Why Choose World Horizons?

World Horizons has a proven track record of safe, fun, and enlightening trips. You'll have small group sizes, and a schedule that fosters true cross-cultural connections. High school students will have the ability to accomplish a service project and observe the fruits of their labor first hand.

Our leaders are experienced and trained, so they command the respect and earn the trust of volunteers. Two leaders supervise each group of 8-12 teenagers - a size large enough for diversity, but small enough to live, work and bond together. Travelers spend enough time in one location to really understand the local culture, and to see the benefits of their work. With World Horizons, you're not a tourist, but an integral part of the community. We work with local contacts to set up our projects so that the service work we do for the community is meeting their needs and wants.

Ellen Drzymala of St. Louis had been on service trips before, but chose World Horizons' trip to Fiji. "This sounded like a larger amount of time with the people - not just seeing the surface. I wanted to be immersed in the culture. I got to develop a connection. It meant so much more that we were helping people that we knew."

We work hard to avoid 'busy work' on our service trips, and are pioneering unique and inventive ways to serve communities through the arts, athletics, and work with animals. Working on a World Horizons project rewards you immediately, with new friendships within your group and within the local community. And you'll gain rewards that can never be taken away: an expanded sense of the world, and of yourself. World Horizons trips challenge each one of us to search ourselves deeply and to find the part of us that can't wait to help others without expecting anything in return!

One student described his experience: "I matured from this trip and I learned about myself. Even though my trip lasted one month, I will cherish my experience as long as I live."

"I really enjoyed the time we spent with the children in Puerto Rico. The times at the YMCA camps and the orphanage were awesome and unforgettable!this trip helped me define the person I am and I learned to appreciate the things that I have and realize how lucky I am."

Myrna Delgado, California
-- Puerto Rico