First Week in NZ!

carpediem South Pacific- HONGI
Its been a fun-filled weekend of getting to know each other in the beautiful recovering city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Among recovering from jet-lag, we’ve successfully cooked 2 breakfasts, lunch and a family dinner in our hostel kitchen and had a blast while doing it! Right down the street is the beautiful Botanical Gardens, Canterbury Museum and the innovative Re-Start Shopping Centre made solely of colourful shipping containers! Saturday we… Read More

Orientation Complete!

carpediem East Africa- NKULA
Hi friends and family of the Nkula crew, I’ve heard from the Overseas Educators that orientation in Entebbe was fantastic! All of the students have been getting to learn a lot about each other as well as spend time discovering the sights and sounds of Uganda. They have so far spent time at their backpacker’s hostel learning about the program, about cultural “do’s and don’ts,” creating group agreements, and playing… Read More

In Delhi

carpediem India- SHIVA
(From Elana O) Yes, there are 3 lanes on this road; yes, there are 5 rows of cars overlapping those lanes. The first car ride we took from the airport was exhilarating. As a relatively new driver in the states, I am used to expressing overly cautioned behavior on the road. Here, as I stepped out of my first vehicle in India, I was shaken from the reckless driving… and… Read More

Shiva: Safe in Delhi!

carpediem India- SHIVA
The Shiva crew just gave word that they are safely in Delhi and settling in to their orientation hostel! The crew is sleepy after the long journey, but still smiling and excited. They had a great time on their layover in Hong Kong and are ready to start exploring India. Stay tuned for more over the coming days…… Read More

SHANTI: Safe in Delhi

carpediem India- SHANTI
The Shanti Crew has made it to Delhi! After many hours in the air and an adventurous layover in Hong Kong, we got word that the Shanti crew has safely landed in Delhi. They are on their way to get some much needed rest before diving in to orientation tomorrow. Despite being sleepy, everyone seems enthusiastic and excited and we can’t wait to hear more adventures soon!… Read More

Together in Amsterdam

carpediem East Africa- NKULA
We’ve just received word from Mary and Adam that the entire Nkula crew is now together in Amsterdam! They are a little sleepy after their trans-Atlantic journey, but excited to be all together and about to board their plane to Uganda. Stay posted for more over the coming days as they dive into their East African adventures.… Read More

On the way to Hong Kong…

carpediem India- SHIVA
Good evening family and “fans” of the Fall 2016 Shiva crew! We just received word that all of the students have successfully met up with Jon and Anya in the San Francisco airport and are waiting to board their flight on to Hong Kong, and then off to India. Based on the pictures it looks like they are having a blast already, and we wish them smooth travels. Stay tuned… Read More

And They’re Off!

carpediem India- SHANTI
Good evening friends and “fans” of the Fall 2016 Shanti crew! We are happy to report that our North American students have successfully met up with Chris and Kate in the San Francisco airport and just passed through security now. They are all excited for this next leg of the journey to Hong Kong and then on to Delhi where they will meet their final group member and begin their… Read More

And They’re Off!

carpediem Southeast Asia- SABAI
Good evening family and friends of the Fall 2016 Southeast Asia groups! We are happy to report that all of the Sabai students have met up with Sheldon and Dianne in the San Francisco airport. Their flight for Honk Kong is on time and everyone is excited for this next leg of the journey! Stay tuned throughout these travel days and we wish them a smooth flight on their way… Read More

And they’re off!

carpediem South Pacific- HONGI
The Hongoi Group has officially come together at last…after traveling far and wide from all around North America. They are together as a group for the first time! They are checked in for their flight to New Zealand and are getting ready to head through security and begin their journey together. Everyone is excited, and happy to finally meet one another. We wish them much learning, laughter, joy and adventure… Read More

Ready, Set, Go!

carpediem South Pacific- WALKABOUT
The Walkabout Group has officially come together at last…after traveling far and wide from all around North America. They are together as a group for the first time! They are checked in for their flight to New Zealand and are getting ready to head through security and begin their journey together. Everyone is excited, and happy to finally meet one another. We wish them much learning, laughter, joy and adventure… Read More

San Francisco to Amsterdam

carpediem East Africa- NKULA
Good afternoon families and fans of the Fall 2016 Nkula group! The first half of the Nkula group has successfully reunited in the San Fran airport and is currently boarding their plane for Amsterdam. Everyone is in good spirits, and excited to meet the remaining five students in Amsterdam before heading on to Uganda. Stay tuned for more updates and we wish them smooth journeys! Avy & the Carpe Diem… Read More

Packing Our Bags

carpediem India- SHANTI
Namaste Shanti Crew and all who will be following and supporting us on this journey! We are so excited to be writing this introductory blog, less than a week before we will all be meeting up at the airport in San Francisco to head to the other side of the world. Although the students will be taking on the majority of sharing our experience here, you will be hearing from… Read More

The Daintree Forest

carpediem South Pacific- WALKABOUT
The past week has been full of exotic jungle and inspiration. We also bid farewell to Junior, as he had to jet off to meet the Pope in Rome. Despite our dwindling numbers-there are now only two students- we were kept in good spirits by the incredible people we encountered. Our week in the Daintree began with meeting John Rumney, a major contributing force in protecting the Great Barrier Reef,… Read More

SCUBA in the Great Barrier Reef

carpediem South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef: it’s on everyone’s bucket list, and something we were lucky enough to do this week. Five days ago we met our scuba instructor, Louis, at Cairns Dive Center., and began our training. We spent two days alternating from the pool and the classroom, learning cool hand signals and blowing bubbles. We tested our skills in the shallow and deep end of the pool… Read More