Sawadee kaaaa!

Archive Latitudes Year
I’ve spent the last month and a half volunteering at the Children’s Organization of Southeast Asia (COSA), located in the province of Mae Rim, just outside the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. COSA is an amazing organization dedicated to the prevention of human trafficking in the northern regions of the country. I’m living at the Baan Yuu Suk Shelter, which houses twenty sexually exploited, abused, or at-risk girls. As a… Read More

Helmets, Healing and Humility

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
After spending the week repelling, climbing and paddling our way through the mountains, forests and waters of the North Island, I am confident that I am speaking on behalf of the group when I say that we have all felt the minor physical repercussions of our unsure footing, busy arms, and in my case, apparent aversion to staying on the bike path. In our valiant (and successful) attempts to keep… Read More

Week One in Arequipa comes to a close

Archive South America- INTI
Happy Palm Sunday! It´s so hard to believe it has already been a week since we´ve arrived in Arequipa. Week days (for me at least) were spent painting walls with Phil, Jacky, Austin and Joseph at the little girls´orphanage, followed by evenings in the absolutely stunning Plaza de Armas. Its beauty still moves me each time I march off the bus and up to the square, bordered by age old… Read More

Sweat City in Leon.

Archive Central America- MAYA
  Dariana Language School has taught our group that Spanish classes in temperatures above 94 degrees are still bearable. We came closer to the burning sun by standing on the top of the biggest catedral in Central America, Catedral de Leon. If you can not stand the heat, get out of Leon – and head to the beach ASAP.            … Read More

They tried to make me go to rehab…

Archive India- SHIVA
Leaving the humidity of Kolkata behind us, we found ourselves amidst the misty mountains of the beautiful Gangtok this week. Sikkim, of the Northeast corner of India, is like nothing we have experienced in this country yet– in fact, it’s often hard to believe we are still in India. Bordered by China, Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet, and comprised of many Tibetan and Nepali people, the hussle and bussle of the… Read More

Our Time in Rwanda

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
We arrived in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday to begin our stay here for only 3 nights! Our time in Rwanda has been filled with sadness, but also hope, determination, and of course some fun. Throughout our time here we visited the genocide memorial museum which gave us great insight into the horrific period of 1994. We also visited Nyamata church, this is a church where thousands and thousands of Rwandans… Read More

Leon!

Archive Central America- MAYA
    The group is off to a successful country transition. Here we are at the largest cathedral in Central America and enjoying learning in our Spanish classes through Dariana Language School! Turn your head sideways to get the real perspective 😉 … Read More

Ayubowan from Sri Lanka!

Archive Latitudes Year
Kaila here, writing from Millennium Elephant Foundation on the beautiful, tropical island of Sri Lanka! It took a few days but I did adapt to the thick humid heat, and have since enjoyed every second of my time here! I have been here for just over a month now, with another Carpe Diem student, Brooklynn. As Brooklynn’s blog covered most of the basics, with us there are usually 15 other… Read More

Carpe Diem in Rio Muchacho

Archive South America- INTI
Before arriving yesterday in Arequipa, Carpe Diem had been in Rio Muchacho for the last week. Rio Muchacho is an organic farm situated 10 kilometers outside of Canoa, a surfing town. After a day chilling on the beach, we bused into Rio Muchacho, needing to cross 2 rivers to do so. Rio Muchacho is self sustainable and dedicated to environmentalism in every possible way. A few examples: the toilets feed… Read More

The last two weeks!

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
Apologies for the lack of blog updates we have been having some internet issues. Almost two weeks ago now we arrived in Mufindi after multiple long yet enjoyable bus rides to start our week working at the children’s village. To begin with we were divided into three groups with each group alternating between working in daycare, kindergarten and the sowing school during the week. On Saturday, we had the surprisingly… Read More

Farm Life…

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
This evening we arrived at the Verdonk Family Farm. We were welcomed with an amazing view of the rolling hills and a very cozy house to stay in. We met our contacts Anne, Tom, Sam, Roxy, Malcom, Nana, Shielah, and Bob. Everyone was so friendly and nice, they made us feel at home. Our first dinner was made for us and consited of; juicy burgers; fat sausages; zesty salad; broiled… Read More

Goodbye Figi, Hello New Zealand!

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
hello all, Maddie here. So what an adventure we have had so far. Everything has been amazing. We just left the Village of Nananu a couple days ago and it is crazy to go from village life to big time Auckland City. I think everyone was happy to move on from the village to our new spot. It was sad to say goodbye to the village but they will always… Read More

Photos and update from Madison in Senegal!

Archive Latitudes Year
  As my trip is tipping toward the half way mark, Im amazed by how quickly time has passed. In the last month and a half I have met people and have had experiences that will have a lasting effect on my life. Im continually attempting to make sense of the passed events I have witnessed while volunteering with Maison de la Gare. Ive come to the realization that it… Read More

Hola from Cali, Colombia! Que mas?

Archive Latitudes Year
As I write this, I am sitting on my terrace enjoying the humming of birds and the thick jungle that surrounds the property. Can life get much better?! I have now been living here for a little bit more than a month, and can honestly say it’s been one of the most (if not THE) most profound, beautiful and transformative experiences of my life. It seems with every day that… Read More

“Primo Ultimo Settimattina”

Archive Latitudes Year
As the week later became sunny, the snow ceased to fall and the weekend approached for much needed to rest from taking in the rapid immersion of the Italian culture, language, new duties at my placement, finishing a number of bicycle tour projects, the jet lag and making myself at home. I looked forward to getting some extra sleep. Or so I thought. (Little did I know I was going… Read More