Professional Testimonials
Below are testimonials from professionals across the country and Caribbean that we work with on a continual basis. We are thankful that these wonderful individuals share our passion. Don't just take it from us, read what they have to say below!
Jan Lin
LinkedIn Sales Professional & Give Back(packing) Evangelist
-San Francisco, CA
There is nothing worse than going through four years of college thinking you wanted to do “Fill in Major” with your life and realize when you graduate and enter the real world that that “Fill in Major” is nothing like you thought it’d be. Give Back(packing) empowers you to identify your passions and gives you real life experience to prepare you for your future--- while having a ton of fun doing it.
Give Back(packing) is not only about finding who you want to be as a professional, but as a person. Grow on a journey by opening your eyes and learning through actually doing something and making an impact on yourself and community around you.
Sean Hunter
Hunter Productions (freelance photographer/videographer)
-Washington, D.C.
"Givebackpacking combines two of my favorite things, traveling and meeting new people. By combining the safety net of college with the realness of the real world - givebackbacking should be the 'must do' activity for every college student. The real world has such a heavy permanence to it, while givebackpacking allows students the ability to try on hats of 'what if' professions and locations of a wide variety. Get out from behind your books, get your hands dirty, see new sights, find out what inspires you. The only thing you have to lose is the not doing. "
Audrey Penn
Program Manager, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park
-St. John, USVI
I would recommend any student interested in giving back to the environment and their community to participate in the Give Back(packing) program. The one-on-one experience each student gets working with local non profits and learning about the areas that the group visits is an integral component of the overall growth of the participants understanding. The hands on experience is one of a kind and the variety of locations the students get to visit helps to put volunteering in a different light because every location and the groups involved are working to achieve a different but equally important goal. Eli has worked hard to create the program and foster the relationships he has with the people and groups in the places he has chosen to visit. Every student should Give Back (packing) a chance!!
Marc Garofalo
Regional Director
Terry College of Business
University of Georgia
Give Back(packing) Advisor
-Athens, GA
I have had the pleasure to work with Eli and the participants of his program. The Give Back(packing) program has the potential to be one of the most significant self-discovery experiences of your college years. I am confident that this program will not only prepare you for life after college, but it will differentiate you from other candidates when competing for that all important first job. As an alternative to a traditional internship or study-abroad program, Give Back(packing) will give you the reigns and allow you to tailor the experience to your specific interests and passions. You will gain exposure to a variety of locations, businesses, communities, and non-profits. This program will challenge you to discover your own personal brand and empower you to realize your full potential as an individual.
Tony Lucca
Restaurant owner, 1905 Restaurant
-Washington, D.C.
Ariele Krantznow
Wix.com Training and Support
Manager
-New York
From my time spent with two of the Give Back(packing) students, it was quite clear that those participating in this program are a highly motivated, hard working group. Success and happiness, however defined, are only achieved by those who are willing to put in the time and effort to pursue their passions. In a sea of peers whose sense of entitlement is suffocating, this select group of young adults have chosen a path that will prove more challenging, yet also more rewarding and fulfilling over their lifetimes. Give Back(packing) has provided them with a unique platform to harness their motivation and drive, and put it towards a future full of opportunity and satisfaction.
Every time I meet a college student they ask for advice. The advice I always give them is to go travel. Give Back(packing) is a wonderful combination of brining American students out into the world, while giving them real life skills. Being able to teach these students about the importance of an online presence, especially having a website, was a great experience for me. Give Back(packing) attracts amazing students who are extremely passionate about seeing the world and learning to grow as professionals.
Scott Sparks
Strategist, 3601Digital Ad Agency
-New York
Give Back(packing) gave me a great opportunity to mentor multiple undergrad students & recent graduates. Not only did I get to "give back" myself in the form of mentorship, but also got to share my day-to-day work life & work place - somethings I'm very passionate about & thankful for. At a surprisingly small time commitment, the pay off was large! I very look forward to working with future Give Back(packing) students again this upcoming spring.
Ryan Armistead
Co-founder of Happy Moose Juice
-San Francisco
Give Back(packing) is an extremely relevant concept and program for young adults that are transitioning from education to the professional world. A classroom and college campus can be very limiting in the amount of "real life" experience that someone can receive. You can study and read about places and professions, but there is nothing like "doing". Give Back(Packing) introduces travelers to amazing places where they can learn through doing. The professional networks that can be attained through Give Back(packing) could open endless doors of opportunities for those who Give Back(pack).
#travelwithpurpose