GradCity Gives Back

GradCity takes its commitment to social responsibility seriously. That’s why we give back to communities through our philanthropic efforts and sustainable travel initiatives.

These are just some of the programs with which we are involved. Read on to see how you can help make a difference too.

TUI Student Travel Sustainable Development Initiatives

StudentCity and GradCity are proud to be a part of the BeCause Campaign- TUI Student Travel’s nationwide effort to promote, encourage and educate their employees, vendors and customers about sustainable development practices. To further support this initiative, we’ve incorporated energy saving practices and recycling efforts into every one of our offices.

How can you help?

DIF Project in Cancun

Based out of Cancun, Mexico, DIF is a non-profit organization that runs a shelter for abused, abandoned and disabled children.

In March 2009, a team of volunteers from StudentCity, the cast of MTV’s Real World: Cancun, and Pat O’Brien’s (a popular restaurant and nightclub in Cancun) worked to raise money for a local DIF shelter. The team set up a Mardi Gras themed fundraiser and Pat O’Brien’s matched the total funds raised, which resulted in over $10,000 for DIF.

StudentCity and MTV’s The Real World cast members used the funds to shop for toys, books, and much-needed appliances for the shelter. On April 1, 2009, StudentCity and Pat O’Brien’s presented a check for $2,585 as well as items valued at over $7,000 to the children. MTV Real World Cancun episode 8 "Settling DIF-rences" captured the StudentCity staff and Real World roommates’ presentation of the gifts as well as their moving interaction with the DIF children. The team was moved to see the childrens’ excitement as they received their new items with overwhelming gratitude.

Check out scenes from that episode below:

If you’d like more information about DIF, please visit: http://dif.sip.gob.mx/en/

Go Green Program

In the fall of 2008, GradCity began the Go Green program, offering customers an option to receive electronic invoices in lieu of printed ones. When a customer chooses the Go Green program, GradCity offers a $10 discount per customer. And this year, nearly 30% of GradCity customers have chosen this option. Our goal is to eventually reach 100% customer participation.

To learn how you can Go Green, please email customercare@gradcity.com.

Puerto Vallarta Fundraiser

In Puerto Vallarta, GradCity raised $2000 through T-shirt sales to student travelers in 2009. The funds were donated to a local woman to assist with medical care costs for her baby. Her child is afflicted with Down Syndrome, a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. The woman, who has worked hard to enhance GradCity programs at Senor Frogs over a number of years, had not been able to earn enough money to pay for the child’s care due to a recent downturn in tourism. Because there is no nationalized health care in Puerto Vallarta, she has had to pay out-of-pocket for her son’s therapies. The $2,000 donation will help her pay for over a year’s worth of therapies for her young son.

(NEET) Negril Education Environment Trust

Based out of Negril, Jamaica, NEET is a non-profit organization based at Travellers Beach Resort in Jamaica. In 2003 the organization was founded to address the country’s need for educational support and resources. Since its inception, NEET’s mission and vision have grown. Today, NEET is committed to strengthening the social fabric of Jamaica through programs that expand educational access for children and adults, partnerships that address our public and environmental health and events and activities that celebrate Jamaica’s rich heritage. NEET achieves its mission through the provision of three programs, Island-wide Book & Computer Distribution, Computer Literacy, and the Medical Mission.

Buy-A-Brick Campaign

The buy-a-brick campaign began a few years ago as part of "Soul Rebellion," an event in which spring breakers interact with the community as part of a cultural exchange. During this time our Spring Breakers and others purchased bricks that went toward building a library and toilets at St. Paul’s Primary School. N.E.E.T now intends to continue building libraries throughout each school year for those schools experiencing similar conditions as St. Paul’s. Additionally, the buy-a-brick program recently assisted in building a canteen for Ferris Primary School.

To see how you can help NEET complete its mission, visit http://www.neetja.com/.

GradCity Ultimate Scholarship Program

In 2006 The Ultimate Scholarship was created as an annual program offered by GradCity to help students seize opportunities and realize their dreams. Every year since, GradCity has been proud to continue to recognize and deliver this scholarship to students who qualify.

A portion of the proceeds from each and every trip that GradCity operates is contributed to the scholarship fund.

Want to win a scholarship? Any high school senior is eligible! Just apply online, then send your essay to GradCity. The winner is chosen each year in May and awarded with the scholarship and a letter of recognition.

Please visit our website for more information or to apply: http://gradcity.com/index.php/scholarships/scholarship_application