Program Staff

International Director - Michelle Dabkowski

Having graduated with her degree in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University, Michelle was ready to set off to discover the world and all the species that inhabit it. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Michelle has since lived in several countries and participated in many environmental projects including studying bush fauna outside of Sydney, Australia, monitoring humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii and developing coral restoration in El Nido, Philippines. She currently lives in Madrid, Spain, where she works in an organization for education. Michelle can´t wait to share and explore Costa Rica with our GLA students this summer and looks forward to the exciting memories to come!

Local Director - Milena Gómez  

Milena was born in the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Limón. She studied English teaching at Universidad Latina of Costa Rica and has a degree in Accounting. She has been working as an English and science Teacher for 6 years. She is also a volunteer firefighter. She likes to dance, sing, cook and spend time with her family. She really has a passion for teaching and leading students into discovery and learning. This is her second summer with GLA and she is excited to share the culture of Costa Rica with students again. 

Mentor - Emma Bielski

Emma was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from the University of Denver in 2023 with a B.A. in international studies. Emma participated in multiple study abroad programs, including a semester in Jordan and a semester in the Caribbean. Since graduating, Emma has worked at a youth-serving nonprofit in Denver where she teaches economics and finance. Emma has traveled around around Europe, Central America, and the Middle East. She loves hiking, swimming, and learning about new cultures. Emma is excited to explore Costa Rica with GLA students this summer!

Mentor - Cristopher Alejandro Torrez Miranda

Hello! I am Cristopher Torrez, I am Nicaraguan. I grew up in a small town in the pacific coast of my country. I am an English/Spanish/ and social studies teacher at a bilingual school in Managua where I have the privilege to work with teenagers in developing their academic skills. I am the oldest of 3 siblings and the first to graduate from University. I have visited several countries in Central America, South and different cities in the USA. This is my second year working with GLA and I could not be more excited to be here with all of you!

Mentor - Digby Grace Kalert 

Digby is from Fort Collins, Colorado and grew up camping, hiking, and swimming in the Rocky Mountains. She attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and received a B.A. in Geography and Hispanic Literature, as well as an M.A. in Community Development and Planning. After graduating she worked as the Program Director for Global Leaders, a service-learning and leadership nonprofit in Fort Collins, CO. In early 2020, Digby moved to Spain to teach English as a foreign language. She caught the travel bug and spent the last year teaching high school English in Ulsan, South Korea.

Mentor - Andrea Martinez

Andrea Martinez, originally from Nashville, Tennesee, completed her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During her senior year, she began a transformative study abroad experience in England, followed by a summer around Europe. Afterwards, Andrea immersed herself in youth-focused program during her second study abroad program in South-Africa. Inspired by her time in Cape Town, Andrea continued her journey of global service by volunteering in community development initiatives in the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. In her leisure time, Andrea enjoys photography, skating around Nashville, and reading. Passionate about both travel and youth development, Andrea is excited about spending her summer mentoring GLA students in Costa Rica.

Mentor - Terrance Singleton Jr

TJ was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended the University of Central Florida (Go Knights) where he received a B.A. in Psychology. TJ then continued his educational pursuits gaining his M.A. in Education from The Ohio State University, followed by several years of work in various higher education institutions and public grade schools. Most recently, TJ ventured across the sea to Spain where he now works as a Language and Cultural Ambassador in Bilingual Education schools. He has traveled to several countries in Europe, Africa, and South America and is excited to share his time with the GLA students this summer.

Mentor - Mireia Tejero Arnal

Mireia was raised in Castellbisbal, a small town close to Barcelona. She studied Psychology in Autonomous University of Barcelona and after that she got a master's degree in General Sanitary Psychology. While she was studying, she worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. Then Mireia moved to Lanzarote (Canary Islands) and she worked there as an entertainer for kids and teenagers at a 5 star luxury hotel. Then she moved to The Netherlands to work in a social organization which helps people with intellectual disabilities to live a good life. While she was living abroad, she got another master's degree in Psychopedagogy. She has traveled around India, learning about yoga philosophy, and around different South American countries. Now she is excited to share Costa Rica with GLA students this summer.

Mentor - Melissa Kemp

Melissa is an Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management graduate from the UK, with a big LOVE for traveling. She currently works in Hospitality; however she has also worked with young children and teenagers within educational settings. She has traveled to 35 countries, this included voluntary projects in Fiji, summer camps in USA and backpacking trips through South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Latin America. Melissa is incredibly excited to share her passion for traveling and project work with GLA students this summer.

Mentor - Marco Campos Valadez

Marco is an engineer degree holder, who is currently studying Masters in Project Management and having the passion with Outdoors and Scout movement where he spent most of his life. Working on a variety of camps around the world which made him realized that the best kind of teaching and learning is outside a classroom. When he isn't at a camp, he loves spending his time in great outdoors like kayaking and traveling. He traveled around Europe, Middle East and Asia. He is excited to share a great adventure in Costa Rica with GLA students this summer.

Mentor - Laura Elena Ramallo - Session 1

Laura grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina in a family of 5 siblings. She received her degree in Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Buenos Aires. When she finished her studies, she started working in social inclusion projects in the Government of the City of Buenos Aires. At the age of 27 she went to travel and lived in Bahia, Brazil in an Ecovillage. After more than a year, she returned to Buenos Aires to experience communitary living and work as an environmental educator in NGOs (Germinar & Un Arbol) and as a high school teacher at the school of the National University of San Martin. Laura has a very deep connection to the rainforest and indigenous communities of South America. Laura currently lives in Berlin where she studies German and is training to become a therapist.