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.
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…
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Custom Student Trips
Custom designed cultural immersion trips for schools and homeschool groups.
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Family & Adult Adventures
Open registration trips designed for adults and families.
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Worldwide Travels
Authentic cultural connections in Tanzania, Peru, Ecuador, Nepal and Spain.
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Global Youth Adventures
A Tribal Gap Year program in 4 countries for ages 18-22.
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Supported Independence
Detailed personal support balanced with independence and freedom.
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Unforgettable Connections
A life-long connection to the GOGI global family.
Meet the Team
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Liz Jackson
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Liz Jackson's journey into global education began in 1994 during a transformative year in Spain, where she met her neighbor Gogi. Gogi's empathy and guidance helped Liz navigate the culture and language, leaving a lasting impression that inspired Liz's life's work. This experience led Liz to pursue a master's in education, teach Spanish, and design immersive trips for her students, eventually founding GOGI Abroad, a travel organization rooted in authenticity and meaningful connection.
Since then, Liz has partnered with communities worldwide to lead transformative journeys that deepen understanding and foster compassionate leadership. She is especially passionate about cultivating compassionate leadership and fostering respectful cultural exchange. As a mother of two adventurous sons, Liz took her family on a year-long journey around the world, a formative chapter she considers the most meaningful part of their shared education.
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Jared Staber
FINANCE & CONTRACTS COORDINATOR
Jared Staber brings both heart and precision to his role as GOGI Abroad’s Finance & Contracts Coordinator. With a degree in Mathematics and Theatre, Jared combines analytical skill with creativity—ensuring that the logistics behind our programs run smoothly and that families and schools experience clear, supportive communication throughout the booking process.
A true jack-of-all-trades, Jared thrives on meaningful projects—from building homes to starting gardens, always eager to lend a hand and be of service. He has a deep love for travel and connection, shaped by his time living in Australia, exploring Spain as a teenager, and walking the Camino de Santiago with GOGI.
Jared is passionate about sharing stories, building community, and finding ways we can all better care for the Earth. His warm, can-do energy is essential to us, the GOGI.
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Jamal Barbari
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS
Jamal is an international education professional with over a decade of experience designing and leading programs. Born in the Bronx and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, he has lived, worked, and taught in South Korea, Jordan, and Costa Rica. At GOGI Abroad, Jamal develops experiential learning journeys that connect with global communities.
His background in creative writing and visual storytelling shapes his curriculum design, making learning both intellectually engaging and personally transformative. Whether guiding students through Fez, Amman, or Central American rainforests, Jamal ensures they gain broader perspectives and deeper purpose.
In his free time, Jamal enjoys writing, cooking, and digital media. He is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural exchange and global citizenship.
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Julia Odell
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Julia grew up in rural Vermont and graduated from the University of Vermont with a Business Degree that was concentrated in Marketing with a minor in Spanish.
She backpacked through South East Asia for three months and led trips for high school students abroad to Fiji and Patagonia. During these trips she experienced different cultures, explored diverse environments, and resurfaced her love for humanity.
She currently works at the Red Cross where she manages the email team and influencer strategy. Her team brings in 90% of the nation's blood donation appointments! Julia is passionate about making a positive impact through her work and personal endeavors.
Julia joined GOGI as a part-time Marketing Coordinator to help promote and showcase all of the upcoming trips.
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Whistle
SCIENCE EDUCATOR & CURRICULUM DESIGNER
Whistle is one of the most passionate and creative science educators we know. Her infectious curiosity about the natural world, breathes life into ecosystems, whether she’s highlighting intriguing insect behavior on a forest hike or sharing obscure facts about trees and biodiversity.
Whistle is drawn to the small and often overlooked parts of the wild and she has a gift for sparking that same fascination in others. Her deep knowledge of entomology and ecology, combined with her playful spirit and love of the outdoors, makes every learning moment hands-on, fun, and unforgettable.
Whistle weaves environmental science, cultural connection, and experiential education into custom programs that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth. When she’s not teaching, you can find her guiding students, always ready with a whistle, a story, and a sense of wonder.
Meet Our Trip Leaders
Our Partner Organisations
GOGI Abroad in the News
