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Unique travel experience integrates students of mixed hearing abilities for the learning adventure of a lifetime

Hear the World, a global initiative by hearing system manufacturer Phonak, combines forces with Global Explorers, a not-for-profit educational travel organization, to offer the first-ever Hear the World Expedition. The expedition will integrate students of mixed hearing abilities to raise awareness about hearing as a fundamental part of life that many take for granted.

Hearing loss affects one in every six people worldwide - the equivalent of the number of people who own a car. However, few realize the important role that hearing and sound play in day to day life. The acoustical environment of the Peruvian Amazon is a complex symphony exploding with life - where one's ability to listen is increasingly magnified. For that reason, it is the perfect setting to educate students about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss. Students with and without hearing loss will form an unlikely team that will work together and learn from one another while shattering expectations and learning to use adversity to their advantage.

The expedition team will be accompanied by Bill Barkeley, a world-class mountain climber and one of the 15,000 people in the United States with Type 2 Usher's Syndrome - the leading cause of deaf-blindness in the world. Bill's 2007 summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shattered expectations and confirmed his role as an advocate and inspiration for the hearing loss community.

"With the assistance of a Phonak hearing device, I was able to successfully accomplish what many deemed impossible," said Bill. "I am thrilled to be a part of this partnership between Global Explorers and Hear the World, and accompany these inspirational young people as a mentor on this incredible journey."

About Hear the World Expeditions

Hear the World Expeditions create a unique platform where groups of students explore science, culture, leadership and service while at the same time raising awareness about the importance of hearing. More than a simple trip, the Hear the World Expedition to the Amazon will include a pre-expedition training in the Spring of 2010, a two week international field workshop throughout the Peruvian Amazon (Iquitos, Peru) from July 8-17, 2010, as well as follow-up service projects and a large-scale public outreach campaign for students from around the world.

Expedition applications are currently being accepted through January 15, 2010. Applicants must be between the ages of 17-22 on July 8, 2010, enrolled as a full-time student either the semester before or after travel and experience hearing loss or have an expressed interest in hearing awareness and education. Fundraising assistance is available for those who qualify.

To learn more, nominate a student or apply, visit: http://www.globalexplorers.org/programs/destinations/hear_the_world_expeditions/.

SOURCE Phonak

Interest in studying, volunteering and teaching abroad soared in 2008 as Americans looked overseas for solutions to economic troubles at home.

GoAbroad.com, the flagship Internet search directory for experiential travel, reports a 35 percent jump in site traffic from last year, with most of the increase coming from people searching for educational, volunteer, or teaching opportunities abroad. In the first 3 months of 2009, 3.3 million people searched GoAbroad.com, compared to 2.4 million during that time span in 2008. About 80 percent of the site's users are North Americans.

User traffic to GoAbroad.com's educational directories saw a 34.5 percent jump and its Volunteer Abroad directory saw a 39.8 percent leap. "During tough economic times, people often look to meaningful travel as a solution," said Troy Peden of St. Johns, FL, who co-founded GoAbroad.com in 1999 with Jason Coppage of Denver, CO.

"Internships abroad are attractive to graduating students who want to strengthen their resumes. Study abroad is often a less expensive alternative to private tuition in the U.S.," Peden noted that volunteer roles are appealing to those looking for a career change, an opportunity to refocus their priorities, or both. "We are seeing tremendous interest from older people and career veterans who want to volunteer overseas."

Interest in teaching positions abroad also spiked. GoAbroad.com experienced a 31.8 jump in users browsing the Teach Abroad and TEFL Certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) directories. "College graduates can find lucrative teaching jobs abroad," Peden says. "Teaching abroad is a smart alternative for people who want to work and travel. There is a constant demand for English teachers worldwide.

"Volunteering, interning, and studying abroad make graduates more appealing to international companies and employers who want real-world experience," Peden said. "It gives job seekers a big advantage in a competitive job market."

The premier Internet search directory for experiential travel, GoAbroad.com has 10 sub-directories that cover the range of meaningful opportunities abroad. Its free resources include a Scholarships Directory, Embassies & Consulates Directory, and more. Its partner site, the GoAbroad Network (www.GoAbroad.net), is an online social network for experiential travelers. It hosts travel blogs and albums, forums, Facebook applications, and other functions.

GOABROAD.COM SITE VISITOR COMPARISON : 1st Quarter 2008/ 1st Quarter 2009

                              EDUCATION    VOLUNTEER      TEACH        TOTAL

    Jan 2009                   341,277      150,781     155,663       647,721
    Feb 2009                   308,192      135,173     143,501       586,866
    March 2009                 329,844      151,844     154,904       636,592

    Jan 2008                   252,031      109,038     123,088       484,157
    Feb 2008                   233,367       97,623     108,520       439,510
    March 2008                 242,948      106,545     112,989       462,482

    Jan Visitor Increase        89,246       41,743      32,575       163,564
    Jan % Increase                35.4         38.3        26.5          33.8
    Feb Visitor Increase        74,825       37,550      34,981       147,356
    Feb % Increase                32.1         38.5        32.2          33.5
    March Visitor Increase      86,896       45,299      41,915       174,110
    March % Increase              35.8         42.5        37.1          37.6

    1st Qtr 09 Total           979,313      437,798     454,068     1,871,179
    1st Qtr 08 Total           728,346      313,206     344,597     1,386,149
    08-09 Visitor Increase     250,967      124,592     109,471       485,030
    08-09 % Increase              34.5         39.8        31.8          35.0


    Glossary:
    EDUCATION = Study Abroad, Degree Abroad, Intern Abroad, Language Schools,
                High School Programs
    VOLUNTEER = Volunteer Abroad
    TEACH = Teach Abroad, TEFL Certification

    Source: GoAbroad.com / Urchin Analytics

SOURCE GoAbroad.com