Deforestation, One Week Later

carpediem Latitudes Year
By Scott Penfield, Latitudes Brazil Last week, I posted about a farm that we visited near Belisario, where we witnessed firsthand the destruction of the rainforest in the name of agriculture and mineral extraction. Today, we received a somewhat hopeful update from Robin. He was initially skeptical that a complaint to the police would yield any results, despite the fact that the cutting of the forest was objectively illegal. Earlier… Read More

Excited to Meet the Crew!

carpediem Southeast Asia- SABAI
Sawadee Kha/Krap Sabai crew! This is Cari and Jonathan here, reaching out from Portland, Oregon. We hope you are all as stoked as we are for our upcoming adventures! We have been racking our brains to ensure the most epic experiences that will blow your mind! If you are feeling those pre-departure jitters, just know that it’s normal, and it means that you are about to have a truly meaningful… Read More

Artisan Classes in Stonetown: Photos

carpediem East Africa- NKULA
Photos from Matt and Michelle, our fabulous Overseas Educators A big thanks to our OEs for even more great photos. The Nkula crew spent a week in homestays in Stonetown, Zanzibar. They spent the days taking classes from local artisans and learning the basics of traditional woodcarving, “Tinga Tinga” painting, making natural herbal remedies and beauty products, and music. They also got to visit Prison Island (known locally as “Changuu”)… Read More

Spice Tour Photos

carpediem East Africa- NKULA
Photos from Matt S. and Michelle N., the Nkula Overseas Educators! Zanzibar is famous for it’s spices. Our Nkula crew recently got to visit a local spice farm to learn how vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and other tasty spices are grown. Thanks for the photos, Matt and Michelle!… Read More

Thanksgiving with the Fam

carpediem India- SHANTI
Blog from Isabel S. Photos from Isabel, Peter, and Bria It is almost 9:00am as I climb the steps to the dining hall. Still a little groggy after three hours of early-morning meditation and yoga, I feel a nudge a little too forceful and hear in an excited Alec whisper, “Happy Thanksgiving”. My face slightly brightens as I realize what day it is back home in America. I think about… Read More

Mangroves, Fish, & Amoebas, Oh My!

carpediem Southeast Asia- SABAI
blog and photos from Kyla M Taking a turn from cultural constipation, our group members were plummeting (literally!) Thanks to my bad luck, I got the worst of an amoeba invasion (a bacterial infection caused by consuming dirty water). It has definitely been a nerve racking experience having to go to the hospital in a foreign country, but it has taught me how to be brave and to always look… Read More

Dharmalaya: Natural Building & Karma Yoga

carpediem India- SHIVA
Blog from Atticus Flannigan-Burt. Photos from Cari Our time at Dharmalaya was a good one. All the staff, architecture students, and workers were kind, patient and knowledgeable. We learned a lot across a myriad of subjects – from brick-making to vegan cooking and meditation. Meditation was an important part of our time at Dharmalaya. We spent thirty minutes meditating every morning and on some days another half hour before bed.… Read More

Welcome to Turtle Island

carpediem Latitudes Year
By Maggie Seida Seeing my first glance of Koh Tao from the boat, I was already hooked—the little island is dotted with bungalows, dogs running on the beaches, and boat captains calling to each other from the bay. To get from the main pier to the dive school is an overpriced, five-minute taxi ride (be prepared: that taxi means the back of a motorbike or the bed of a pickup).… Read More

And They’re Off…

carpediem Southeast Asia- SABAI
We’ve heard from the Sabai Crew and all is well in San Francisco. 11 of the 12 group members gathered smoothly (and the 12th will be flying from Dubai to meet the group in Thailand). Thanks so much for all of your support in getting the students to this step. We can’t wait to hear about their adventures as they journey through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam over the coming months.… Read More

India Bound!

carpediem India- SHANTI
We’ve received word that the whole Shanti Fall ’17 crew has gathered in San Francisco! Though they have 20+ hours of transit before arriving in Delhi, spirits are high and the entire crew is looking forward to what’s ahead. Thanks to each of you for supporting the students in getting to this step. We’re wishing the mighty Shanti Crew the best of luck in this upcoming semester and can’t wait… Read More

Shiva Heads to India

carpediem India- SHIVA
We’ve received word that the entire Shiva crew has gathered safe and sound in the San Francisco airport. Spirits are high and everyone is excited to begin the journey! Thanks to everyone back home for all of your support in getting our students to this first courageous step. We can’t wait to follow along on their adventure and will be wishing the crew the best of luck. Next stop… Hong… Read More

Latitudes Year Reflection

carpediem Latitudes Year
Blog from Harvey G My advice to anyone considering a gap year would be: Do Carpe Diem. There are so many reasons, but here are a few ones that come to mind: I feel more prepared to go into college now that I’ve completed my year abroad. I’ve had a big range of experiences from surfing on the coast of Peru to hiking to 17,000 feet altitude. I made some… Read More

Latitudes Year: Wildtraks

carpediem Latitudes Year
Post by Hollyn H Wildtraks, in Sarteneja, Belize, was the perfect placement for me. I can’t believe that it’s almost over but I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Wildtraks is a rehabilitation center for primates and manatees. They have spider and howler monkeys of all ages but my job is to care for several baby howler monkeys in the nursery. When I first got here, i was only… Read More

Adiós de Amanda y David

carpediem Cuba - CHANGO
Just as the 40-minute flight was too short of a transition away from Cuba, so were the quick goodbyes at the Miami airport. We (David and Amanda) just missed our connecting flight out of Philly, so we’re in limbo before the next one down to VA, which perhaps is a good reflection of the internal limbo we feel… not quite ready to depart from the unique sensación de Cuba. We… Read More

Kia Ora, Bula, and G’Day!

carpediem South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Emerging from the underground of the metro train station and into the heart of Sydney, a feeling of I’m sooo confused! washed over us all. The looming buildings that blocked the view of the night sky and bustling streets swarming with hurried people all seemed out of place. The weeks that proceeded this moment were ones of magic. We had spent twelve beautiful weeks learning and growing across the rustic… Read More

Onward!

carpediem South America- INTI
Blog from Matt and Rachel “We embark on trips to discover and remember what we hold most dear, the experiences and people we cherish and love. And then – our greatest challenge – we return home seeking to enact the wisdom as best we can in our daily lives.” -William Cronan We, as leaders, feel proud and fortunate to sit in the afterglow of a superb semester together. Now as… Read More

On Going Home…

carpediem Central America- MAYA
On going home… “It is not a garment I cast off this day, but a skin that I tear with my own hands. Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst. Yet I cannot tarry longer. The sea that calls all things unto her calls me, and I must embark. For, to stay, though the hours burn in the… Read More