Plunging In

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
It is now our third day in Lautoka, our first stop of the semester. Our group all met in LAX without any issues and hit it off immediately, embracing our new family for the next two and a half months. We boarded, surprisingly, one of the largest two-story planes any of us had ever seen, and seated ourselves on the second floor, anticipating the endless journey across the Pacific that… Read More

Mud

Archive South America- INTI
On our last full day in Bahia we were taken to an island of mud! It was so much fun, but hard work too! We sank to our knees in it on some parts of the island. Saianada was such a nice place and it was sad to leave, but now we are chillin in Canoa until we go to Rio Muchacho Organic Farm this evening. I am so excited!… Read More

HOLA!!

Archive South America- INTI
Hola everyone! It’s Andy and I’m just chillin at a internet cafe in Canoa waiting for the trucks to come and take us to Rio Muchacho. So far the last few days have been AWESOME!! Yesterday especially because yesterday the whole group went mudding. That means we went to this little island that was just mud and we played around in it. Everyone had fun, I think, from the looks… Read More

India Scavengering

Archive India- SHANTI
Hello Friends and Family! After about 40 hours of travel through Hong Kong and then a surprise stop in Bangkok where we learned how to say hello and thank you in Thai we finally made it to Delhi late at night 2 days ago.  Everyone is healthy and happy and soaking up all the 5 senses in a big way.   Orientation is almost to a close as we head to… Read More

Salama! Greetings from Arusha!

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
The group arrived safe and sound in Arusha, Tanzania and has been thriving during orientation.  So far we’ve learned a few Swahili words, seen a giant Red-Crowned Crane walking around the hostel yard, explored Masaai markets, and learned to navigate Dala Dala’s and the streets of Arusha. Apologies for the delay in the blog post and for any lack of e-mails from students: unfortunately the internet cafes all seem to… Read More

I baht something today.

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Hi Mom, Dad, and Sina! It’s my second day in Chiang Mai and I love it here! The weather is pretty much like it is at home: hot and humid. The food is awesome and the people are really nice. We’ve been exploring around the city and in 5 days we’ll move in with our homestay families. I miss you. Love, Sonya… Read More

Greetings From Chiang Mai

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Hello family and friends! I am super happy to be in Thailand. The flight to get here was rough.  A 12 hour and 5 hour plane ride.  We had about 24 hours of travel but it was well worth it!  Chaing Mai reminds me of China Town but with BEAUTIFUL Buddhist temples on every other block. I can’t wait to explore the rest of the city! We start our Thai… Read More

Peanut butter fiji time

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Bula Bula from Annie, Dylan and Blair Just headed into town from the beach to get some Indian food, where we got ripped off. But it’s cool cause we got super cheap ice cream after. We’re having a great time and we’re excited to head to the Fijian village tomorrow to meet our home-stay families and show off our newly purchased sulus! Here’s a picture of us in the internet… Read More

Alex and Anna exploring

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
hello family and friends, this is Alex DiPaola and Anna Cleveland. Sawasdee (which is hello in Thai). We are on a scavenger hunt through Chiang Mai. We have only been here two days but so far the trip is great and we are having a great time. We are staying in a guest house here and will be there for the next five days, then we will be moving on… Read More

Coleman and Megan Kicking Ass in Partido de Busca

Archive South America- INTI
Buenos dias amigos! Somos Coleman y Megan en el cafe internet en Bahia de Caraquez 🙂 Quick update: We are kicking ass at the scavenger hunt and making many amigos in the calles de Bahia. We did have some difficulty typing @ though… Entonces, HASTA LUEGO POR QUE TENEMOS QUE HACER MAS COSAS DEL PARTIDO DE BUSCA 🙂 Apparently my files are too big to upload? That stinks! Ill email… Read More
Archive South America- INTI
After four flights, a six hour bus ride, and a total of 35 hours of travel we made it to Ecuador! It´s absolutely beautiful here. Saiananda is such a nice place to stay and everyone there is so kind. Our group is meshing so well already and were so happy to be here! They have a pet sloth at Saiananda. It´s hysterical to watch and a parrot bit my finger.… Read More

And they’re off!

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
Greta and Dan have just called to announce they’re through security at LAX and doing great.  Though they’re the last to fly the coup, they’re one of the best to depart!  The group is united, the crew looks excited and joyous, and above all, they all look like a great group of students. Let this journey commence with great auspiciousness and a resounding farewell. Yours in complete and total jealousy… Read More

exciting.

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Bula!Bula!Bula! hey everyone, its Frances, Ozzy, and Hayden. We are spending the day on a scavenger hunt in downtown Nadi. so far, we have visited a Hindu temple, the fresh produce market, and bought several sulus. We are having a great time in Fiji. Frances, Hayden, Ozzy… Read More

Party People Fiji

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT , , , ,
Bula Bula Bula; greetings from Liz and Mike. We are scavenging through downtown Nadi, and have come across the wonders that Fiji has to offer. Everybody is very welcoming and the town itself is quite inviting. We went to a hindu temple, where we saw of the most incredible artwork and were given a bit of a history lesson about the religion. We bought sulus, which is kind of like… Read More

BULA BULA!

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Hey Y’all!! Rita, Connie, and Sadie here. Writing to you in downtown Nadi (nandi).  Yesterday was our first full day in Fiji, arriving at 430am (Fiji time) while all of you, our friends and families, were enjoying a nice afternoon in the states. We have had some real great group bonding adventures along with getting to know our surroundings. We all have learned a new word BULA, which means hello,… Read More

Earthquake “near” Fiji

Archive South Pacific- HONGI, South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Just as a heads up to parents and vicarious adventurers out there – a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck about 300 miles off the SE coast of Fiji today.  The group is fine and there’s nothing to be concerned about for tsunamis nor their safety, but for those who are curious, check out the following link for information. http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/recent-earthquake-unrelated-2014/ Yours, Ethan Knight… Read More

Together at last

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
I just got a phone call from Avy and Nico and it’s true … certifiably and exuberantly, the group is united – every last one of them – at the Amsterdam airport for their last leg to Tanzania!  According to Avy, “everyone was just waiting exactly where they were supposed to be, and … well, we have a great group :-)”   Unfortunately, since they’re in Amsterdam, a photo is more… Read More

Om Shanti Om

Archive India- SHANTI
And it’s with great peace that this group appears to be departing.  Just look at these yoga poses!  It’s hard not to remember my own first journey to India … one that has had a lasting and profound impact on myself and the way I live in this world. I know this will prove to be an unforgettable experience for all of the Shanti group: May it be rich with… Read More

Hark, is that India I hear calling?

Archive India- SHIVA
Well, after some initial confusion, the group is united in San Francisco and looking … well, look for yourself.  I can’t tell if they’re just rabidly excited, or if they’ve had a fit of inspiration from Michael Jackson’s Thriller. In either case, this group looks great and they are ready to dive into Mama India!  May the journey bring enlightenment and a cure for whatever got them in this photo!… Read More