Getaway Growth

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Getaway Growth

Getaway Growth makes international travel possible for underserved youth

As our world becomes increasingly interconnected and we experience an era of unprecedented world challenges, it is imperative for our youth to be aware of how they are interrelated with people in other parts of the world. At Getaway Growth, we believe enriching opportunities such as transformative travel and experiential learning prepare students to develop the nuance and understanding needed for

real-world interactions and become global leaders of tomorrow. Too often underrepresented communities face insurmountable obstacles in participating in these enriching experiences. It is our mission to remove barriers and facilitate access to international travel for underserved youth in the United States by developing and providing fully-funded programs for our student cohort, helping expand their mindset of possibilities and see the many opportunities and paths available to them.

08/18/2026

📢 Student Update!

Over the last two months, our students have been participating in professional development workshops focused on resume development and LinkedIn optimization.

They’ve been working on strengthening their resumes, building their professional profiles, and learning how to better showcase their experiences, skills, and goals.

We’re excited to see them continue building their confidence and preparing for future academic and career opportunities. Up next: **Digital Portfolio Development!** 💻✨

FutureReady

06/18/2026

My name is Otema Beryl, and I am a final-year Economics student at Kenyatta University. I believe that the most powerful ideas are born in spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

My leadership journey, serving as Vice Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Economics Students Association (KUESA) and previously as a Congressperson in the Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA), has been guided by one question: How do we turn potential into impact?

Through these experiences, I have learned that meaningful leadership is not just about representing others, but about creating opportunities for people to grow, contribute, and thrive.

My work with youth-centered initiatives such as Speak It Out and The Consent_KE has reinforced my belief that change does not begin with grand gestures, but with honest conversations, shared experiences, and the courage to challenge silence. I am passionate about building communities where young people are not simply participants, but active shapers of their own futures.

Driven by a deep curiosity about the world, I see travel as more than crossing borders. For me, it is an opportunity to understand people, perspectives, and possibilities beyond my own experiences. I also recognize that growth is never a solitary journey. Mentorship has played, and continues to play, a vital role in shaping my path, and I am intentional about both learning from others and creating space for others to learn.

Joining Getaway Growth represents more than an opportunity—it is a continuation of my commitment to growth, connection, and purpose. I look forward to engaging with diverse perspectives, being both a mentee and a collaborator, and contributing to a world where impact is measured not only by outcomes, but by the lives we empower along the way.

06/16/2026

As part of their Getaway Growth journey, students are also paired with mentors whose experiences, backgrounds, and career pathways align with their interests and aspirations. These connections provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and real-world insights as students prepare for their global learning journey.

06/08/2026

A strong personal brand can open doors long before a résumé is reviewed.

Getaway Growth students will also participate in a pre-trip workshop focused on Digital Portfolio Development, Self-Branding, and Personal Marketing. Students will learn how to effectively showcase their experiences, skills, achievements, and unique stories in ways that help them stand out in academic, professional, and leadership opportunities.

From building a compelling online presence to communicating their value with confidence, participants will gain practical tools to help them take ownership of their personal and professional journeys.

05/21/2026

‘My name is Jocelyn. I grew up in East Palo Alto and go to school in Atherton. Experiencing both places shaped how I see the world. Even though the cities are close to each other, people have very different opportunities. Seeing this difference helped me understand unfairness and made me more aware of the challenges some communities face including my community.

My background and my involvement in community service also shaped how I see the world. I have helped organize donation drives and volunteered in my community. And through these experiences, I learned that helping others is not about feeling for them, but about listening, respecting them, and working together. Everyone has a voice, and real change happens when people are heard.

In school, I enjoy learning through collaboration and discussion. I like classes that allow me to think, ask questions, and connect ideas to real life. I enjoy working with others, sharing perspectives, and learning from people who have different experiences than I do.

Joining Getaway Growth is important to me because I want to build my confidence, learn new skills, and connect with people who are motivated and driven. Getaway Growth would help me improve skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership. I want to use these skills to better support group projects and service activities I take part in. I believe it is important to listen to others and learn as you go.

