Written by Hawai’i Students, Kayla Pitch 🍊 and Abdulaziz Albreiki 🐙 this Hawaii semester Maui cultural learning update covers taro planting, Hula practice, lei making with Lizzie, and surfing at Kipuka Olowalu.
The past week has been jam packed with new experiences. Last weekend we went to The Blowhole, which is a massive hole in the rock where water blows through up to dozens of feet in the air creating… Read More
Written by Tai and Naomi, this Italy Greece Matera farm stay update covers a week at La Masseria La Fiorita, building birdhouses, hiking the Gravina gorge, and a cultural exchange evening with local Italian students in Altamura.
This last week we were staying outside of a beautiful town called Matera. We were staying on a working farm called La Masseria La Fiorita. The farm had everything from horses and cows… Read More
Written by Gavin Parker, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year New Zealand outdoors student, this reflection covers marketing work at Whenua Iti, outdoor adventures across the South Island, and rich insights into Māori culture.
Kia Ora! My time in New Zealand has been very much an eye opener in many aspects, either that be culturally, environmentally, and learning more about myself as well. While working with Whenua Iti Outdoors, they have helped… Read More
Written by Gabriel Cohen, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year Argentina Buenos Aires student, this reflection covers Spanish classes at Expanish, a children’s internship with LIFE, and discovering the city’s food, football, and art scene.
I didn’t know what to expect when I landed in Buenos Aires on January 26th – it was not only my first time in the city, but also my first time in South America. It was a… Read More
Written by Léa and Iris, this Guatemala Long Way Home Comalapa update covers sustainable construction with cob and tires, traditional cooking, cultural night with live marimba, and a visit to the Mayan ruins of Iximche.
We made our way to the town of Comalapa. Taking a walk around with Omar, our host at ‘Long Way Home’, we learned about the artistic presence of the town along with the strong Mayan… Read More
Written by Carol and Soumya, Overseas Educators, this Southeast Asia Cambodia Angkor Wat update covers orientation week in Siem Reap, three days with local guide Cho, and a visit to the Landmine Museum outside Angkor Wat.
In collaboration with our non-profit partner Carpe Mundi
We arrived in Cambodia! We spent a week in Siem Reap getting oriented to our semester, regional culture and language, learning how to stay healthy and… Read More
Written by the Carpe Diem team, this Carpe Diem gap year awards post celebrates 2022 recognition from GoOverseas, GoAbroad, and the B Corporation community for outstanding support, value, and community impact.
As you know, at Carpe Diem, we provide students an opportunity to explore some of the most fascinating regions on Earth, each offering a unique culturally immersive experience. But to us, our work is about more than travel.… Read More
Written by Fiona and Forrest, Overseas Educators, this Hawaii semester Maui orientation update covers the group’s first week at Kipuka Olowalu, snorkeling Honolua Bay, and hearing whales sing underwater.
After some nefarious weather on the mainland and some heavy delays all of our students arrived in Maui by Friday afternoon! The week has consisted of orientation, snorkeling, starting work at Kipuka Olowalu, and a whole lot of wind. Students have… Read More
Written by Abby and Matt, Overseas Educators, this Guatemala gap year orientation Antigua update covers three nights at Earthlodge avocado farm, a Temascal, and the group’s first steps into Antigua before heading to Comalapa.
We’ve spent the last 3 nights at a magical avocado farm outside the city of Antigua setting the tone for the rest of the semester through icebreakers, team building activities, deep journal prompts and a thorough… Read More
Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educator, Ariana
The Italy and Greece program is off to a great start! We landed in Rome and after a day of planes, trains, and automobiles we made it to Sora. Since arriving we’ve explored the countryside, done yoga, made pasta and gnocchi, and started our orientation activities. Our host Antonello has been amazing and the crew of volunteers here has warmly welcomed us… Read More
They’ve arrived! The Spring 2023 Hawai’i students have arrived on location and are enjoying some time resting and eating a group meal before orientation formally begins. Excited for the journey ahead!… Read More
They’ve arrived! Our Central America students and leaders have arrived and are settling in. After a long journey, they’re enjoying a meal together and gearing up for orientation with leaders Matt and Abby.
… Read More
The Southeast Asia semester students (our friends at Carpe Mundi) have arrived safely! Although tired from their long journey, they’re excited to get started exploring with their two expert leaders, Soumya and Carol. So thrilled to see this group smiling and ready for adventure!… Read More
Italy and Greece students have arrived in Rome and are making their way to their first accommodation – a farm stay where they’ll participate in orientation with their expert leaders, Mara and Ariana. So excited to see what’s in store for this group of adventurers!… Read More
Central America Semester: “Gettin’ Giddy for Guate!”
Greetings from Portland! Abby and Matt here, your Central America OE’s reporting from a cute corner cafe in Portland! We are wrapping up our preparations for an awesome upcoming 10 weeks! Today we participated in a Carpe Diem scavenger hunt around Portland, and in the process have continued learning about and getting to know one another – for example, Abby learned that Matt… Read More
Written by Megan
That’s all, folks! The Terra group has been back home for almost 2 weeks, adjusting back to the normal pace of daily life. Did we really just do all that we did? Whatever motivated each student to step on that plane on September 15th and fly to a foreign country with complete strangers, we applaud them! It takes courage to do what others aren’t doing- to walk… Read More
CODA
E Hō Mai ka ‘ike mai luna mai ē
O nā mea huna no’eau O nā mele ē
E hō mai E hō mai E hō mai ē
The E hō mai is a chant to grant us knowledge from above. Hawaii has given us more than we could ever hope to return. The islands have taught us patience, empathy, history, restoration, gratitude, and of course the game of… Read More
Written By OEs Mara & Matt
And with our journals full of discoveries, our hearts full of memories, and our clothing full of new smells, we’ve found our ways back home. It’s amazing how quickly time has passed! It feels like we were just meeting each other in the Sonesta hotel and carrying a massive pizza box through security.
Rides in the back of pick-up trucks and volcanic eruptions set… Read More
Written By Bella
After our time at Re-green, we spent this final week directing ourselves around the Peloponnese region of Greece. Our first stop was Olympia, where we leaned about the ancient ruins, artifacts, the Olympics, and the Temple of Zeus followed by a race on the ancient track. We also had the opportunity to check out an amazing honey farm where we learned the process of bee boxes and… Read More
Written by Soumya
Sou so dai, Sabai fam. It’s your fearless knee-slapping leader, and I’m posted up in a back-alley noodle & dumpling shop in Phnom Penh as I write this, surrounded by bamboo walls, whirring fans, and the sound of motorbikes racing by. As I reflect on the last few months, you eleven intrepid, transformed young travelers who departed this morning in a flurry of hugs and oversized bags… Read More
