A Global Partnership to Build Global Citizens - Janbala and Global Citizen Year

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Janbala, a San Francisco-based online travel brand, has teamed up with Global Citizen Year, a non-profit organization on a mission to build a new generation of globally-aware leaders. Together, the two organizations hope to amplify their shared goal of creating global citizens who are driven by global understanding, real world experience, and a sense of purpose.

Driven by the belief that travel should generate positive impact for both the traveler and the communities they visit, Janbala builds on the inspiration derived from its namesake: Jambhala, the practice of cultivating compassion to share prosperity of the spirit. "We are committed to breaking down the barriers in our societies and building global human kindness — travel with a heart. Shared experiences from travel should lead to shared prosperity," said Jason Chen, Founder and CEO of Travana, the parent company behind Janbala.

In service of Global Citizen Year and its mission, Janbala will provide support with a full range of travel-related products and insights. This includes arranging flights and hotel accommodations; assistance from global travel experts, seasoned marketing professionals and software engineering talent; networks with significant international investment and local community organizations all over the world; time (man-power in the US, China, Philippines and beyond); and exposure (already receiving daily visits over 35,000 per day).  

"Our partnership with Global Citizen Year reinforces our values – building bold new models for cross-cultural learning and inspiring generations to come," said Chen. Janbala is dedicated to cultivating compassion through every aspect of its work, and sees travel itself as a means of breaking down global misconceptions, building bridges and understanding across cultures, in turn sharing wealth and prosperity all over the world.

Last week, Katie Couric came to learn more about the Global Citizen Year fellows and to highlight the need to build global first-hand experience to drive the decisions of our future global leaders. "The challenges that we face on this planet are global in nature – things like climate change, security, poverty – these things don't know borders, and change starts from leadership that's grounded in first-hand experience."

Our society is facing a crisis in preparing young people for leadership in today's globally connected world. In the United States, the K-12 system overlooks the global competencies – empathy, language fluency, cross-cultural skills – that are vital to 21st century leadership. Global Citizen Year is committed to ensuring that the next generation of leaders is equipped to thrive in our global communities, and to address our global challenges head on.

"Global Citizen Year is thrilled to partner with Janbala to highlight the importance of travel and cultural exchange," said Global Citizen year founder Abby Falik. "Our Fellows learn first-hand how immersion in a new community transforms a worldview — creating relationships, building skills and unleashing passion that informs their decisions in college and beyond — and through their support, Janbala will help us make this opportunity available to a greater number and diversity of fellows."

About Janbala  
Janbala is an online travel agency with a mission. Debuting with robust flight and hotel booking capabilities, backed by 24/7 customer support, Janbala.com plans to introduce an array of new products that will transform the way people research, book and share travel experiences online. Driven by the belief that shared experiences should lead to shared prosperity, Janbala is partnering with mission-driven organizations to create a platform where travel generates positive impact for both the traveler and the communities they visit. For more information, please visit www.janbala.com

About Global Citizen Year
Global Citizen Year is an award-winning, non-profit social enterprise on a mission to make it normal to choose a bridge year; an experience after high school that builds self-awareness, global skills, and grit – the foundations for success in college and beyond. For more information, please visit www.globalcitizenyear.org

For any press inquiries, please contact: pr@janbala.com
Travana, Inc. 600 Townsend St, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA 94103 | Call (415) 919 4133

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160927/412285 

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160927/412284 

SOURCE Janbala; Global Citizen Year