"Professor Arntson's team building exercises and classes about group dynamics were invaluable. They gave our team the same vocabulary and tools to mediate conflicts and make decisions while abroad and helped us understand each other's motivations."
- Catherine Wu
"I will always treasure my home-stay experience. I became very close with my siblings and loved having a large family. I learned that wherever you are, a family is a family and life is lived day to day."
- Ellen Abrams
"My home-stay was one of the best aspects of my summer. I could not wait to get home after work. My sisters taught me so much about Ugandan culture as well as life in general. We have grown up on different sides of the world but we may as well as lived next door."
- Chelsea Christman
"I learned how compassionate people can be who have just met you and the wonderful hospitality and family culture that exists in India."
- Asha Toulmin
"Our NGO let us work independently, but took co-ownership of our project, which was comforting as we were creating a proposal for them and we required input and feedback to know that our work had a purpose."
- Elizabeth Montgomery
"Being at our NGO was the single best part of the trip. I loved the community, and I loved the people there. It is an amazing NGO that does amazing things. The challenges we faced taught us to overcome obstacles."
- Alex Grubman
"The FSD site team was incredible. I've never worked with such capable, caring, fun people. They made me feel so at home and safe and also really supported us with our NGO."
- Asha Toulmin
"The FSD site team was fantastic. They helped us with everything we needed from managing tough NGO relationships to making sure our project plans were really attempting to achieve sustainable development."
- Claire Olszewski
"I could not have imagined a better set of teammates. They were all extremely committed and brought all they knew to the table."
- Chelsea Christman
"I am very impressed by the commitment and intelligence of the fellow students in GESI. I definitely learned much from them."
- XinKai Cheng
"The diversity of our group made us effective -- while others preferred to work on logistical, behind-the-scenes stuff; some were outspoken, others were more contemplative; some were better planners, some were better at actuating ideas on paper."
- Abby Hannifan
"To succeed in this program you have to be willing to set aside your expectations. This applies both to the outcomes of your project, as well as the expectations of what daily life will consist of."
- Elizabeth Montgomery
"This program gave new meaning to hands on learning. The background at the institute on development was great, and a week later you were on site attempting to implement what you had learned, and in the process learning far more than you could imagine."
- Rachel Suffrin
"It is unique that GESI students do not have a predetermined project before arriving in country. Although this can lead to certain challenges, I was grateful for this approach."
- Ellen Abrams
"The most unique thing was the amount of exposure we got to the community. I felt like I was a part of it and not just observing it."
- Bryan Stenson
"This experience was absolutely applicable to my personal, professional, academic goals, especially when it comes to approaching development with a realistic perception of how it works on the ground."
- Elizabeth Montgomery
"The experience has given me a new perspective on everything from washing the dishes to how to address world hunger... I will be returning to the lessons I learned on this trip decades from now."
- Alexis Suskin-Sperry
"GESI has helped me mature as a team member and a prospective development worker."
- C.A.

Locations

Udaipur, India

Near the southern border of India’s Northwest desert province of Rajasthan, Udaipur grows around the shores of Lake Pichola. Renown for its incredible physical beauty, diversity, and spirituality, Rajasthan is one of the most unique places on earth. Yet while the tech sector makes news as India’s macro-economy assumes a larger presence on the world stage, the majority of the population remains mired in poverty, with almost 80% of India’s citizens living on less than $2 a day.

GESI 2009 participant Elizabeth Montgomery describes Udaipur this way:

“Udaipur is gloriously colorful and bustling in so many respects. The view from building tops is crowded streets with people, autos, and motorcycles swerving past each other in a fast pace. However, as quick pace as the view appears to be, time is taken in a different sense and people are laid back and often late, according to the word’s western definition. Cows, pigs, and wild dogs are as abundant as people and they often approach you in search for chapatti or other lunchtime remains. People are friendly and open to discussions, and are always interested to hear about the culture, politics, and going-ons in America. I am excited to return one day, and see how the city has embraced new change along with its traditional character, as it has done throughout its history.”

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Bolivia is home to the Andes Mountains, Amazonian rainforests, Lake Titicaca, as well as striking cities and a high percentage of indigenous peoples. Despite its economic potential, Bolivia is the poorest country in South America due to corruption and the exploitation of resources by foreign investors. With 64 percent of the population below the poverty line, the people of Bolivia struggle to plan for the future, afford adequate health care, receive an education, and confront social/environmental issues. GESI works in the city of Cochabamba, the third largest city in Bolivia in a valley 8,300 feet above sea level. Its vibrant grassroots political community and strong indigenous culture give GESI participants in Cochabamba a unique and dynamic environment in which to live and work.

Jinja, Uganda

At the very source of the Nile river, Jinja, Uganda is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The area is a popular destination for travelers due to its physical beauty and exceptional river rafting. Jinja city is also second only to the Ugandan capital of Kampala in terms of commercial flow. Despite challenges ranging from poverty to climate change to HIV/AIDs, its citizens are optimistic and welcoming. GESI participants will work with Ugandan-led organizations focusing on a host of health and poverty issues.

Tola, Nicaragua

Tola is located in the southwestern state of Rivas along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. This small city (pop. 19,894) is the municipal seat of a rural area extending over 477 square kilometers. More than 60 communities of subsistence farmers, salt miners, and fishermen populate the area. The residents of Tola and the surrounding district experience poor infrastructure, low socioeconomic status and few opportunities to improve their situation. GESI is working with FSD to pioneer expansion in this area in order to catalyze the as-yet untapped sustainable development opportunities there. Tola is an exciting location for more advanced participants who desire to learn baseline community and organizational development by implementing innovative approaches, key practices, and pilot programs.