Click the buttons under each trip for the application and enrollment links per program. When applying, be sure to check “pay by check” to bypass the application fee (this is on Summer Search!)

Required enrollment paperwork includes:

• Health history

• Results from a physical exam

• Immunization report

• Student profile

• Copy of your passport

If you do not have a current US passport, you may enroll in an international program. We strongly encourage you to start the passport application/ renewal process no later than January 15, 2025.

You must attend the virtual student and parent orientation hosted by Summer Search Boston in May. Click here to register or visit our events page for more information.

Make sure to attend your Goodbye Group to receive your equipment and travel itinerary, and to meet the other Summer Searchers who will be traveling with the same program!

Global Works students have the opportunity to stay in a variety of living accommodations. Some are dorm-style lodges or youth hostels that sleep 4-10 students per room, and others are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by 2-4 students. Everyone will have their own bed, space, and access to a private bathroom. Students will be required to share in the cooking responsibilities at some locations.

This is an open enrollment program, which means non-Summer Searchers will be able to join your group and you’ll meet folks from diverse backgrounds. There may be a couple of other Summer Searchers attending the same program, but most people will probably not know each other!

You will not be able to use your phones or any electronic device that connects to the internet once you arrive in-country with program leaders. However, limited communication with family/friends back home is available. Within the first five nights, you can call home to let your family know that you have arrived safely and how you are settling in. There will also be optional opportunities for you to call home once a week throughout the trip.

Parents and Guardians are always able and welcome to call the program if necessary — leaders always have working cell phones and service. Global Works will also be updating their trip travel blogs every 1-2 days.

In case of emergency, please use our 24/7 hotline - Summer on Call. Learn more about this service here.

We recommend bringing $100 for personal spending. You may want to do laundry or buy snacks and souvenirs along the way! You should also bring something small ($5-20) for your host family.

Engage in education projects with school children, zip line through the rainforest canopy, and gain community service hours (45-55 hours) while enjoying the high adventure opportunities of Costa Rica. You will gain practical field experience, help implement public health campaigns, and receive certificates in Wilderness First Aid and Mental Health First Aid.

Available Sessions:

• June 23 - July 9, 2025

• July 14 - July 30, 2025

You will need to travel by plane to Costa Rica. A NY REAL ID and a valid passport are required to travel internationally. Students will travel by private bus while in-country.

While our sophomores are chaperoned at every point of their journeys, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the airport. Program staff typically meet students at the airport and travel with you to your in-country destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the U.S.

Click here to view the Global Works x Summer Search packing list. A guide to the equipment we provide can be found on our FAQs + Resources page, along with other helpful links and info — check it out!

Departure Information: 

Session 1 (7/23-7/9): Arrive at Terminal 5 of JFK Airport by 6:45am on June 23rd – meet at JetBlue Check-in Desk; JFK to SJO (San Jose), JetBlue #1793, 9:40am-1:00pm 

Session 2 (7/14-7/30): Arrive at Terminal 5 of JFK Airport by 6:45am on July 14th – meet at JetBlue Check-in Desk; JFK to SJO (San Jose), JetBlue #1793, 9:40am-1:00pm 

Students may bring 1 carry-on and 1 personal item for free. Students should be prepared to pay $80 for a checked bag. Once students deplane, they will be routed through Customs & Immigration. Once completed, they will collect their bags at the carousel and make their way to the Meet & Greet area just outside the airport – there is a door leading from baggage claim to the Meet & Greet area. Global Works leaders (wearing branded, Global Works t-shirts) will be waiting for them to exit. They will take either a car or small minivan, driven by a Global Works staff member or a trusted chauffer, to a restaurant, then to the hotel. Students will be staying at Villas Aracari in Alajuela, located 3km from the airport. Global Works will provide supervision and snacks, and students will be able to take showers and relax. Other students will arrive later in the afternoon. 

Return Information: 

Session 1 (7/23-7/9): July 9th, 2:05pm-9:10pm; SJO (San Jose) to JFK, JetBlue #1794 

Session 2 (7/14-7/30): July 30th, 2:05pm-9:10pm; SJO (San Jose) to JFK, JetBlue #1794 

Global Works staff will escort students to the airport in San Jose. Students should be prepared to pay $80 for a checked bag. Once they have arrived at JFK, moved through Customs & Immigration, and collected their bags, they will be able to go home on their own or they may be picked up from the airport. 

From Madrid to the Duratón River Canyon to Granada, this trip will show you the heart of Spain. You will learn traditional skills, dances and techniques, hike, stargaze, canoe, attend workshops, enjoy beach time, and even enjoy a beekeeping lesson. Round out the experience by working on multiple community service projects, including a beach cleanup.

Available Sessions:

• June 28 - July 14, 2025

You will need to travel by plane to Spain. A NY REAL ID and U.S. passport are required to fly internationally. Baggage fees are included for this program ONLY. Students will travel by private bus, high-speed rail, canoe/kayak, and bicycle while in-country.

While you may have been chaperoned as a sophomore, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the drop-off location. Program staff typically meet students at the station and travel with you to your final destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the pick-up location.

