Written by Tai and Henry, this Italy Greece Paladini camping update covers a week of volunteer work, cold nights in tents, campfire nights with international volunteers, and a final farewell dinner in Rome before flying to Greece.
After we arrived in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana by train we were excited to finally arrive in Paladini. We were met by wonderful volunteers from Ireland, France, Italy, and Hungary. Our partner, Colm, his… Read More
Written by Abdulaziz and Nick, this Hawaii semester Pono Grown farm update covers beekeeping, banana tree planting, a natural medicine lesson, and the group’s move from Maui to the Big Island.
Our group had a lot of fun with bee farming and making medicine from natural plants! We harvested vegetables, planted banana trees, and built a water tank for our friends and hosts at the Pono Grown farm. Everyone is… Read More
Written by Olivia and Emma, this Hawaii semester Haleakala hike update covers a week of weeding, planting, and harvesting at Pono Grown farm, capped off with a 12-mile trail hike above the clouds.
We have spent the last week at Pono grown weeding, planting, and harvesting. At Pono Grown, we have had the opportunity to work with Evan, the owner of the property, and the interns who are also living… Read More
Written by Mateo Lombard, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year India volunteer, this reflection covers a vegan festival at Sadhana Forest, a week in Varkala, and permaculture workshops at Dharmalaya in Dharmsala.
My semester started in South India a few hours away from Chennai, at a place called Sadhana Forest. This place is a vegan community that focuses on reforestation and water conservation. At the time I arrived, Sadhana Forest was hosting… Read More
Written by Talia, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year Buenos Aires student, this reflection covers daily life in Argentina, a composting internship, and falling in love with the people and culture of this city.
My typical weekday begins with two snoozed alarms, followed by a hasty rush out the door to catch the 59 bus. I arrive at school at 9:35, late as always, with a sheepish grin. During our first break,… Read More
Written by Aiden and Naomi, this Via Francigena trek Italy update covers 25 miles of Tuscan countryside, a medieval village, a silent hike, and a final evening exploring Siena with guide Lauren.
After sadly ending our stay in Florence, we made our way to Gambassi Terme to begin our Via Francigena Trek!! That afternoon we met Lauren, our guide for the trek, and prepared to begin our journey.
Lauren guided… Read More
Written by April and Ozzy, this San Juan Lake Atitlan homestay update covers cultural skill classes in weaving, music, and painting, plus Spanish lessons and a local fútbol game in San Juan La Laguna.
This week we were presented with more of a mental challenge than a physical one. We traveled across the lake on a boat to San Juan, then went to our separate home stays and started Spanish… Read More
Written by Laura and Jonah, this Italy Greece Florence Panta Rei update covers their final days at the eco-community before exploring the Uffizi, Orti Dipinti garden, and a Fiesole wine tasting.
This week we finished up our stay at Panta Rei, and went to Florence. In Panta Rei, we helped give back to the community by picking up any trash around the property that we could find. We also made… Read More
Written by Izzy and Dylan, this Lake Atitlan permaculture farm update covers a week of sustainable agriculture at Atitlan Organics, reforestation with Wellkind, and boat rides around the lake.
Since coming back from the very long and tiring hike, we all stayed at a hostel in Tzununa called Granja Tz’kinin, where we met Neal, who gave us his perspective on how permaculture can shape the way you view the world.… Read More
Written by Kat and Lucky, this Southeast Asia Cambodia volunteer update covers nature immersion at VitaminAir, a conversation with author Thavry Thon, and planting 132 mangrove trees in Kampot.
In collaboration with our non-profit partner Carpe Mundi
After our brief yet amazing time in Phnom Penh, we began our 3 hour journey. Jammed into one van with our belongings, we met up with our good friend Sela, who speaks great… Read More
Written by Hawaii Students Nicole🐞and Jaidan🐝 this Hawaii semester bamboo farm Hana update covers volunteering at Whispering Winds, a winding drive to Hana, lava tube exploration, and a black sand beach stop before the Haleakala hike.
We arrived at our new campsite at Whispering Winds, a bamboo farm where we got the opportunity to volunteer with River. We also were lucky enough to get a tour from Rich who taught… Read More
Written by Justin and Addie, this Guatemala mountain trek Xela update covers host family life, karaoke nights, and a grueling three-day 20-mile hike from Xela through the Guatemalan mountains to Lake Atitlan.
Second week in Xela! Moved in with our host families this week and got to immerse ourselves in the culture of Guatemala even further while practicing the Spanish skills we’ve been working on. Continuing our Spanish classes, we… Read More
Written by Dulce and Hayden, this Southeast Asia Cambodia floating village update covers life in Prek Toal, English teaching, volleyball, and a powerful visit to Phnom Penh’s killing fields.In collaboration with our non-profit partner Carpe Mundi
We started our week off by boat, traveling to the floating villages. We met our fun tour guide Yusef. Upon arriving, we got to the nonprofit, Osmose, who provided our meals for the… Read More
Written by Izzy and Abby, this Hawaii semester land trust Maui update covers native planting at Waihe’e, a visit to Uncle George’s farm, baby lambs, and a birthday celebration in Kihei.
On Sunday March 12th, we arrived at the Hawaiian Island Land Trust campsite in Waihe’e. We took some time to get in the water and watch the sunset after our arrival.
Monday morning, we weeded with Demby in preparation… Read More
Written by Cat and Henry, this Italy Greece Panta Rei Rome update covers earth wall building at Centro Panta Rei, a guided tour of the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, and the group’s anticipation for Florence.
We spent this week at Centro Panta Rei. On Monday we embark by train towards Florence. We are all looking forward to being back in a city! We can’t wait to see and walk around… Read More
Written by Kate Sandoval, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year Canary Islands student, this reflection covers whale watching with Biosean, marine biology diving with See You Diving, and life in Las Galletas, Tenerife.
Arriving on a beautiful Sunday afternoon (beautiful by the Seattle Washington definition), I settled in the small apartments in Las Rosas to meet my first roommate, Vanessa. Daniela and Misael of Biosean allowed me a couple days of downtime… Read More
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
