In his 1869 book The Innocents Abroad, or The New Pilgrim’s Progress, Mark Twain said, “one must travel to learn.”
Chelsea Glass, founder and CEO of the travel agency Heart of Travel and an alum of Sac State, is helping people learn. 

Born and raised in Sacramento, Glass took an unconventional route in her academic career. She graduated from high school at 16, got her BA from Prescott College while living in Guatemala, and then returned home to pursue a Master’s Degree in Spanish at Sacramento State.

“I was able to jump right in even without previous formal coursework in Spanish,” Glass said. “It took a few years and some balancing of life and business, but I finally graduated in 2021.”

Along that route, she started Heart of Travel, a women-led, Latino/a team dedicated to innovative, authentic travel.

“We’re passionate about providing dignified opportunities for our partners and letting their voices shine,” Glass said. 

Alessandra McMorris, senior program manager for the College of Continuing Education’s [CCE] Faculty Led Study Abroad [FLSA] program, connected with Glass after seeing her speak at a virtual event. That conversation eventually led to Heart of Travel assisting with an FLSA program in Costa Rica and Guatemala

“I was immediately excited to be involved,” Glass exclaimed, adding that there’s a lot of heart in what her agency does. “It’s been a great collaborative journey so far, and I’m excited to blend our unique travel approaches with their educational goals. We can’t wait to share that with CSUS and our travelers for years to come.”

Traveling From the Student’s Perspective

Sac State senior Ana Elizabeth Munoz recently participated in the Costa Rica and Guatemala FLSA program, choosing these locations because they combined her interests in health and culture. 

“I wanted to learn more about the healthcare systems in Central America, while also connecting with the history and traditions of the region,” Munoz said. “As someone with Guatemalan heritage, it was especially meaningful to experience the culture firsthand, as it was my first time traveling to Guatemala and I am also the first among my siblings to travel to our country of origin.” 

What stood out for Munoz during her time in Costa Rica and Guatemala was visiting local clinics while being able to speak with medical professionals about the challenges they face with their healthcare system. 

“This experience deepened my commitment to pursuing a career as a physician assistant,” Munoz said. “I gained a new perspective on healthcare access, prevention, and community health, which I plan to bring into my future work. On a personal level, it helped me feel more connected to my roots while also strengthening my adaptability and global awareness.”

If the opportunity to travel and learn again presents itself to Munoz, she would absolutely take it.

“This experience showed me how valuable studying abroad is for personal growth and academic development,” Munoz said. “If given the chance, I would love to participate again to continue broadening my perspective.”

Learn More About CCE’s FLSA Programs

Adventure, culture, and learning await — because at Sac State, the world is part of your education. Explore our upcoming Faculty-Led Study Abroad opportunities.