Awesome individuals leading teens and building long-lasting friendships. I took a leap of faith and the girls are better for it! They embraced, educated, and embedded great experience!

My daughter had an amazing time in Paris with Going Global with Barbara and the 2026 Spring Cohort. She has been talking about the trip nonstop since she’s been home. She learned so much about French Art and culture and has even said that she can picture herself going to school there. I am forever grateful that she has had this opportunity!!

This was a great experience! My favorite place was the PSG Stadium. I also enjoyed meeting new people.Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to traveling again soon. -Jaylen M

My trip to Paris with Going Global With Barbara (GGWB) through the International Young Leaders Program was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to explore a new country, learn about a different culture, and grow personally. Before traveling to Paris, I had always wondered what the city was really like beyond what I had seen online and in movies. I wanted to experience the history, taste the food, learn how the Metro worked, and see how French culture compared to American culture. Going Global With Barbara gave me the opportunity to experience all of those things firsthand while traveling with a group of other young people. One of my favorite parts of the trip was experiencing Paris together as a group. After spending our days exploring the city and participating in different activities, we would sit down to eat and decompress. I loved hearing about everyone’s day and listening to their different perspectives on Paris. Some of my funniest memories were also taking pictures of everyone on my digital camera. Throughout the trip, people constantly asked me to take their pictures, and by the end of the week, they were jokingly threatening me to make sure I sent them their photos. Those small moments made the experience feel even more special because I was not only exploring Paris but also creating memories and connections with the people around me. Going Global With Barbara also exposed me to opportunities and conversations that made me think differently about my future. One of the experiences that stood out to me was the networking event at the U.S. Embassy. I had the opportunity to hear from student ambassadors about their experiences visiting America and compare their perspectives with my experience visiting France. Another meaningful moment was sitting in the park and listening to Anthony share his story about attending graduate school abroad and living in France. Hearing about his journey sparked my interest in possibly studying abroad in the future. This trip also challenged some of the assumptions I had before traveling. I had heard stereotypes that Parisians could be rude or that tourists were likely to be scammed, but my personal experience was different. Many of the people we interacted with were kind and accommodating, especially considering that we traveled in a large group and many of us did not speak French. Being in an environment where English was not the primary language also made me realize how important it is to learn another language. Most importantly, my experience with Going Global With Barbara taught me how much of the world I still have left to experience. I realized that I had been sheltered in America in many ways and that there were things I had taken for granted. Traveling internationally encouraged me to become more grateful, open-minded, and curious about cultures outside of my own. Paris made me want to travel more, learn another language, study abroad, and continue meeting people whose experiences are different from mine. I am extremely grateful to Going Global With Barbara and everyone who helped make this experience possible. This trip was about much more than visiting Paris and seeing famous landmarks. It gave me the opportunity to learn about another culture, build relationships, think about my future, and discover more about myself. I returned home with memories that I will always cherish and a stronger desire to continue exploring the world.

I had an amazing experience! I had the opportunity to meet new people, try new foods, learn more about French/Parisian culture and lifestyle, and visit famous attractions. Thank you so much for the opportunity! :)