TESTIMONIALS

School Faculty and Leaders

In my 25 years of teaching at Groton, our World Leadership School Peru trip has been the best experience that I have had with a group of students.
-- Fred Beams, Dean of Students, Groton School

This has been the single most valuable experience in my teaching career so far.
-- Brett Mayer-Aschhoff, Faculty, Landon School

I feel like I haven’t laughed as much or as hard as I did on this trip in a long time. I was so proud of [our students] and what they brought to this trip.
-- Trina Flynn, Faculty, The Ensworth School

I arrived feeling like what I was doing was unimportant; I left feeling like my decision to be an educator had the capacity to make the difference for me, my family, my students, and the world.
-- Craig Gemmell, Science Faculty and Associate Director of College Counseling, Groton School

Three words describe my experience with the World Leadership School: efficiency, flexibility and care. After realizing how this program can transform a young person’s life, I was inspired to offer it to my students.
--Carmen Clay, Rainbolt Family Service-Learning Chair, Casady School

Parents

Thank you again for an absolutely enchanting and physically demanding 3 weeks. We have no doubt that these boys grew in extraordinary ways and developed bonds that will carry forward a lifetime. It is clear that Charles brought home far more than he took to Peru. You have put together a "top drawer" staff and program and you lived up to all of our unreasonable expectations for your program. We hope that you and Landon School have inaugurated a summer experience that will serve Landon boys for years to come.
-- Robert Gage, Landon father

I think that [my daughter] got a view of a part of the world that’s completely foreign to her. She saw how other people live, work, go to school, worship and play. It was a ‘real’ life experience as she was there not so much as a tourist, but as a participant. I think that it gave her the opportunity to feel useful and appreciated and to work hard at something for someone else.
-- Donna Harmon, Casady mother

I appreciated all the information that we received while the kids were in Peru. I felt confident that you and your staff were taking good care of them…. My daughter had a great experience. She had a real sense of accomplishment when the playground was finished. It was a wonderful opportunity to be in a situation that was very different from life at home. She truly appreciated the people of the village and how welcoming they were to the group.
-- Julie Hall, Casady mother

Students

I came to realize things about myself and my near future that I never thought I’d realize. I am so thankful for this. In many ways this trip has controlled where I am heading in life. Words can’t describe the experience I had. It was the best, most memorable several-week experience of my life
-- Student, Groton School

This trip was definitely inspiring; it made me aware of the world’s problems. It has also showed me that even in one week just a bunch of teenagers can make a difference.
-- Student, Groton School

I think that WLS should know that all of the instructors were amazing and should definitely be encouraged to come back. These instructors were the most fun and responsible instructors I’ve ever had.
-- Student, Groton School

The trip has been just about paradise for me so far…. I can’t even explain how cool it feels to be out here living this simple but satisfying life that the rural Peruvians live, where lack of material wealth exposes the substance of their sustainable, simple, beautiful, and seemingly incorruptible happiness: strong personal relationships.
-- Student, Landon School

The trip made me understand the education problems that third-world countries face. It has inspired me to educate others…
-- Student, Landon School

My host family was so awesome; I’m gonna miss them so much. Everyday I would count down to 1 o’clock when I could get off work to go eat lunch with them and hang out with them for the rest of the day…. This trip inspired me to be more considerate, selfless, and respectful.
-- Student, Landon School

I absolutely loved my family and the community. Our family was the sweetest, kindest, funniest family alive. They treated all three of us girls who stayed with them like their own daughters. Everybody in the community was nice and welcoming to all of us. Leaving Chilca and my family was the worst part of the trip. Our host mom gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and made me and the other girls the god-parents. I loved every moment of it.
-- Student, The Ensworth School

This trip has made me so thankful for everything I have at home and inspired me to help others. I really do feel like it has changed me.
-- Student, The Ensworth School

I don’t think words could explain how much this trip has changed me and my attitude…. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have so much more than I did before this trip and also I’ve become less selfish. This trip is a life-changing experience….
-- Student, The Ensworth School

This trip taught me how to give instead of take.
-- Student, The Ensworth School

This trip completely changed my appreciation of what I have back home. I loved every minute of it!
-- Student, Casady School

This trip opened my eyes to a world beyond my own community. I learned to experience new things, immerse myself in a completely different culture, and open up to others. I grew up a lot on this trip and realized how much I can take for granted. I also realized how unnecessary the little things at home are. I grew into myself and was comfortable to be who I am.
-- Student, Casady School

This trip showed me just how much other kids love learning and how much they desire to learn. That has led me to become hungry to help them.
-- Student, Casady School

I think the best part was seeing the children’s faces, when the playground was going up.
-- Student, Casady School