Blog

Walkabout Crew is Off to the South Pacific!

Greetings friends and family Just a brief note to let you know that the Walkabout Crew has gathered in full force. All 12 students and their fearleass Overseas Educators have convened in L.A. and are now en route to the fabulous land of New Zealand! Thank you all for your support in making this journey possible. The group now embarks upon of 3 month journey of growth, insight, and adventure;… Read More

And they’re off!

The MAYA group is all together for the first time! They’ve all arrived safely to LAX, checked in for their flight to Guatemala and are getting ready to head through security. They are already enjoying getting to know one another and are looking forward to the journey ahead. We wish them safe and easy travels tonight and will post another blog here once we receive word that they have arrived… Read More

The Hongi Crew is Off…

We have word that all is well with the Hongi Crew! All 12 students and their fearless Overseas Educators have convened in L.A. are are now en route for the amazing land of New Zealand! Thank you all for your support in making this journey possible! It is truly a remarkable opportunity for these individuals to explore the richness, complexity, and beauty of these lands and cultures. We look forward to… Read More

Off to Nicaragua!

The QUETZAL students have all arrived safely to LAX and are together as a group for the first time! They are checked in for their flight to Nicaragua and are getting ready to head through security. They are already enjoying getting to know one another and are looking forward to the journey ahead. We wish them safe and easy travels tonight and will post another blog here once we receive… Read More

And They’re Off…

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!

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

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

Enough of This Planning and Packing

Good Morning, Sabai! Greetings from Portland where the air is as dry as our humor, and if our Boddhisatva instincts are correct, the ashes falling from the sky can only mean one thing: there’s a forest fire nearby. And that we should go soon. Enough of this planning and packing, what we don’t have we don’t need. We’ll forge new friendships, build our own support system, and take deep dives… Read More

Kia Ora from Staff Training in Portland!

Kia Ora from staff training in Portland!  A big welcome to the friends and families that will be following our journey over the coming months. We are brimming with anticipation to begin our journey around the South Pacific with you all in just a few short days! We have been getting excited over the course of reviewing itineraries, exploring maps, and connecting with local contacts in New Zealand, Fiji and… Read More

Karibu

Mambo Kifaru Crew! Greetings from Ellen & Mike. We have spent the last week here in Portland eagerly preparing for our upcoming trip to East Africa. We are excited to meet all of you soon, and look forward to traveling, playing, learning and growing together over the next three months. We hope you are as pumped about our amazing itinerary as we are. Be on the look out for a… Read More

Beginning The Journey

Just over a week ago we met face to face for the first time. Much like what our students will face, the moment was filled with excitement and anticipation. Will this person like me? Am I good enough to be here? The doubts and worries soon faded as we embarked on a variety of workshops and sessions, acquiring the knowledge and resources needed to empower and lead our students through… Read More

Group Chango!

Greetings from beautiful Portland, Oregon, the home base for Carpe Diem. Liz and I hope you are as excited to meet us as we are to meet you. During our Overseas Educators Orientation we obtained some great information and fun stuff to transition into Cuba. The first 4 days we camped in the beautiful Milo McIver Park with 22 other Overseas Educators. It was great to swap stories and hear… Read More

Hola from Kate and Julian!

Saludos, Team Inti and loved ones! Greetings from Portland, Oregon, where the entire Carpe Diem Education Headquarters is buzzing with excitement in preparation for our adventurous fall semester in Ecuador and Peru! In a short week from now we will be settling in to our new home in the land of Inti, the Incan Sun God. Soon enough we will all be caring for banana trees on the Ecuadorian coast,… Read More

The time is nigh.

Hey Shiva Team! We hope everyone has their excited pants on and you all are ready and rearing to go on an incredible adventure! We are so excited to embark on this enlightening journey together with all of you amazing people. We’ve both spent the past two weeks in Portland, including a camping trip out at McIver campground, surrounded by the love and community of Carpe Diem. We have filled… Read More

Fall Semester is so close!

Namaste from the Shanti Fall 2017 leader duo, Bria and Pete. We are beyond excited to meet our team of stellar students in just five days! The next three months will be full of learning, adventure, and community. We will be spending the first half of our journey exploring several historic cities and sites– from Delhi to Jaipur to Varanasi to Kolkata. We will also have an opportunity to be… Read More

Saludos de Portland!!

Hola Team Quetzal Students, Families and Friends!! It has been wonderful getting to chat with all of you over the past few weeks, our excitement for the upcoming semester is through the roof! From our brief conversations, it seems we have a really strong group, with all of you ready to bring your own passions and strengths to our new community. We are in the midst of staff training in… Read More

Latitudes Year Reflection

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

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