Written by Italy & Greece Semester Students, Tai and Henry After leaving our final permaculture community Re-green, we began our final week of student-directed travel. We arrived by ferry to Aegina an island to the south of Athens. We visited the archaeological museum and site of Kolona (which has the Temple of Apollo), relaxed on the beach, rented bikes, and explored town. While on the island, we experienced stunning sunsets,… Read More
Written by Central America Semester Students, Izzy & April For our final week, we got to spend our time on the beautiful peninsula of Osa, in a small area called Drake Bay. We got to experience the once in a lifetime opportunity to get scuba certified. After one day of training in the pool, we went straight to the real thing.
We went deep under the sea, getting to swim… Read More
Written by Italy & Greece Semester Students, Cat and Naomi This past week, we were at a permaculture community in the mountains of the Peloponnese peninsula. We participated in everyday activities such as morning movement, a morning meeting, and a drum circle. We did a main activity for most of the day. We helped prep and plant their gardens. We made a compost pile as tall as us. Hiked to… Read More
Written by Hawaii Students, Izzy and Olivia This past week we had the opportunity to spend time learning about the culture and community of Miloli’i. We met many different people throughout the community such as Wes and Bobo, Auntie Lynda, Auntie Laila, Uncle Ted, and Uncle Ka’imi. We also met a lot of the kids who live in the community as well. Our Top Three Highlights of the Week: This… Read More
Written by Central America Students, Addie and Dylan Our first week in Costa Rica!!
After leaving our beloved Guatemala behind and heading to the airport, unexpected delays forced us to change flights and pass through El Salvador on our way to Costa Rica! A fun little surprise in more ways than one. We ended up arriving in Costa Rica before our original flight was supposed to take off.
The next… Read More
Written by Central America Students, Justin and Léa Student directed travel week, WOO WOO! Justin and Lea reporting to you live!
We started off in Antigua, visited the magical Hobbitenango, a Hobbit themed attraction park. We got to practice our archery, axe-throwing, and mini golf skills while embracing the beautiful scenery of Guatemala. After Hobbitenango, we hiked up the Pacaya Volcano with the wonderful company of horses, and got to… Read More
Written by Chance Sands, 2022-23 Latitudes Student Chance is volunteering at Give and Surf in Bocas Del Toro, Panama It has been such an amazing experience. I have created long lasting friendships with my fellow volunteers and all of the teachers and students. I’ve also made so many memories, whether that be surfing, exploring, or my work at school.
What has been challenging this semester?
Definitely the language barrier. Although… Read More
Written by Abby McGullam, 2022-23 Latitudes Student My semester in South Africa has been a seedbed for personal, cultural, and experiential growth. My program with the nonprofit organization Dreamcatcher South Africa has been well-tailored to my interests, as well as my personal skills, ensuring that my impact in the township of Melkhoutfontein is a passionate and maximized one.
Before truly immersing myself, I learned about the heartbreaking apartheid history of… Read More
Written by Gabrielle D. Bennett, 2022-23 Latitudes Student My experiences in the small town of Comalapa have been nothing but incredible. Arriving in Comalapa, I stayed with a local family known for their art. One of my favorite things was walking through the pueblo and spotting different murals done by different family members. My favorite day to go into town is Sunday because of the markets. At the market, you… Read More
Written by Sam Stiles 2022-23 Latitudes Student Sawasdee everyone! My experience in Koh Tao has been enriching in many ways. It is a privilege to be a part of the vital work that New Heaven’s Reef Conservation Program does here. I am so glad to get the experience of protecting the ocean while using my passion for diving! I have also gotten the incredible opportunity to do my training to… Read More
Written by Danica Wolf, 2022-23 Latitudes Student Would you believe me if I told you my biggest fear was the ocean? When I signed up for the fall 2022 semester in Southeast Asia, I was not excited about getting my open water certification because I had been terrified of the ocean for years. However, after completing the certification, I found myself utterly calm diving. In fact, I felt more fear… Read More
Written by Soumya, Southeast Asia Overseas Educator
In collaboration with our non-profit partner Carpe Mundi I’m sitting in the sweltering heat at a cafe along one of Chiang Mai’s quiet streets, noticeably still after all of the Songkran festivities and more recently, the departure of our very own Pon Lue crew. By the time you read this, you will likely be in your own beds in Portland, eyes gazing blankly… Read More
Written by Italy & Greece Semester Students, Cat & Laura This week we ended our stay in Crete and said goodbye to Xeno and Marcos. We hope to see them again in Athens at the end of our trip. We were sad to leave the beautiful community within the village but we bid our fair wells and headed off to Athens for the next couple of days.
We arrived at… Read More
Written by Italy & Greece Semester Students, Jonah & Aiden This week, we left Italy and made our way to Crete, Greece! After a long day of planes, trains, and automobiles, we met our host, Xeno, in the airport and drove to Agios Ioannis, our village for the next 10 days.
We enjoyed an incredible dinner made by Christins, the owner of the taverna in the village, and went to… Read More
Written by Hawaii Students, Abby🦑 and Nicole🐡 Shortly after arriving to Hawai’i Island, we got a warm welcome from the Manta rays on our sunset snorkel adventure. Some Mantas even brushed up against us while feeding on the plankton under the board! The next few days we are free to explore Kona Town or stay in and relax while at our hostel. After five days, we drive south to Miloli’i,… Read More
Written by Central America Students, Iris and Menna This week was our second full week in San Juan, with preparations for Semana Santa in full swing! We started our second round of cultural classes, as well. On Thursday, we had a cultural potluck at our school, which meant we spent the entire morning learning to make “chuchitos,” a kind of small tamale. Our host families came in the afternoon to… Read More
Written by Italy & Greece Semester Students, Tai & Henry 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 sons, and multiple fluffy friends made us all feel like a part of the community and family. We spent nights in tents and slept in some very… Read More
Written by Hawaii Students, Abdulaziz & Nick 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 happy to have a bed and indoor showers again, after flying to the Big Island and staying at a hostel. The views are stunning… Read More
Written by Hawaii Students, Olivia & Emma 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 on the farm as well. The interns are really cool! Its so fun to learn from them and talk about all our different lives. Our Top … Read More
Written by Mateo Lombard, 2022-23 Latitudes Student 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 a huge Vegan Festival that took place over three days. Guests were able to camp out and enjoy many workshops and free meals… Read More
