Zimberg and Alonso will venture into new environments through Global Works

By Duke Saunders
Staff Writer

As the temperature rises in the South Bay and the school year is approaching its last few months, many Costa students are organizing their extravagant plans for the summer vacation. As many choose to stay near the beach for July, junior Amanda Zimberg and sophomore Nick Alonso will utilize their time out of the classroom to explore the world.

Through the resources available in the college and career center, Zimberg and Alonso took advantage of Global Works Service Trips, a high school abroad program. These service adventures are available to all high school students throughout the United States and put a unique spin on the vacation tours that numerous students embark on during the year.

“I think that it is imperative that our students utilize the tools available to them here in the CCC to make the most out the time they have off during the summer months,” college and career counselor Judy Park. “Throughout my years as a college counselor I have found that many students gain unparalleled experiences through this program.”

This summer Zimberg will be traveling to Thailand with Global Works in order to teach English to young school children while immersing herself into the Thai society.She will be staying with a host family in the city of Trat along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand.

“I decided on Thailand as my destination because I have never traveled to Southeast Asia and it sounded like an incredible opportunity to help those in need and discover a new culture at the same time,” Zimberg said. “After going on one school trip to Italy during my sophomore year as well as having traveled to Eastern Europe my junior year, it will be an eye-opening acculturation process for me.”

While Zimberg makes her way to Eastern Asia in the beginning of July, Alonso will be making the journey to South Africa order to help the impoverished children learn English. He will be staying with a host family in Johannesburg, but will also be building and repairing dilapidated primary schools surrounding the capital.

“I chose to spend close to 4 weeks of my summer in South Africa because I want to leave a positive footprint on the world,” Alonso said. “In addition to all of the humanitarian work I will be doing I also look forward to going on an African safari and especially the great white shark cage diving excursion off of Cape Town.”

Zimberg and Alonso will be joining about 50 other students from all over the United States and hope to make life-long friends, experiences as well as have a greater appreciation for the many luxuries they take for granted on the daily.

“I most look forward to our hike through the rainforests while riding elephants as well as the innumerable amounts of knowledge and life experience I will gain by living with a host family,” Amanda said. “From all of the trips I’ve taken throughout my life they have solely been for pleasure and I know that upon my return to the states I will have a much greater perspective on the world outside of the South Bay.”