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.

The best countries in the world: 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards

Europe dominated this year’s list of the countries Traveller readers have been choosing to go – matching what you were probably seeing all over Instagram

October 7, 2025
Condé Nast Traveller

Italy is a perennial favourite in our awards – when you see its scores for food, scenery and places to stay, well, that’s amore. More of a surprise is this year’s runner-up, though it shouldn’t be: in 2024, Qatar, with its world-class restaurants, museums and activities, drew more visitors than Malta and Jamaica. Once reclusive Bhutan is having a moment, thanks to its dragon-fired culture; Japan was rated highly for things to do and its streamlined transport; and you loved Thailand for its pungent food and famous welcome – a criterion that Morocco also embraced. In that spirit, a high five for Estonia: this is the Baltic nation’s first showing in our awards, with impressive scores for its slow-burn culture and outdoor activities.

Halloween season is here, and Globe Aware volunteers can join in the spooky fun. Learn how these customs began and discover the origins of Halloween’s favorite symbols and colors.

The History of Halloween: Why We Celebrate the Haunted Holiday

Discover the origins of trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and other beloved Halloween traditions.

Sept. 29, 2025
By Sarah Lemire
TODAY

Halloween season has officially arrived. Dedicated to all things spooky, Oct. 31 is the one time of year that being a witch, werewolf or vampire is not only allowed, it’s totally encouraged.

But did you ever wonder why we dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating on Halloween night? How about carving pumpkins or playing pranks?

Since 1990, Kimberly Haley-Coleman has built long-term partnerships and projects across the nonprofit and for-profit sectors worldwide. Before co-founding Globe Aware, she served as Vice President of Business Development for aerospace firm Team Encounter and led international expansion efforts for Infotriever, a Canadian communications company. As Director of International Business Development at Telescan (now InvestTools), she developed strategic relationships across 20 countries, helping millions access free financial education tools. She also contributed to the launch of CNBC.com as interim Product Manager and co-developed Dcipher, an AI-driven investment analysis engine that provides free, real-time portfolio insights.

Marco sits down with Globe Aware founder Kimberly Haley-Coleman to explore the impact of volunteer vacations and volunteering abroad. In this inspiring episode, they discuss how young adults can make a difference through short-term service trips, also known as volunteer vacations, to gain cultural awareness and travel with purpose. Discover practical tips for responsible travel, explore global volunteering opportunities, and learn how serving communities worldwide can broaden your perspective.

Eunoia Health Tech bridges critical gaps for community populations at high risk of lacking life’s basic needs. In this episode, the hosts interview Kimberly Haley-Coleman, president of Globe Aware, on global community, growth and funding challenges for non-profits, and how, through service abroad, volunteer vacations and voluntourism, you can help yourself and others.