Blog

Lions, Mambas, and Illness, Oh My!

Nkula Overseas Educators East Africa- NKULA
By Mary Dudley Berry Hello to all of our fans out there! As our time at Ohana Amani came to an end, the group experienced a few changes in our dynamic. We sadly said goodbye to one of our members, and happily welcomed a new temporary member. Jenny, the Executive Director of Carpe Diem, joined our group to experience the day-to-day adventures and challenges of a group semester. It seems… Read More

Attack of the Flies

Hongi Overseas Educators South Pacific- HONGI
By Jamie Vischer Hey Moms and Dads, We just arrived in Cairn after a sweaty and bug-infested safari through the northern territory. We started off with a long bumpy car ride to the campsite that we made home for the next two days. We slept under the stars as a group in “swags,” which are basically canvas pods with your head exposed. Disregarding some encounters with ants at night, sleeping… Read More

Bona Fide-Bound!

Maya Overseas Educators Central America- MAYA
By Chloe Steffes Hola todos! In the final weeks of our Nicaraguan journey, the Carpe group has really been both absorbing and adapting to nature all around us. We have even taken it so far as to live a more “rustic” lifestyle as we approach the end of our trip. Our week began with a well thought out hike planned by Annie on Mombacho. After bussing up the majority of… Read More

A Cultural Exchange with Tan Tao University!

Sabai Overseas Educators Southeast Asia- SABAI
Coming from our relaxing week at the yoga retreat. We headed to Ha Tien to spend a week with students from Tan Tao University in their first cultural exchange. The week was spent in homestays with the locals of Ha Tien as well with the students. We were welcomed into Ha Tien by the local government with open arms. We volunteered by cleaning up the streets of Ha Tien, taught… Read More

Yoga Retreat Week

Sabai Overseas Educators Southeast Asia- SABAI
By Ashley Gonzalez-Lopez This week our group went on a yoga retreat. The main focus was to try to reflect on what we have done on this trip, the obstacles we have overcome, and the people we have met. Every day we woke up to silent time and went straight into yoga practice at 7:00 am. Breakfast was from 8:30 to 9:45. At 9:45, the whole temple got together for… Read More

Stop. Drop. Travel.

Maya Overseas Educators Central America- MAYA
By Kaitlin Emmett Recharged from early bedtimes and delicious food cooked by our homestay mothers, we finished the week out strong installing a composting septic tank at Chloe’s homestay. We also played more soccer with local players who significantly surpassed our skill level. While Talia, Hannah, and a few others were able to hold their own, the rest of us supported them from the sidelines and Paige snapped some killer… Read More

Peace Between Those Who Breathe Together

Nkula Overseas Educators East Africa- NKULA
By Morgan Kromer Peace between those who breathe together, Ohana Amani, Peace within, Peace throughout. We helped to make a class in trees, Chainsaws rolling, Branches falling, Learninng center, Welcome space. Others helped out in the garden, Pulling weeds, Turning compost, Raspberries snacked, Orchards tended. Afternoons were filled with growth, Quiet moments, Laughter present, Some reflection, Our stories. Our day of silence was a struggle, Not for most, But for… Read More

Swimming In Stars

carpediem Latitudes Year
At 1:30 am Rachana shook me awake. In the dark, my head still thick with sleep, I assumed it was one of my roommates waking me for my 6 am dolphin survey. This was not the case, I quickly realized, checking my watch and recognizing the culprit responsible for disturbing my sleep. “Come on! I have something to show you!” Now, I am not a person who likes to be… Read More

Peace Farm, Australia

carpediem Latitudes Year
By Ella Gambell, Latitudes Australia I’m not going to lie, the first couple weeks of this semester were pretty tough for me. At Latitudes orientation right before I came here, I heard about all of the amazing things all of the other Carpe kids are doing and I wondered if I could be doing something better or more adventurous than working on a farm. I would be weeding in the… Read More

Saludos de Peru!

