TESTIMONIALS
Dear Ethan, Nannette, Amy and Adam,
As Paul's parents, we really want to let you know how pleased, thrilled and sincerely thankful we are, to all of you. We can see that he had an amazing experience. The first evening home, he kept us on the edge of our seats, til 4:00 am, running through all of his adventures and stories! As one who was fortunate to have an opportunity to see some of the world many years ago, I truly understand the benefit that your Carpe Diem programs offer. And today I can 'pat myself on my back' for finding your website through the connection at Leap Now, and being able to provide Paul this opportunity. Your professionalism, package details and information before and during the journey are outstanding! Especially in Marnie's case, we were always put at ease, by your excellent communications. For weeks I searched through many international gap programs. The majority come out of England, where they have a lengthy experience in such travels. But I soon realized that we found a true gem of an organization, in Carpe Diem.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to Amy and Adam. I can only imagine the challenges you face when throwing 8 different young adults together in many stressful, small spaces, for three months! Paul will forever benefit from your guidance during the inevitable highs and lows experienced by the FANZ team. I know that my quiet, sensitive, athletic son has gained an inner confidence, a further appreciation of what we have here at home, and a life-long zest for travel......thanks to you two!!
Yes, we expect some Re-entry difficulties, even yours truly, who 'followed' Paul around on various websites, Google Earth maps and his excellent descriptive emails! Again thanks to you, we have some preparation and are ready.
I believe Paul was most touched by his homestay in Fiji, and is most proud of the team's work on painting the village school. He still is in cloud nine when trying to describe the Milford Sound and Great Barrier reef diving adventures, both of which, have been on my 'bucket list' for many years.
For Marnie, Paul and myself, thankyou so much to all of you! Ethan, your group is truly the best out there! You can be proud of your Carpe Diem organization. I am so envious of how rewarding your careers can be!
Sincerely
Grant and Marnie Hoflinger, parents of Spring 2008 FANZ student
Hello Nannette - thank you so much for this!! What a great idea... it only enahnces my original estimation of what an amazing organisation you are... you have thought of everything! Danielle is not the first to fly our nest so we are probably a little more seasoned than some parents however your thoughtfulness in the preparation of this trip has made everything run very smoothly for her and has given us confidence that she will be OK.
Judging by Danielle's blogs she is having the time of her life and seemingly taking on the challenges as they are presented to her... I know they are still in the honeymoon part of their journey but we feel confident that she will only grow from her experiences in CAM, and we feel good in knowing that she will be encouraged to endure in times of challenges as well as embrace the amazingness of it all. What a great opportunity...
I have, and will gladly continue to, recommend your organisation to other parents with adventurous children!
Thank you!
Christine Gabb, mother of Spring 2008 CAM student
I always go to Publix to get my meat and groceries at home... Well, on Friday, I helped kill and butcher a cow before purchasing an entire beef tenderloin for 100 Q, or 13 dollars. When the cow arrived, it was hog-tied, but still mooing. With one jab to the jugular, it started to lose blood in massive amounts. I pushed on its stomach to squeeze out the remaining blood as it took its last breathes. I held its legs while it was skinned and became food for the pueblo of San Andres. When I left, the cow was completely butchered, my feet bloody and I walked up the hill with a bag full of warm beef tenderloin as a gift to my homestay family. Maybe it's a bit strange that it felt exhilarating, but I find it important to understand and see the process of where our food comes from. I'm thankful for that cows life and the experience to share its last moments before it became dinner. Sacrifice has always been crucial to the world and coming closer to it gives me a stronger connection to life.
Testimonial from Spring '08 Student in Guatemala on CAM Program
Thank you Ethan,
I can't express how delighted we are to have Amelia back, safe and sound!
But I am writing to you to express my appreciation for the positive impact this Carpe Diem Trip had on Amelia's life. When she arrived last night, she exclaimed "Mom, you've got to tell everyone about Carpe Diem, it was so amazing."
Which I will do!
I also want to communicate my gratitude regarding Heather and Marshall's (aka Papa's) skilled leadership. They were so encouraging, warm, and solidly there for the group while not being domineering or authoritarian. They nurtured her through tough times, spread joy and made her laugh, and also gave her the chance to grow. She returned with great confidence in herself as a traveler. Being around Marshall and Heather was one of the highlights of the trip.
