Export Hope is managed entirely by volunteers—100%.
Export Hope’s Ambassador Program provides funded travel opportunities for students who wish to volunteer abroad.
Students decide where to go and what to do, anywhere in the world!
The program funds summer, volunteer-abroad travel for deserving college students (age 18 or over at the time of application). The program is for students who otherwise would not be able to go. Trip duration is typically 4 weeks. Student awards are based on application review, recommendations, and availability of funds.
Explore volunteer abroad options through our Travel Partners here.
IMPACT: We are just getting started…
Summer 2019 is the first time we sent Ambassadors abroad. COVID 19 limited our 2020 Ambassador class to one traveler and his travel was delayed for a full year, he completed his trip during the summer of 2021! The volunteer hours shown define hours spent and activities in which our Ambassadors participated first at home, and then while volunteering abroad. We update these numbers after each summer program is completed.
OUR AMBASSADOR ALUMNI
Student ambassadors are the focal point of our mission. Through these young adult students, our values are represented around the globe! They serve others and improve our planet while at the same time broadening their own horizons.
Alyssa Altamirano-Putnam
Founding Ambassador
Alyssa taught English and participated in Community Development projects in Ecuador in June and July of 2019 traveling with our partner, Projects Abroad.
Julius Patterson
Founding Ambassador
Julius participated in child education and health projects in Thailand during July 2019 traveling with our partner, Cross-Cultural Solutions.
Ashlee Owings
Founding Ambassador
Ashlee participated in teaching English and Community Development projects in Costa Rica in July and August of 2019 traveling with our partner, GVI.
Jerzo Castellanos
2020 Alumus
Jerzo participated in Animal Conservation programs with a focus on Jaguar conservation in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. He completed his travel in July and August of 2021 (COVID-19 delayed) traveling with our partner, GVI.
AMBASSADOR TRAVEL STORIES
Jerzo Castellanos (2020) – Animal Conservation in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
It was during these times that I would look around at the bunk beds in disbelief, wondering how I, a boy from Santa Ana, ended up 2,846 miles from home among people from all over the world.
Ashlee Owings (2019) – Ocean Conservation in El Cocal, Costa Rica
All it took was four young women, four hefty trash bags and a willingness to leave the beach of El Cocal, Costa Rica better than we had found it.
Alyssa Altamirano-Putnam (2019) – Launching Pad Trip, Teaching and Restoration in San Cristobal, Ecuador
“It's so green!” was all I could think when I landed in the Galapagos. Three planes, months of planning, and 3,010 miles later and I all I could think was “It’s so green.”
Jay Patterson (2019) – New Experiences in the Nan Province of Thailand
I had a lot of good experiences in the Nan Province of Thailand, especially teaching kids for four weeks.
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