Written by Fiona, Overseas Educator on the Hawaii semester, this aloha spirit farewell reflects on what students sought from the island and what they bring home after 10 weeks of living, learning, and growing in Hawaii.
What did you ask of the island?
You asked to explore, both “the outdoors” and within.
You asked not just to see the world, but to be folded up with the mountains and oceans… Read More
Written by Leora Wasserman, a 2022-23 Latitudes Year South Africa student, this reflection covers community development work with Dreamcatcher, wildlife care at Wild Rescue, and life with two homestay families in Melkhoutfontein.
My experience this semester in South Africa gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge, go on adventures, experience challenge, and create connections and memories to last a lifetime!
I began my journey in Johannesburg, with Tefo and Lucas,… Read More
Written by Kayla, Emma, Nick, and Jaidan, this Hawaii semester closing week recap covers their final days together, from Volcano National Park and taro restoration to hammocks, movie nights, and farewell hugs at the airport.
In the past two weeks we got to enjoy our last few moments as a group.
We have gotten the chance to work with a local native Hawaiian named Alohi. She talked about her Kalo… Read More
Written by Abby, Overseas Educator on the Central America semester, this farewell post recaps 10 unforgettable weeks across Guatemala and Costa Rica with the Spring 2023 group.
Our semester has officially come to a close! You all are either back home or continuing your travels in Costa Rica. We said goodbye on Wednesday morning with tears in our eyes. Matt and I tried to set you free at the security… Read More
Written by Tai and Henry, this Italy Greece semester Aegina update covers their final week of student directed travel, from the Temple of Apollo and Moni Island to the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium.
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… Read More
Written by Izzy and April, this Costa Rica scuba Drake Bay recap covers their final week on the Osa Peninsula, from open water certification and shark encounters to wildlife in Corcovado National Park.
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.… 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 Izzy and Olivia, this Hawaii semester Milolii community update covers a week of cultural immersion, local connections, snorkeling, and a memorable farewell dinner with the village.
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… Read More
Written by Addie and Dylan, this Costa Rica Mastatal volunteer update covers their first week at Villas Mastatal, from banana planting and trail clearing to a chocolate tour and waterfall swims.
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… Read More
Written by Justin and Léa, this Guatemala student directed travel recap covers Hobbitenango, a Pacaya Volcano hike, black sand beaches in Monterrico, and a sunrise mangrove tour on their final week in Guatemala.
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… 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