Muchisimas Gracias,
Testimonial from Spring '08 CAM parent
Dear Ethan,
Im going away today for two months to start work at a summer camp in Morgantown, WV. I went to the camp for 5 years and i actually was offered a job there this summer so i am going to be out of contact for a while. The reason that i am writing you this email is to tell you about Babs and Drew, my coleaders from my semester. I just had the best three months of my life in the south pacific. I wanted to let you know that Andrew and Barbara were the best leaders that i could have asked for. They were extremely supportive, always a riot, and provided me with the kind of leadership and organization to make a trip like that run smoothly. I mean it is hard to put it into words how much they meant to me on the trip. I mean they were totally awesome. I love them to death. I'm not sure how much feedback you receive from students about their previous leaders, but i felt obligated to let you know how amazing they were. They were super organized and other than a couple of incidents, which i wont get into because it isnt very important in the grand scheme of my email, they were extremely diligent about budgeting and staying on top of everyone's needs. They always put our group before themselves and ALWAYS went out of their way to take us to much needed doctor's appointments and if personal issues needed to be resolved. They made it very clear the guidelines of the trip and they left the decision up to us whether to abide by the rules and regulations. They didn't tell us what we can and cant do, they simply left all the decision making and responsibilites up to us. This made the environment of the group and the whole trip go very well. There was NO drama among our group which was extremely pleasant. All the work and the people that we met along the way were extremely nice and they all treated us soo well. I could just tell that Andrew and Babs loved us and would do anything for us. It was really sad seeing them leave the airport and probably won't see them again for a while if ever. I took so many pictures and i tell EVERYONE about my trip. The trip was life changing for me and i want to thank you for everything. Id also really like to thank you for picking the two best leaders possible. I could go on and on and on and on about how great the trip and everyone was on the trip, but again i just want to let you know that i am soo thankful for everything. Well you enjoy your summer and I look forward to keeping in touch. Thank you again, Ethan.
T.N. from the FANZ Semester, Spring, 2007
They call me Brianala. La is a form of respect. The first two Tibetan words I've learned are Amala and Pala, which mean of course mom and dad. My host family consists of a young mother and father and a two-year-old girl (and god help me if I have a child like her).
The house is no larger than 10 x 10 x 10. Seeing as there is only one room, I share a room with the entire family. We all sleep together and the Father snores like crazy! The "bathroom" is quite a hike...up three flights of stairs. The "bathroom" is shared between the 12 other families living in the area. The distance from town is more than I had expected, probably a 30 minute walk.
My family speaks a little English but if they aren't talking to me they speak Tibetan.
Today I shared a stairwell with two girls as we scampered out of the way of a cow on a mission.
I started taking Tibetan language classes from my pala and the first night he assigned me homework to memorize the whole 30 letter alphabets symbols and pronunciation...haha I think it would take me a month to really do that!
Okay so another fun story. My first bucket shower...who would think something seeming so easy would turn out to be such a disaster? I lugged my bucket of water up the three flights of stairs in a drizzling rain to the communal bathroom. I suppose bathroom is not the correct word to portray the scene accurately. I lugged my bucket of water up three flights of stairs in the drizzling rain to the 2 x 3 foot grimy stall where I would attempt to wash myself. I undressed but could find no place to put my clothing. I settled for wedging them in the crack in the door. I scooped out a cup of water and poured it over my head...OUCH!! Big mistake, the water is extremely hot! What can I do now? I decided to stand around and wait for the water to cool. After about 2 minutes, I realized that this would not be an option because a line for the shower had begun to form. Hurriedly, I began to wet myself with the scalding hot water. In my hurry of washing myself, I somehow managed to stick my foot in the bucket and tip the rest of my water over...what to do, what to do? There I was standing with soapsuds all over, shivering from extreme temperature change with no rinsing water, a line waiting to use the stall and not a single idea to resolve my situation. I settled by using the remaining drips of water and my towel to remove the soap. Reluctantly, I dressed myself and returned downstairs completely unsatisfied with my first bucket shower.
When I re-entered the room, the family was watching George Bush give a speech. My pala looked at me and said "Mr. Bush good president no?" I said "NO! Do you like him?" He said, "My friend like him so yes I like...why no you like?" I briefly replied about big business, war, and the environment and watched his opinion change quite easily.
I've drunken more chai tea this past week than in a whole winter at home. During my Tibetan language class we were served chai. Every morning when I wake up I'm served chai. The merchants on the street push chai at me. When I go into a store, I am handed chai while walking around. Then accompanying dinner is always a tall glass of steaming chai.
My Tibetan language class was great! (I decided to study Tibetan instead of Hindi since my pala is teaching me Tibetan...I would be a bundle of confusion if I were trying to learn both languages at once). I was slightly distracted by the teachers side-to-side constant head wobble (a very common movement among Indians) but was still able to pick up quite a few sentences, which will come in handy.
Tashi Delek = Hello
Ngae ming la Briana yin = my name is briana
kherang ghi tsen la gharae shu ghi yoe = What is your name?
Dear Ethan,
It's been quiet a few weeks since I got home from South America and I'm finally having a moment to write to you. You gave me a generous scholarship and I could not have gone without it. When I look back on the trip, I feel so lucky. Not everyone gets to go on the trip of their dreams when they are 18 and still exploring this world. South America changed me in more ways than I can articulate, or know. Everyday I think of it and notice the mark it left on me. I also think I could not have hand better leaders than Lannie and Adam. I just want you to know that by helping me financially, you helped to change my life - you, in part, gave me the opportunity to learn about and CHANGE who I am, how I define myself, the way I view this world. I do not think I could describe my gratitude in any amount of words. So, please know that you do much for others.
Thank you for everything, Kelly Stewart