Staff Photos & Bios
Bali: Island Health Expedition 21-Day Sessions
Program Staff
International Director - Magdalena Michalczuk
Magdalena (Mag) is an outdoor and experiential educator, global citizen, traveler dive master and avid ocean lover and a farmer. She has an array of international experience in tourism and education. She currently lives in rural Costa Rica, started with a partner in educational permaculture farm and supporting turtle conservation. Originally from Poland, moved to the Netherlands to complete a bachelor in Tourism Management. She lived and worked in Malaysia, then became a nomad and worked all over Asia, in United Arab Emirates, Europe and Costa Rica on programs which included service, conservation and leadership and sustainable development. Wilderness first responder and lifeguard certified, has been working with GLA since 2021 during spring break and summer programs in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Dominican Republic. Her mission is to raise environmental awareness amongst young people and inspire them to be the change we need to preserve the beauty of our planet!
Mentor - Dyy Asyikeen
Dyy, a modern-day adventurer whose heart belongs to the ocean and the great outdoors. With the spirit of an Olive Ridley Turtle guiding their journey, they navigate life's currents with grace and determination. As a passionate scuba diver, they plunge into the depths of the sea, discovering hidden treasures beneath the waves. On the surface, they embrace the thrill of riding waves or find tranquility paddling into the sunset on a stand-up paddleboard. Underneath the starlit sky, they find peace and inspiration, nurturing their soul through the wonders of stargazing. As an outdoor educator based in Singapore, they share their expertise and love for nature, leading expeditions across Southeast Asia and igniting the spark of exploration in others.
Mentor - Kristin Pelaud
Kristin is French-American, born and raised in Chicago. She is a certified Early Childhood Educator with 10+ years of experience with youngsters ranging from birth to high school. She taught 2nd grade and P.E during four years in China and Middle/Highschool English in France for two years. She now lives in India with her husband, where she continues giving one-on-one English classes online and teaches Zumba. She practices yoga occasionally and has always been interested in holistic ways of self care and preservation. In the fall, she will follow a Montessori training program. She has picked up the hobby of bodyboarding recently and is looking forward to learning about marine life with the GLA students in Bali this summer.
GLA Staffing - Roles
GLA staff are native to the host country and international, usually from the US, Canada or Europe. All staff are highly qualified adults with college degrees. Most of our staff are educators and/or working professionals with higher degrees of education. All of our staff have extensive experience working with teenage students, international programs and/or a specific knowledge of the program country.
GLA staff consists of a local program director, someone from the host country with extensive experience working with international students and also an international program director, someone from the west with extensive global experience working with this age group, who together bridge any cultural differences. Mentors work with the students on a day to day basis. Staff ages usually range between 25 – 35 years old. In addition, we maintain a student to staff ratio of 6:1.
Local Director
Local Program Directors are responsible for co-managing the overall experience alongside International Program Directors. First and foremost, they protect the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The Local Program Director is also responsible for planning excursions, speakers, and community service projects
International Director
International Program Directors are responsible for co-managing the overall experience alongside Local Program Directors. Along with the Local Director, the International Program Director protects the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The International Program Director is also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by developing curriculum, facilitating the implementation of GLA’s service-learning workshops through group-wide discussions
Mentor
Mentors are also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by working as part of a team to implement GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum; leading daily discussion, reflection or journaling sessions with small student groups; and helping Directors plan additional workshops and activities to engage students in their “free” time.
Program Administrator
Country Administrators are responsible for managing the overall experience of multiple programs in a certain country. Along with the Local Director, and International Program Directors, the Administrator protects the health and safety of students at all times, reinforcing standards of safety and community culture. The Country Administrator is also responsible for structuring a dynamic learning environment by developing curriculum, facilitating the implementation of GLA’s service-learning workshops through group-wide discussions.
In-Country Coordinator
Our In-Country Program Coordinators are people with close ties to the local community. Their connections are what allow our groups to be welcomed as friends into a community, and their knowledge of the challenges facing local people allow our work to be a meaningful and valued contribution.
Program Manager
Our Program Managers support the International and Local teams over the course of summer programming. The Program Managers have extensive training in risk management, cross cultural communication, student and group dynamics, mental health protocols, staff management and GLA policies and procedures. Program Managers posses an in-depth knowledge of each program site, partner, service activities, and excursion. The Program Managers communicate weekly with each team in the field and provide ongoing support during the summer to ensure safe and successful programs.