Inti Overseas Educators South America- INTI
By Isabella Spivey Saludos de Peru! Isabella here, to update you on our adventure from the past week. Our second to last day in Ecuador, we said a bittersweet farewell to Sarah Beth, and joined her and her family for dinner and shared our gratitude for having her as part of our Inti Family. As sad as it is that she will be leaving us, we are all holding out… Read More

To All the Little Moments….

carpediem Latitudes Year
I’ve thought about leaving many times; some days I was excited to move on and other days I dreaded the day I would have to say goodbye. And now that time where I have to say goodbye and move on is not in the far-off future anymore – tomorrow I must say goodbye. And, now that the time to leave is finally here I find it hard to accept the… Read More

“I never thought digging holes could be this fun!”

Maya Overseas Educators Central America- MAYA
By Annie Our week and a half at Colibri Spanish School came to a close with some final juegos and all of us attempting to absorb our last formal Spanish lessons of the trip. We said goodbyes and thank yous to the amazing teachers, excited for one last weekend in Matagalpa. As it is Good Friday, the main cathedral off of Morazan Park was hosting a special annual service and… Read More

Spider Monkeys on a Hot Tin Roof

carpediem Latitudes Year
By Eli Karsh-Lombardo, Latitudes Ecuador ’18 The days start at 6:30 AM with the crazy urge to pee after the three-Nalgene-a-day-from-sweat kicks in. Real alarm clock is when the family of seven Spiderman and 200 square monkeys decide to jump play and fight on the thin loud metal roof of the volunteer house. After that, depending on the schedule of the day, we either head straight to the bodega for… Read More

Fox’s Farm in Mufindi

Nkula Overseas Educators East Africa- NKULA
A fierce game of badminton at the Fox’s Farm in Mufindi. Maytal enjoying the lush landscape in Mufindi. Kiara got muddy playing soccer in the rain with some boys at the children’s village in Mufindi. Hanging out with Mr. Fox, a British man who founded the NGO we worked with in Mufindi. There were really cute dogs. Saying good bye to the kids and house mamas of Mufindi. The group … Read More

Success Starts From Within

Nkula Overseas Educators East Africa- NKULA
By Kiara D. Chavez, Tosca, Mary Dudley, and Maytal Hola mis quieridos amigos, Last week we finished staying at the Munfindi Children’s Home. It was amazing to experience bonding with the children and learning about the large presence of HIV/AIDS in the region. Tosca, Rachel and I even got the opportunity to play soccer in the rain with the older boys, best believe we were soaked by the end. While… Read More

From Phnom Penh to Kratie

Sabai Overseas Educators Southeast Asia- SABAI
By Chris Denning The past few days our Sabai group has traveled to Cambodia! We arrived for our first few days in the bustling city of Phnom Penh. The city that holds just about 1.5 million, felt no bigger than a small town. We spent our first few days throughout the city, exploring the beautiful temples and the royal palace. We saw the extravagant Central market and walked along the… Read More

Bula from Fiji!

Hongi Overseas Educators South Pacific- HONGI
By Wes BULA!!!! (Hello in Fijian) After leaving New Zealand we have made our way out of Aukland and into Nadi, Fiji. We posted up at a very nice hostel there and met some pretty cool people. One of them was Nazil, our taxi driver, photographer, all-time best friend and “FBI” agent. He took us to a gorgeous mud pool where almost everyone pushed their limits with their comfort zone… Read More

Elephant Sanctuary & Trekking: A Photo Story

Sabai Overseas Educators Southeast Asia- SABAI
Sites along the trek. During the trek, the group stayed at local villages along the way and met many kind hosts. Navigating the rivers on a bamboo raft in Northern Thailand. During the trek the group was able to visit an elephant sanctuary. The students enjoyed visiting and playing with the elephants, while learning about all of the ways elephants can be mistreated and how to help rescue elephants.… Read More