EXPLOre
Bright Light Volunteers and Bethel University create opportunities for educators and students to experience the world as travelers, not tourists. All of our programs are designed to provide transformative, culturally immersive, experiences abroad. Our alumni return home with stories of pickup baseball games in Cuba, learning to salsa in Colombia, and hugging llamas in Peru! Our programs in Latin America, South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa include exemplary itineraries, experiential learning opportunities, community-led service projects, and highly qualified program directors to accompany you on your GSLC experience.
Serve
Bright Light Volunteers and Bethel University create opportunities to serve by working side by side with our local partners on community-led, service projects. Community service allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the host country and culture. Bright Light Volunteers can expect to serve between 10-80 hours, depending on the length and location of the program. Tennessee high school students may use these hours to satisfy their requirements for the Tennessee Scholars Program.
Learn
Bright Light Volunteers and Bethel University create opportunities to learn through online course work, cultural immersion, and reflection. Prior to departure, students enroll in a six week, online course, Global Service Learning and Citizenship (GSLC), through Bethel University. Via the online course, students gain exposure to the history and culture of the host country, preparing them well for the experience of cultural immersion and exchange. Upon arrival in the host country, students explore historic and natural landmarks, tour museums, enjoy local cuisine, enroll in dance lessons, visit markets, and participate in cooking lessons, with the local people. These are just a few examples of the immersive learning experiences enjoyed by Bright Light Volunteers.
Lead
Bright Light Volunteers and Bethel University create opportunities to lead by providing life-altering experiences that cultivate a global perspective and open-mindedness in students that will ultimately inspire them to become global leaders and critical thinkers who create solutions to global social problems. Here, at Bright Light Volunteers, we believe that the most effective global leaders begin as global citizens.
