Program alumni share the friendships, lessons, and lifelong impact of the Global Student Exchange.
A decade ago, a group of students from around the world gathered in Prague to try out something new. The idea for our first CAS Trips Global Student Exchange was simple yet bold: to bring young people from different countries together to explore a historically and culturally rich destination, while also encouraging them to collaborate, reflect, and learn from one another. That first Global Student Exchange, Prague Spring, became the seed of a program that has since grown to include the Lisbon Adventure and Peru Discovery.
Over the years, thousands of students have joined these journeys, discovering new cultures, forging lifelong friendships, and learning what it truly means to be global citizens. In this piece, we hear from several alumni whose experiences at Prague Spring continue to shape the way they see the world today.
Prague Spring — Where It All Began
The Prague Spring GSE marked the beginning of this journey. For students, it was a chance to experience Europe’s crossroads of history and culture while collaborating with peers from other schools and countries.
The program was designed to ask questions rather than provide easy answers. What does it mean to be a global citizen? How can students use their own skills and creativity to respond to challenges that affect us all?
For many participants, this was the first time they had the chance to step into a room filled with peers from across the world, united by curiosity and openness.
“When I think back to the Prague Spring exchange, what stands out most is cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness and later delivering them to a shelter. It was such a simple act, yet deeply meaningful — it reminded me how small efforts can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Meeting and working with students from other countries was equally transformative. Talking with people from different backgrounds helped me open my perspective, learn new ways of seeing things, and form friendships I still maintain today.” — Sofía A.
“My most treasured memories are sharing so many activities with classmates who became friends throughout the trip, and meeting students from across Latin America and Africa. It opened my eyes to how similar we all are when you stay open-minded.
That exchange to Prague planted the idea of studying in Europe. Years later, I spent a year on exchange in Germany — the seed from that trip finally bloomed. The fear goes away once you’re there; it’s an opportunity to discover another world and make memories that last.” — José A.
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
A decade later, the most potent evidence of GSE’s impact comes from the students themselves. Some speak about how the exchange shaped their studies or even influenced their career choices; others recall moments of laughter and connection.
The common thread is this: GSE experiences don’t end when the trip does. They live on in the way students think about culture, collaboration, and their own role in creating a positive impact.
Eliza’s experience in Prague followed her home to Ecuador:
“When I returned to my country, I felt disheartened. It was hard to see that these types of community-based initiatives were almost nonexistent. However, that changed when I discovered Huertomanías, a social enterprise that provides work opportunities to people with severe mental disorders. That meaningful event I once saw in Prague was sitting there in front of me, different but just as valuable in my context. Both experiences have become essential to the kind of impact I want to create with my career.” — Eliza Y.
For María Fernanda, who joined the Prague exchange in 2019, the lessons still resonate:
“When I think about the Prague exchange, I can’t help but feel a mixture of tenderness, pride, and nostalgia. It was much more than a trip; it was a before and an after in my life. I recall vividly how, as a teenager, I felt a strong desire to change the world. And though time has passed and I have grown, that spark is still alive within me. Meeting and working with students from different countries was transformative. I felt, more than ever, a citizen of the world.” — María F.
Growth of CAS Trips Global Student Exchanges Beyond Prague
The story of the GSE didn’t stop in Prague. Building on the success of that first program, CAS Trips expanded the model to new settings:
- Lisbon Adventure — A chance for students to explore creativity and innovation in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, while holding space for collaboration and intercultural dialogue. Students collaborate with charities, NGOs, and community organizations to gain a deeper understanding of the real issues affecting local communities.
- Peru Discovery — A program rooted in the cultural and environmental heritage of the Andes, where students learn alongside the Quechua community in a model of exchange that is as much about listening as it is about sharing.
Each program looks a little different on the surface, but they share the same DNA: collaboration across cultures, reflection that deepens learning, and the courage to approach the world with open eyes and open minds.
The Global Impact
In the ten years since that first gathering, thousands of students from dozens of schools and countries have taken part in GSEs. That’s hundreds of perspectives exchanged, friendships formed, and seeds planted for future changemakers.
The collective impact is not measured in numbers alone but by the stories of students who carry their GSE lessons into university, careers, and community life. For some, it sparked an interest in international relations. For others, it was the moment they realized the value of working with, not just for, communities.
Sara’s reflection captures that lasting excitement:
“This exchange really changed the way I see many things. I understood that, with small actions, we can positively impact the lives of those who need it most. It’s been over six years since the trip to Prague, and I still talk about this experience with the same excitement I had when I came back. I can truly say it’s one of my favorite stories to tell, and I can’t wait for the day I get to visit again the city that left such a mark on my life.” — Sara A.
Sarah is not alone. Many of our alumni shared how the impact of the CAS Exchange often unfolds long after the trip ends:
“One of the most meaningful experiences for me was working with other students to sell magazines to raise money for people experiencing homelessness. At the time, I saw it more as something fun and kind-hearted, but today, through the eyes of a clinical psychology student, I understand the real impact of such a simple action. It’s not just about giving someone financial help; it’s about giving back their autonomy and a dignified way to reintegrate into society.” — Eliza Y.
Looking With Excitement to the Future
Ten years of CAS Trips Global Student Exchanges have shown us what happens when young people are given the space to collaborate across cultures: they rise to the occasion, again and again.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look to the next chapter. GSEs will continue to evolve, but the heart of the program will remain the same — empowering students to see the world not as a collection of separate nations, but as a shared space where their voices and actions matter.
The Prague Spring of 2015 was just the beginning. The question now is: what will the next decade of GSEs bring?
