1. Low Costs

Look around the internet, compare our prices with other youth travel programs of similar ambition, and you will quickly realize that our price cannot beat. Because we're in this to learn and grow not to make money, we keep the price as low as possible, and we don't need money to make up for the unrealistic advertising we do (because we don't do it). We are able to be honest and upfront about our mission and our expectations. With Operation Wisdom's Global Expeditions, you know EXACTLY what you sign up for. 

2. Safe and Loving Host Countries

Every Global Expeditions host country must meet a list of essential standards, including safety, educational opportunities, cultural immersion, and global partnerships. Additionally, our instructors have spent significant time in each country prior to bringing students. Ghana, for example, is not only one of the most peaceful countries on the African continent, it also represents a microcosm of everything Africa has to offer the first time visitor: stunning scenery, wonderful people, and vibrant cultures. In short, Ghana provides the perfect context for global studies.

Operation Wisdom is currently working on our second international trip -- Kenya -- and hope to launch this program in the next few years.

3. Meet our Wonderful Global Partners

Operation Wisdom is much bigger than one group of students. It is an extensive network of people and organizations from around the world working together to provide the knowledge and inspiration necessary for our youth to become leaders in their global communities. ​We rely on our Global Partners, a network of carefully vetted organizations and institutions, to deliver our curriculum while we are in country. The Global Partners teach our students not only about the issues that their communities face, but also how our students can address these issues in an ethical way. 

4. Conscientious Tourism

Operation Wisdom believes that one of the best ways to support the countries and communities that host us is to support their economy. This is why we are so proud to say that 100% of our program fee ends up in our host country. There is no other youth travel program that can say this. Our instructors do not take a stipend. Our organization does not take a processing fee. We use host country tour agencies to plan our logistics. We sleep in host community owned accommodations and eat at local restaurants. We take careful consideration to ensure that the money you spend on this experience is used in a way that honors our host country and our mission of helping others.  

This program feature would not be possible without our amazing in-country tour agencies like Easy Track Ghana. Their flexibility, their socially conscience approach to tourism, and their connection to a wealth of Ghanaian NGOs and community leaders is a huge part of what makes Operation Wisdom's Global Expeditions a unique program. 

5. A Program, Not a Trip

Global Expeditions is not just a two week trip. It is a two year program. The program begins nearly a year before departure. A group of students is selected for the program, and they begin to meet together each month. This is meant to form a bond among travelers and an understanding about the mission. After the trip, students are expected to assume a leadership role as they work with other students to organize and implement service-learning projects and to connect their community resources with those in need across the world. Our two year commitment not only separates us from other youth travel programs, it helps ensure that the host communities actually benefit from your experience, something that not many youth travel programs can claim. 

6. Learning-Service

Most programs perpetuate a model of service-learning that is more beneficial for the travelers than for the actual people they are supposed to be serving. Short term trips that focus primarily on service can have minimal effects at best and harmful effects on the communities at worst. Often times, students show up, do work they are under qualified for, take job opportunities away from community members, and then leave. This is an outdated and ineffective service-learning model that does not teach young people how to serve the global community effectively. Global Expeditions, on the other hand, arrives in host country with a singular mission: to learn. It is only with this knowledge that we might serve well.

7. Results

A small sample size, but after three trips the data suggests that Operation Wisdom's Global Expeditions trips have a powerful impact on students. 100% of students reported being "more confident in taking a leadership role to solve a difficult problem," being "more comfortable in any environment," and being "interested in learning a new language." Over three-fourths of students reported being more "interested in learning about new cultures," being more interested in "a career that would allow them to solve global issues," and being more confident in their ability to "make a difference in the world." Students who go on our trips come back better equipped and more confident to function in the 21st century global community.

8. Dynamic Itinerary

Operation Wisdom works with a handful of stakeholders - students, Global Partners, local tour agencies - to create an itinerary that is uniquely molded to our mission and student interests. Unlike most youth travel programs, no two trips will ever be the same. Additionally, the close working relationship between our instructors, our students, and our tour guides makes it not only possible, but highly likely, that the itinerary will change in an instant for the sake of education. This type of flexibility allows for more authentic learning to take place. 

9. Health & Safety

Safety influences every aspect of our Global Expeditions trip. Below are just a few examples of our safety considerations as we plan each trip. 

• At least one GE Instructor (who will be with participants 100% of the time) will be CPR and First Aid certified.
• All GE Instructors are trained to handle the specific health concerns of each participant as well as handle specific emergency situations.
• GE maintains an average student to staff ratio under 4 to 1 throughout the duration of the trip! No other youth travel program can match this!
• Students and families are trained on how to travel safe and stay healthy abroad.

10. Resume Builder

If you are looking for an experience to separate yourself from the millions of other ambitious youth, Operation Wisdom's Global Expeditions trip offers a unique platform. While many students around the country can list 4.0 GPAs and club presidency on their resume, there are not many who are able to say that they collaborated with a Ghanaian non-profit to reduce malaria in an at-rick community. Or that they worked with West African students to develop a science unit for their Environmental Science class. With GE, the opportunities for one-of-a-kind learning and leadership opportunities are endless. Ultimately, what your resume reads will be determined by your enthusiasm, initiative, creativity, and leadership.