In this episode, Stephanie Olson sits down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware, to explore the evolving world of volunteer abroad programs and ethical service vacations. Kimberly discusses Globe Aware’s mission to create meaningful, community-driven volunteer experiences in over 25 countries, emphasizing cultural immersion, safety, and long-term local impact.
Unlike traditional tourism, these experiences allow participants to work alongside local communities on impactful projects while immersing themselves in new cultures and environments. Globe Aware’s volunteer vacations are meticulously planned and led short-term international service programs available in various countries around the globe.
Corporate volunteer vacations are changing the way companies think about employee engagement, team building, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). These trips are more than just a group outing; they combine meaningful service projects with immersive cultural experiences, aligning company values with global community impact. With years of experience, Globe Aware specializes in creating and managing corporate service trips that involve staff at all levels in sustainable, community-driven work abroad.
As a nonprofit organization offering short-term volunteer programs worldwide, Globe Aware’s corporate volunteer vacations are designed to benefit everyone involved: communities get support for local priorities, employees experience professional and personal growth, and companies enhance their culture and brand reputation.
A Cambodia volunteer vacation with Globe Aware offers a powerful way to combine meaningful service with cultural immersion in the heart of Southeast Asia. Based in Siem Reap, the gateway to the iconic Angkor Wat temples, this program invites volunteers from around the world to join community-driven projects that support education, infrastructure, sustainability, and local wellbeing – all while experiencing Cambodia’s rich history and resilient spirit.
Gap year travel is all about exploration, personal growth, and stepping into new cultures with purpose. For many young people and lifelong learners alike, a conventional trip isn’t enough – you want to connect, contribute, and leave a positive mark. Globe Aware offers exactly that: professionally planned volunteer travel programs that blend meaningful service with cultural immersion in destinations around the globe.
Unlike typical tourism, Globe Aware’s approach to gap year travel is rooted in the nonprofit’s mission to promote cultural awareness, sustainability, and mutual understanding. Every volunteer vacation is designed to support projects chosen by local communities and to make a genuine, lasting impact while giving volunteers a deep, respectful cultural exchange.
Service organizations have long been at the heart of community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership development. But what if your next big service project didn’t stay local – what if it transformed lives around the world while deepening your team’s connection, compassion, and global awareness? At Globe Aware, service organizations of all kinds – from Greek life and school clubs to nonprofit and civic groups – experience volunteer trips that combine purposeful service with cultural immersion in communities across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and beyond. These carefully designed experiences allow your group to serve alongside local partners, contribute to meaningful projects, and return home with new perspectives that enrich both service and life.
Travel has the power to broaden minds and create lasting memories – but when families combine exploration with meaningful service, that experience becomes transformative.Family volunteer vacations allow families to travel together, contribute to community-led projects, and build stronger bonds through shared purpose and adventure. Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization specializing in immersive service travel, offers professionally led family programs designed to promote cultural awareness and sustainable community impact.
In a world where purpose and performance go hand in hand, corporate volunteer vacations are emerging as an effective strategy for companies seeking to strengthen teams, give back to global communities, and elevate brand reputation. Globe Aware, a nonprofit leader in service travel, specializes in custom volunteer travel experiences that unite staff around shared goals while supporting sustainable community-led projects around the world.
Costa Rica is more than a tropical getaway-it’s a place where volunteer travel can transform both lives and perspectives. With Globe Aware’s service vacation programs, you’ll combine meaningful service with cultural immersion, hands-on work, and the beauty of Costa Rica’s natural landscapes.
When most travelers think of Machu Picchu Peru, visions of mist-shrouded Inca ruins, emerald terraces, and breathtaking mountain views come to mind. But what if your journey could go deeper – beyond sightseeing – into meaningful engagement with local people and culture? With a Globe Aware volunteer vacation, this iconic destination becomes a gateway to purpose-driven travel that blends adventure with impact.
