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The trip was amazing and beyond anything I expected. Thank you for this incredible experience! It has exposed me to different styles of life, culture and beliefs that I would not have seen for myself if not for you all. It's made me appreciate things so much more, inspired me to become a better person, and it has given me a deeper understanding of the conditions outside of the U.S… Anyway, I just want to say that you guys are AWESOME for setting up such a program. I miss Guatemala already!

Dawn
Barnard College
Class of 2009

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Thank you for an incredible, life-changing opportunity. Seeing the day to day lives and conditions that these people live in has opened my eyes, inspired my goals and has made me truly grateful for the life that I live.

Scott
University of Oregon

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There are no words to describe how much I appreciated this trip. I would never have experienced 90% of this on my own. Prior to this trip I did not understand what words like ‘developing’ and ‘poverty’ truly meant. While I still have a lot to learn, I truly believe that this eight-day experience has changed me for the better.

Leanna
Hampshire College
Class of 2012

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I came into this trip with no expectations and I came out of it with a new perspective, improved language skills, and a second family.

Anna
Cornell University

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I am so grateful that I had the chance go to Guatemala through Encountour. And to think I almost backed out of the trip. If I knew of what an experience I would be missing, I would never have forgiven myself. This trip has been a concoction of perfect circumstances. I traveled with an amazing group of people and was given a loving homestay family. Through this trip I have gained new friends and a new family. It is with the sincerest intention when I say I will never forget them and will definitely be going back to visit my second family.

Irene
Barnard College

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The project was amazing. I have never felt so accomplished in my whole life. Getting to work alongside the family while building the house was something I never thought I´d get to do. I wouldn´t trade it for the world.

Megan
Temple University

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I am delighted to write on behalf of Encountour. I led an extremely successful trip to El Tizate, Guatemala with 23 students in March of 2009….

I had run six service learning trips to Latin America before working with Encountour. Each had been with established and local organizations and yet the Encountour trip was the smoothest experience of them all….

Previous experience with trip providers had been uneven. Organizers have their own agendas that did not always mesh well with my own and they have not always known how to collaborate. Encountour helped us put together a trip that fully met our service learning requirements as well our Jewish religious and cultural observance needs! As a Jewish group, we had particular requests regarding food and Sabbath observance and Encountour worked with the local community not only to accommodate our needs but to engage with the community to share and celebrate our traditions. I appreciate the opportunity that Encountour provides to let me create as much or as little of the program as I want.

Encountour has created relationships on the ground that enables it to connect groups with a country and its citizens. It is able to provide meaningful work experience and community interaction. It is capable of professionally handling unexpected situations and responding to crises. There has not been a moment when I felt unattended to in either the planning process or on the trip itself.

Perhaps the strongest testimonial I can offer is the fact that I am planning a trip for this Spring with Encountour!”

Rabbi Lina Zerbarini
Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale