Written by Ashlyn and Jonah, this Lake Atitlan permaculture program update covers a week of organic farming, forest hikes, waterfall swimming, and bamboo house living on the shores of Lake Atitlan.
We made it out of Xela! This week, we got to spend at Lake Atitlan learning about permaculture, hiking through the forest and farming.
OLake Atitlan Permaculture Program: Top 3 Highlights:
🥗 Great fresh food straight from the farm!… Read More
Written by Josie G. and Nolan S., this Daintree rainforest conservation volunteer update covers their final days at ClimateForce, a Mossman Gorge excursion, and arrival at the Hart Family Farm in New Zealand.
We continued our journey at ClimateForce, immersing ourselves in the magic that is the Daintree rainforest. We’ve been mixing our time with physical work for ClimateForce (weeding, fence making, beach cleanups and tending to their tree nursery),… Read More
Written by Lillybeth and Amery, this Italy Via Francigena trek update covers a week of walking through Tuscan hills, wine tasting, bread making with Luca, foraging with Claudia, and finishing in Siena.
Since the last blog post we have done and seen a LOT. It was the week of our trek so we started in Gambassi Terme where we met Luca, who showed us around his family’s bakery and taught… Read More
Written by Conrad I. and Mason E., this Italy Greece Florence Uffizi update covers a week of Renaissance art, a sustainable community garden, and authentic Italian food before heading to a chestnut farm in the mountains.
This week, we left Greece and travelled to Florence, Italy. We did a walking tour of the city, seeing the statue of David and other famous monuments across the city. We also visited the… Read More
Written by Sophie and Anna, this Guatemala homestay Spanish school update covers their second week at PLQ in Xela, living with local families and graduating with a Spanish speech, poem, or song.
This week we got to stay with local families in home stays, while still going to school at PLQ (Proyecto Lingüístico Quetzalteco)! We moved into our new homes on Sunday, and have been living with them for the… Read More
Written by Macey T. and Grace N., this Italy gap year farm Garfagnana update covers a week of chestnut harvesting, community cooking, waterfall swims, and fireside music at Paladini farm in the mountains.
For the last week, we’ve been at a farm called Paladini in the mountains of Garfagnana. It’s a beautiful place and it was so nice to get back to nature after a busy week in Florence. There… Read More
Written by Treavor O. and Tasha B., this Great Barrier Reef scuba diving update covers three days of open water certification before joining ClimateForce to restore the Daintree rainforest.
With our instructors, Martin and Chad, we were able to get certified in scuba diving. We spent one day learning in a pool and two days scuba diving in the magical great barrier reef. After our tiring, but rewarding, three days,… Read More
Written by Malee G. and Josie B., this gap year Greece sustainable living update covers mud-building at CobGreece, a sunset at Meteora’s cliffside monasteries, and a stop at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi before heading to Florence.
We ended our stay in Athens and drove up to a sustainable living community near Larissa called CobGreece. During our stay, we learned about mud-building, foraging, and the process of pickling (so… Read More
Written by Shloimy G. and Leila B., this Guatemala Spanish immersion Xela update covers five hours of daily PLQ classes, karaoke in Quetzaltenango, and witnessing historic democracy protests up close.
Since our last update, we’ve traversed the Guatemalan Highlands, and have made it to Xela/Quetzaltenango (in separate transports of course due to our unfortunate little itty bitty Covid outbreak).
We’re staying in a hostel right near Parque Central, both the… Read More
Written by Sydney and Liam, this gap year Italy Florence update covers a week of urban garden volunteering, a guided city tour, and iconic art encounters at the Uffizi and Accademia.
We’ve been in Florence this week. Traveling into the city was a nice change of pace after being at Panta Rei for a week and a half. We volunteered twice an urban garden called Orti di Pinti. There we… Read More
Written by Talia M. and RJ L., this South Pacific Daintree rainforest update covers a week of wildlife encounters, conservation lessons, and off-grid living at Sheoak Ridge.
We spent last week at the lovely Sheoak Ridge in the Daintree rainforest. Hosted by Claire and Marcus, two passionate and accomplished conversationalists. We had some amazing wilderness experiences including cuddles with wallabies and educational nature walks.
What have been the three highlights… Read More
Written by Charlotte B. and Iris J., this gap year Greece Athens update follows the group from Crete to the city, covering Greek language lessons, pottery classes, and Minoan palace ruins.
After spending a week on the island of Crete, we said goodbye to our wonderful hosts and locals we met along the way. On Wednesday, our group landed in Athens, Greece, and had a chance to explore our city.… Read More
Written by Nate K. and Kora B., this Guatemala volunteer Long Way Home recap covers a week of community service, sustainable building, and cultural immersion in Comalapa.
Hey everyone, this is Nate and Kora talking and we can’t wait to share our recap from this past week!
Upon our arrival in Comalapa on the 24th, we started our adventures with a welcoming introduction from our amazing host, Omar. Having given… Read More
Written by Forrest, Overseas Educator on the South Pacific semester, this Australia arrival update covers the group’s unexpected Sydney stopover, SheOak Ridge orientation, and first wildlife encounters with Claire and Marcus.
On September 20th, thirteen strangers got on a plane with the intent of making their way to Cairns, Australia. After a 15 hour flight the group decided they liked Sydney so much that they’d stay there a little while.… Read More
Written by Ariana, Overseas Educator on the gap year Crete Greek culture week, this update covers the Meraki group’s immersion in Greek philosophy, traditional dance, and a visit to the palace of Knossos in Heraklion.
This week has been all about getting to know Greece and each other! In addition to Greek lessons, we’ve also learned about Ancient Greek philosophy and the Parthenon, and even mastered a few traditional Greek… Read More
Written by Megan and Mary, Overseas Educators on the Italy gap year Umbria orientation week, this update covers Terra 23’s first days at Panta Rei in the Italian countryside before heading to Florence.
Ciao! The Terra 23 group has been whisked away to the Italian countryside at the beautiful property of Panta Rei in Umbria. We’ve been knee-deep in orientation activities- fun games, learning about tools to build a healthy… Read More
Written by Jane and Malcolm, Overseas Educators leading Guatemala gap year orientation at Earthlodge near Antigua, this update covers the first few days of team building, cultural lessons, and a scavenger hunt before heading to Long Way Home in Comalapa.
Hola desde Guatemala!
We have had a fun whirlwind of a few days since arriving in Guatemala City early the morning of the 22nd.
We drove from the airport in… Read More
Written by Ariana, Overseas Educator on the gap year Greece Crete arrival week, this update introduces the Meraki group to mountain village life in Agios Ioannis.
Carpe Diem Meraki group has landed in Greece! Two flights, a car ride, and many snacks later we’ve finally arrived in Crete. We’re staying in the beautiful mountain village of Agios Ioannis, getting to know each other, and eating tons of delicious home cooked… Read More
Written by Kate Willoughby, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year Costa Rica wildlife student, this reflection covers three months of animal care, rainforest conservation, and independent travel at Kids Saving the Rainforest.
This semester I volunteered and worked at Kids Saving the Rainforest for 3 months in Costa Rica. Here, I worked in the animal sanctuary with their lovely animals and people that work here. I got the privilege to learn so… Read More
Written by Mariana, the Italy Greece semester farewell letter from Overseas Educators Mara and Ariana, celebrating 10 weeks across Italy and Greece with a group who made every location feel like home.
What a semester! 10 weeks, 2 countries, 13 locations, 7 local partner organizations, 4 puppies, and countless gelatos and cats later – we’ve finally reached the end.
Though the blog is traditionally written for your friends and family… Read More
