Liz and Gogi Arroyo who inspired our cultural programs, mission, and name!

About Us

GOGI trips expose travelers to the language, culture, and people of a new community, expanding students’ ideas about how to live and how to be a global citizen.


liz

Our Story

GOGI Abroad is a small, dynamic organization with seasoned, enthusiastic leaders who work closely with families to ensure a safe, inspiring experience. We come to know each student personally in a true relationship that lasts beyond the trip itself and into life.

Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, GOGI Abroad was founded by Liz Jackson, a passionate educator who has been teaching adolescents and leading international trips for over 10 years. Liz holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University and brings fifteen years of experience as an educator of both Spanish and Waldorf curriculum. She is a seasoned trip leader and an avid traveler with over 20 student trips logged in just the last five years and recently completed a ten-month trip around the world with her family.

Her passion for travel and experiential learning is rooted in her own transformative experiences studying abroad as a teenager. She loves witnessing her students’ growing awareness of the world as they travel together, and she brings both the compassion of a mother and the clarity and knowledge of an educator.

Our Mission

We believe in the transformative power of experiential learning. Traveling to places that challenge one’s outlook is a crucial step in a person’s spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth. GOGI trips expose travelers to the language, culture, and people of a new community, expanding students’ ideas about how to live and how to be a global citizen. Unexpected detours are part of the magic of traveling, as they are what prompt us to grow on a deeper level. We request that students strive for empathy, understanding, and kindness. These are hallmarks of GOGI Abroad programs. 

Our Vision

We strive to help the next generation learn for themselves what it is to be a traveler, not a tourist. We aim to develop empowered, empathetic students of the world, curious about what they can learn from others and about themselves. We believe the detours and bumps we encounter on the road spark the richest inward growth and we ask that students meet these challenges with flexibility and patience for the experience and for themselves. We provide students the opportunity to handle small challenges and frustrations in a safe and compassionate environment so that they may develop the confidence and resources to navigate future roadblocks on their own. We believe the lessons learned and challenges overcome while on the road will serve our students wherever they decide to call home.

GOGI Abroad Offers…

  • Custom Student Trips

    Custom designed cultural immersion trips for schools and homeschool groups.

  • Family & Adult Adventures

    Open registration trips designed for adults and families.

  • Worldwide Travels

    Authentic cultural connections in Tanzania, Peru, Ecuador, Nepal and Spain..

  • Global Youth Adventures

    A Tribal Gap Year program in 4 countries for ages 18-22.

  • Supported Independence

    Detailed personal support balanced with independence and freedom.

  • Unforgettable Connections

    A life-long connection to the GOGI global family.

Our Upcoming Trips

Meet the Team

Meet Our Trip Leaders

Our Partner Organisations

GOGI Abroad in the News

  • “One of my favorite memories was the sheer giddiness we three peregrinos shared after a long day—despite a minor mishap and being pelted by rain, snow, and wind. It was a beautiful reminder that perfect conditions aren't required for joy, accomplishment, or camaraderie. The Camino gave us that gift.”

    GOGI Camino Participant, 2025

  • “My heart is full, my mind is clear and open as the Camino provided for me walking my journey, my husband along with me sharing in this amazing experience. I awake each morning thinking about what to pack in my bag, excited to walk and wander with my mind clear to take in the sights, sounds and smells and the amazing people I will meet from all over the world. Grateful for this life-changing experience that I will apply to my day-to-day life journey.”

    GOGI Camino Participant, 2025

  • “This was a challenging goal mile-wise for me and I felt so proud of my body for making it! When I think of the trip, I think of walking, of a meditative walk through green tunnels of trees. When I think of the trip, I think of breakfasts and dinners together with the group, with the group getting closer throughout the journey. I also loved meeting and talking with people along the way, people from all over the world.”

    GOGI Camino Participant, 2025

  • “Our trip through Tanzania and Kenya with GOGI Abroad was the trip of a lifetime. Our family loves to travel and have fun, but we also want our travels to be about learning—immersing ourselves in the local culture and opening our minds to new things! This trip with GOGI was as authentic, immersive, and eye-opening as it gets! We visited a Masai boma, where we were welcomed with smiles and open arms. From the Masai people, we learned about the joy that comes from having community. We also visited a local school, where our 3 kids spent the afternoon learning in the classroom with the students and making new friends. We were reminded of the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones, meeting new (and wonderful) people, and giving back to communities in need! We are so grateful for this experience and will carry every moment in our memories forever! Thank you, GOGI!”

    Caroll, 2023

  • “I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this trip was for me. I signed up because Machu Picchu was on my bucket list but little did I know that that would be my least favorite part of the trip. Experiencing the Sacred Valley, the people and culture of Peru, and my trip mates (especially my unexpected best roomie ever!!!) turned out to be the highlights. This journey was transformative in ways I never imagined.”

    GOGI Participant

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