Emily Rangel
Emily Rangel grew up with nature and adventure always around the corner, creating a strong drive for exploration and learning about what the world has to offer. She has a passionate heart for social justice and youth empowerment, which roots from her values in equity and advancement. She started out as a student traveling in the Panama Change-makers Global Works Service trip, going on to later lead the 2022 Costa Rica trip with exceptional students! Emily believes in the great potential of the new generation of youth to be powerful leaders on all scales. Which is why she loves leading trips, surrounded by great leaders throughout her advocacy programs in High School. She not only aspires to be just as great as a mentor as they were but hopes to motivate and inspire others as she was. Loves to learn new things and discover new hobbies! On her free time however, you’d definitely find her hiking with her dog or listening to music and dancing along with the tunes!
Where did you grow up?
Portland, Oregon
Where do you call home now?
Portland, Oregon
Year started at Global Works?
My Global Works journey started in 2019, when I attended a trip as a student!
What’s your favorite part about leading trips?
Conversations about culture, reflections, stories, and seeing growth
What’s something you can’t live without while you are traveling?
Camera- for the memories! Capturing moments allows me to truly relive the time those pictures were taken.
Tell us about a favorite memory from a trip you have taken
During the Panama trip I took in 2019, I spent the first week with my host family and got to experience delicious food throughout the day, meaningful conversations during the evenings, and one night we had a talent show with the neighbors – I just remember laughing so hard it that I had to genuinely stop and gasp for air. Not only that, but it was the place I learned I could hit a baseball pretty far.
Where is your favorite place you have traveled to?
Panama! It’s beautiful and so green, every afternoon like clockwork it would start pouring down rain after we finished our service work and I loved every second of it, the rain felt like a reward every time.
Fun fact, special talent, or favorite memory
I play the violin!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read autobiographies and learn dance choreography
What languages do you speak?
English, Spanish, and I’m learning Korean!
If you had to give one piece of advice or words of encouragement to someone on their first travel experience, what would it be?
Embrace every moment on your trip, get to know the culture by asking as many questions! I highly recommend bringing a journal to write your day to day activities and thoughts. It’s nice to look back at in the future!