Pick-up/Drop-off Location: John F Kennedy Airport (JFK), Terminal 8

Arrival Time – Start of Trip: 4:00pm on June 28th - meet at American Airlines Check-in Desk before going through security ~WEAR YOUR SUMMER SEARCH SHIRT~

Pick-Up Time - End of Trip: Approximately 10:00pm on July 14th. Parents/Guardians are REQUIRED to pick up their children in person - the meeting spot is the Terminal 4 Arrivals Hall. If students need to travel home from JFK on their own, Global Works staff must be informed by parents/guardians in writing ahead of time.

Flight Information:

Departure: JFK to MAD (Madrid), American Airlines #94, 7:05pm-8:15am (+1 day)

Return: 

July 14th, 1:00pm-3:50pm, MAD (Madrid) to CLT (Charlotte, NC), American Airlines #749 

LAYOVER 

July 14th, 8:04pm-9:59pm, CLT (Charlotte, NC) to JFK, American Airlines #1727

Click here to view the Global Works x Summer Search packing list. A guide to the equipment we provide can be found on our FAQs + Resources page, along with other helpful links and info — check it out!

Departure Information: 

Arrive at Terminal 8 of JFK Airport by 4:00pm on June 28th – meet at American Airlines Check-in Desk; JFK to MAD (Madrid), American Airlines #94, 7:05pm-8:15am (+1 day) 

Students may bring 1 carry-on and 1 personal item for free. Students should be prepared to pay $40 for a checked bag. Global Works leaders (wearing branded, Global Works t-shirts) will meet them at the American Airlines Check-in Desk and travel with them. Once students deplane, they will be routed through Customs & Immigration and collect their bags from the baggage carousel. From there, they will take a bus (about 20-30min) to their first hotel, where they will have time to check in and have a snack. Then, they will go out to a restaurant for lunch and to a park for orientation. 

Return Information: 

July 14th, 1:00pm-3:50pm, MAD (Madrid) to CLT (Charlotte, NC), American Airlines #749 

LAYOVER 

July 14th, 8:04pm-9:59pm, CLT (Charlotte, NC) to JFK, American Airlines #1727 

Students should be prepared to pay $40 for a checked bag. Global Works leaders will escort students to JFK Airport. Parents/Guardians are REQUIRED to pick students up from the Terminal 4 Arrivals Hall of JFK airport, unless you have notified Global Works of alternative travel plans ahead of time, IN WRITING. 

Home reconstruction and fortification service work are the heart of this program, with projects designed for and with local families. Learn about sustainable forestry and rainforest enrichment, explore Puerto Rico’s most historic cities, and sea kayak in a bioluminescent bay. Relax on the beach and learn local customs while earning 30-35 community service hours by helping communities improve their infrastructure and restore their natural environments.

Available Sessions:

• June 15 - June 22, 2025

• June 25 - July 2, 2025

• July 7 - July 14, 2025

• July 30 - August 6, 2025

You will need to travel by plane to Puerto Rico. A NY REAL ID is required to fly. Students will travel by private bus while in-country.

While our sophomores are chaperoned at every point of their journeys, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the airport. Program staff typically meet students at the airport and travel with you to your in-country destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the U.S.

Click here to view the Global Works x Summer Search packing list. A guide to the equipment we provide can be found on our FAQs + Resources page, along with other helpful links and info — check it out!

Departure Information: 

Session 2 (6/25-7/2): Arrive at Terminal 5 of JFK Airport by 5:30am on June 25th – meet at JetBlue Check-in Desk; JFK to SJU (San Juan), JetBlue #1603, 8:20am-12:20pm 

Session 3 (7/7-7/14): Arrive at Terminal 5 of JFK Airport by 5:30am on June 25th – meet at JetBlue Check-in Desk; JFK to SJU (San Juan), JetBlue #1603, 8:20am-12:20pm 

Session 4 (7/30-8/6): Arrive at Terminal 5 of JFK Airport by 5:30am on June 25th – meet at JetBlue Check-in Desk; JFK to SJU (San Juan), JetBlue #1603, 8:20am-12:20pm 

Students may bring 1 carry-on and 1 personal item for free. Students should be prepared to pay $75 for a checked bag. Global Works staff will meet students at baggage claim in San Juan – they will provide sandwiches and drinks. Everyone will then take a shuttle for approximately 1hr to Global Works’ selected site. 

Return Information: 

Session 2 (6/25-7/2): July 2nd, 6:00am-9:59am, SJU (San Juan) to JFK, JetBlue #2904 

Session 3 (7/7-7/14): July 14th, 6:00am-9:59am, SJU (San Juan) to JFK, JetBlue #2904 

Session 4 (7/30-8/6): August 6th, 6:00am-9:59am, SJU (San Juan) to JFK, JetBlue #2904 

Global Works staff will escort students to the airport in San Juan. Students should be prepared to pay $75 for a checked bag. Once they arrive at JFK and collect their bags, they will be able to go home on their own or they may be picked up from the airport.