Hello Global Glimpsers!
I am thrilled to introduce myself as one of your co-leaders for our Global Glimpse trip to Costa Rica from July 12th – July 25th. I am so excited to meet all of you and embark on this incredible adventure together! While this is my first time traveling with Global Glimpse, I am an avid traveler who loves exploring different cultures and customs. Prior to our trip to Costa Rica, I will be returning from Curaçao, and a few days after we return, I will be heading to Sint Maarten. Although I have been to Costa Rica before, specifically to Guanacaste, I am excited to re-explore this beautiful country while in Turrialba. I am a Latina born and raised in New York City/Rhode Island and I am proud to embrace my Dominican ethnicity. Professionally, I am a high school counselor and a clinical mental health therapist. I have also worked as a child protective specialist, preventive social worker, and clinician to unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the US. I specialize in trauma recovery and stress-related disorders in children and adults, allowing my students and clients to work on personal growth and helping them learn to cope with fear and anxiety related to lack of confidence and self-esteem. I have great respect and extensive experience working with individuals from various cultural backgrounds and aim to provide culturally sensitive services that empower those who may feel marginalized or misunderstood.
I wish to utilize my compassion and empathy to better understand and connect with you all and those we will meet during our trip. Personally, I am very down-to-earth and enjoy simple things like sharing heartfelt stories over hot chocolate in front of a fire. I am also a huge animal lover. I have three fur babies: a Shiba Inu named Kenji and two cats named Mase and Mylo. During my free time, other than traveling I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, exploring new restaurants, reading, and saving homeless kitties. My dream is to one day own a big farm so that I can provide fostering services to more animals in need.
During our trip, I wish to be the kind of leader you can turn to, depend on, and trust—the kind of leader who helps you to embrace new parts of yourself and challenges you to be a better person. I also wish to be the kind of leader who learns from each and every one of you. Respect is huge for me and the same way I expect it, I provide it. I am kind and caring but also honest and straightforward. Two things that are important to me are consideration and having open and honest communication with each other.
Lastly, I want to thank all of the parents for allowing their children to experience this journey! At my school, I call my students “my kids,” and this trip will be no different. I will definitely be the Momma Hen of the group, making sure everyone is safe, healthy, and comfortable. This experience will be incredibly humbling, and there will be difficult moments, but I believe that if we consistently support one another, we will make it through with some amazing memories and lasting relationships, so let’s make it count! 🙂
See you all soon!
-Gennesys Peralta
