Responsible Travel

Big-eyed children filed into the bustling courtyard of a makeshift dental clinic in the thin air of Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, a state high in the Himalayas of India.  The needy children had gathered to take advantage of free dental care through an innovative tourism and humanitarian program organized by Global Humanitarian Expeditions (GHE) in Denver, Colorado.

Kim Troggio, Founder of Global Humanitarian Expeditions, raced around the clinic like a tornado of organizing power, registering a child one minute, consoling another the next.  Kim has been traveling to the Indian Himalaya for years now and happily reports “We are seeing real progress over the years with the children that have been coming to us.”

Mountain top monastery and prayer flags over Leh, Ladakh.

Over the next week, hundreds of Ladakhi youth filed through the clinic for check-ups, fillings, extractions and lessons on hygiene and dental care.  The volunteers worked diligently while in the clinics and enjoyed exploring the magical land of Ladakh during their days off.  It seems like a program where everyone wins.

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What does it take to find a job overseas before you leave home?

To be honest, it’s not easy to get started on an international career. It takes a lot of time to find relevant positions that you’re qualified for and even more time to get an initial job offer. However, if you’re determined to live overseas and have some helpful skills, it is very possible because there are a lot of jobs out there. [Read more →]

Let’s move overseas! When we talk to people, almost everyone says they dream of living abroad, imagining a vacation that lasts all year. There are certainly very pleasant aspects to a life abroad – enjoying more vacation time, being constantly stimulated by the world around you, learning how to live in a new culture, meeting fascinating people from all over the planet, exploring new lands, pretending that you really do like to eat fiery hot chilies meal after meal – the list goes on and on.

The other side of living abroad is much less romantic –
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HOW to Be a RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER & ADVOCATE

Get ready for an experience of a lifetime! Following ethics of responsible travel does require some personal initiative, but the positive impact you have, the feeling you will experience and the unexpected surprises you will encounter as a result may just change your life, a little or a lot! [Read more →]

• Understand the traditions, culture and key words of the language in each region we visit and share this information with IMA travelers prior to and during the trip.

• Participate and encourage participation in community-based initiatives including empowerment of women, youth and marginalized peoples.
• Get involved with communities interested in developing a tourism product, and educate, encourage and support the local tour operator in this development.
• Follow regional and country specific guidelines of cultural do’s and don’ts and provide this information to IMA travelers.
• Create authentic experiences for cross-cultural exchange and understanding for tourists and local people.