Written by Central America Overseas Educators, Jasmin & Malcolm

Hola chiques!

We hope everyone is getting as excited for the semester as we are! We’re here in Portland, Oregon at Carpe Diem Headquarters reviewing our program itinerary, policies, curriculum, and more to fully prepare for our time together. This being the first time we’ll lead a trip together, we’ve also been getting to know each other and learned some fun and interesting things! Here are a few that may interest you:

Fun facts about Malcolm:

He was a coxswain for his high school crew team.

Malcolm is a big fan of reading and enjoys sci-fi, fantasy, and all types of fiction.

His favorite food is sushi.

Fun facts about Jasmin:

Jasmin is a nomad and has been leading trips and solo traveling for years, for a wide variety of programs and groups.

She is fluent in Spanish and is working on her French.

She had never been camping before college but now does it professionally!

As we discussed our lives and shared our stories with each other, we also talked about our upcoming trip and how we’ve prepared for the coming weeks in Central America. We’ve been brainstorming a few things that we think might be helpful to consider as you prepare:

Malcolm’s Tips:

Lay everything out that you plan on packing and double check that you actually need/want everything, and that you have enough of each item like socks and underwear.

Leave space in your bags for souvenirs and clothes that you might get along the way.

Eat your favorite foods that might not be as common in Central America.

Jasmin’s tips:

Don’t forget that you can buy things you need when you arrive or as you need them, like shampoo, toothpaste, an extra T-shirt, etc. Don’t overpack things that are easily purchased later on!

Bring clothes that you don’t care so much about- things can get lost, dirty, stained, or mixed up when we send out our laundry to be cleaned. It helps to bring things that are easily replaced and that you aren’t emotionally attached to.

Take some time to reflect on what you want to get out of the semester and to relax before leaving. There’s a lot going on in terms of preparations, paperwork to fill out, and things to wrap up prior to leaving but don’t forget to take some time for yourself!

We’re looking forward to meeting you via Zoom on the 16th, and to chat with each of you one on one before we take off! As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!

Saludos, y nos vemos pronto,

Jasmin & Malcolm