Written by Kelli Parker, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year Spain Malaga student, this reflection covers Spanish immersion at OnSpain school, working with local children, and building independence in Málaga.
This semester was overwhelmingly empowering. I flew halfway across the country by myself and somehow managed to get myself to all the places I needed to be. Just for some context, I’m extremely directionally challenged. Like, extremely. So, just that was an… Read More
Written by Peyton Molacek, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year Thailand reef conservation student, this reflection covers marine biology surveys, artificial reef building, and giant clam conservation at New Heaven Dive School in Koh Tao.
My first 6 weeks in Koh Tao, Thailand have been full of many, many, many unexpected adventures. I came into this experience thinking I was going to dive everyday and maybe input some data. I never imagined… Read More
Written by Caedin and Menna, this Xela Spanish school Guatemala update covers their first week at PLQ in Quetzaltenango, with individual Spanish lessons, a women’s rights talk, homestay arrivals, and a waterpark visit.
This week, we arrived in the beautiful city of Quetzaltenango, aka Xela! After a 4 hour car ride, we finally arrived at our hostel Casa Seibel. We started off the week with Spanish classes at PLQ, a… Read More
Written by Levi, this Southeast Asia Cambodia teaching update covers a week of classroom volunteering, mural painting, and community connection at PTD Battambang with Rith, Hou, and Visal.
In collaboration with our non-profit partner Carpe Mundi
This last week, we traded our cushy, air-conditioned rooms in Siem Reap for cozy cabin beds with bug nets in (near?) Battambang. We stayed at Pteu Teuk Dong (PTD), a school that is part… Read More
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