I would also like to share my experience with friends, classmates, and people I love. I want to show them that learning about other cultures and new places can be exciting and valuable, even if it feels unfamiliar at first. In addition, I want to share my experience with future students and encourage others who may not see opportunities like this as possible for them.

Long term, I hope to stay involved in helping my community. The lessons from Getaway Growth would help guide how I work with others and take on responsibility. I want to continue learning and growing while finding ways to give back.

This experience would not end after the program. It would continue to influence how I think and how I try to make a positive difference.’

05/19/2026

As part of our pre-trip professional development series, students will also participate in a LinkedIn Profile Building & Optimization workshop designed to help them strengthen their digital presence, build professional confidence, and prepare for future opportunities.

05/14/2026

Meet Vallentavally!

‘My name is Vallentavally Kerubo Bitengo, a second year student at the University of Nairobi pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology, and Geography.

My long-term goals include building my career as I aspire to become a clinical psychologist. I’m also focused on personal growth: learning to overcome my weaknesses, insecurities, and past traumas. These goals are helping me grow into a better, more healed version of myself, and they align with my purpose of helping others as a future psychologist.

I see the Getaway Growth journey as a lifelong catalyst, not just a two-week experience. I intend to integrate the program’s core values empathy, innovation, and cross-cultural understanding into my future practice. I envision creating community-based workshops in places like Naivasha, Kenya that combine psychosocial support with practical skill-building, empowering youth to reframe their challenges.

I also have a strong interest in culture and how it shapes identity, perspectives, and human interaction, and I enjoy meeting new people and broadening how I engage with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds and diverse opinions. Joining the Getaway Growth Program is important to me because it offers a meaningful space to develop intercultural competence through real experiences and shared learning, allowing me to step beyond my comfort zone and grow both personally and academically. I am most excited about engaging with different communities, exchanging perspectives, and becoming a more open-minded and globally aware individual.’

05/12/2026

Our students are preparing to step into the next phase of programming with a series of pre-trip virtual workshops designed to build confidence, professionalism, and career readiness. Resume writing and optimization is just the beginning as we equip students with the tools they need to stand out, grow, and succeed in future opportunities. 🚀

05/05/2026

Meet the Getaway Growth 2026–2027 Cohort!

My name is Andrea. I graduated from CSULA with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Over the years, I have spent time volunteering and interning in various locations, each with its own distinct purpose and core takeaways.

During high school, I participated in a CTE Child Development program, where I assisted instructors and worked with children at nearby elementary schools, providing aid in their education. Concurrently, I volunteered at my local library for several months. The volunteer work I did demonstrated to me the impact, progress, and connection that one individual can achieve in their community through service.

Down the line, I completed a 400-hour internship, fulfilling the requirements for my social work major, with the Bridge Academy Movement, a program that focuses on re-entry workforce paths through the arts for youth at the Boyle Heights Art Conservatory. The involvement in this program allowed me to see firsthand, through a different experience from my own, how multiple forms of inequity in systems affect young people.

As a person who intends to work in the social work field, one of the long-term methods I envision utilizing to pay forward the Getaway Growth experience I gain is to apply the skills and knowledge I have strengthened and learned to assist the work and clients in my service when applicable. For instance, cultural competence, noted as a benefit of the program, is a crucial component of social work practice, as practitioners assist individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Joining the Getaway Growth program will provide an opportunity to pursue that on a larger scale, developing my interpersonal and cultural competence skills through firsthand immersion. I am very appreciative of this opportunity and am most excited to make new connections and build upon my current cultural knowledge and awareness through this study abroad experience.

04/30/2026

Some impacts can’t be measured in numbers.

They’re written in words like these.

Through Getaway Growth, students don’t just travel—they gain confidence, perspective, and a sense of possibility that stays with them for life.

This is what access looks like. 🌍

Address

San Mateo, CA

Website

https://www.getawaygrowth.org/

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