Written By Reilly

Our last days in Italy were slightly hectic but also meaningful and lots of fun. We arrived in Naples at night after a long bus ride, including an impromptu bus swap an hour in. Having skipped dinner, the group checked in to the hostel then walked to a one of the last open cafes and had very good cafe pizza. The multi-level city gave an ominous first impression as the graffitied apartments towered over us. It was for sure a change from Matera. During our time in Naples, we visited the beautiful ancient town Pompeii and had a free day where most of the group either got massages or manicures. The travel day to Greece was much easier. A few hours on two planes and we arrived in a beautiful village on Crete. It is very relaxing to settle down for a while and we are excited to explore the island!

What were three of the top highlights this week?:

Some highlights of this week includes staying with different Italian families in Matera. We had a delightful lunch and embraced the moment and conversations. We also had our stay in Naples as our last top in Italy we had tried the best pizza in Italy! Next we flew to Crete for our next journey of the trip!

What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:

The long travel days were the most significant challenge for the group, but we did a much better job than we would have a few weeks ago. The random bus swap confused everyone, but nobody complained and within 20 minutes we were on the road again. I would consider our travel day to Crete the smoothest we have had. We arrived at the airport and got through security quickly, and made it to our layover with no problems. Malcolm and Aisha did wonderful jobs driving us across Crete to the village.

What are you most grateful for this week?:

For the next week we have our stay in Greece, and a few birthdays as well like Sage’s and Reilly’s birthdays! We are being taught the language, food, culture. We also see many things like beaches, good views, and archaeological sites. I am looking forward to the awesome views blessed to us by this beautiful island, and everything that comes with it.

The post Ciao Ciao Italia appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written By Tala & Chloe

Since our last blog, we left Rome and made our way to the south of Matera. We spent the last 5 days in a monastery near the town of Altamura with the company B-Link. We got to learn a lot about this region’s Italian culture. Especially because we were joined by 3 local Italian students. We were given a tour of a 5th generation bread bakery. We also did workshops about sustainable living and about culture. On our last day, we had a tandem night joined by some other European students where we got to teach them some of our American culture as well.

What were three of the top highlights this week?:

Some highlights from this week were definitely getting to meet some local Italian students our age, learn from them, as well as make some new friends!

Another highlight was getting to play an Italian board game put together by those students to help teach us in a fun and engaging way.

The last highlight from our time with B-Link was getting to be apart of a fast fashion show put together by one of the Italian students. We were sent off in groups of 3 or 4 to dress up one model from our group and have them strut down a catwalk to show us all the power of fashion!

What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:

Something our group struggled with this week was definitely sickness. Our group has struggled with this on and off from the beginning but this week was one of the hardest. We were all able to push through with the best attitude possible, but there were some challenging moments for sure.

What are you most grateful for this week?:

Something the group is looking forward to is spending time in Naples and exploring the city of Pompeii. We are also very excited to spend the other half of our trip in Greece. Italy brought us through an amazing and at times challenging journey. We can’t wait to see whats next!

The post Learning About Italian Culture appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written By Phineas and Sage

This week we were at Paldini! We picked chestnuts, learned how to build mud/clay houses, and went to a cool medieval town. We met super cool volunteers who were helping us do all the tasks.

What were three of the top highlights this week?:

The 3 top highlights are defiantly chestnut picking, having no phones, and being in nature. Chestnut picking was calming and super relaxing. Having no phones makes everything easier, and it’s super nice to disconnected sometimes. Lastly, being away from the fast moving cities, slowing down in nature, and being at peace in the woods made it a memorable week.

What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:

I think the group was challenge by the location we were at as we camped. Camping meant that some things got dirty. On the day days it rained, some people experienced some leaking tents. As we were cooking for ourselves this week, not everyone liked the food.

What are you most grateful for this week?:

What I’m most grateful for this week is the people at Paldini. They were so nice and welcoming! I feel like I really connected with them, even exchanging contact information at the end of the week! They were so chill, and some of the nicest people I’ve met. They really made my experience there way better.

The post Chestnuts, No Phones, and Nature! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written By Madeline and Ella

This week we traveled to Florence and spent our time at the Emerald Palace hostel in the center of Florence. On our first full day we got a tour from our trek guide, Lauren. She showed us around the local churches and taught us about the Medici family and the history of Florence. The group enjoyed our free time with shopping, trying new foods, and finding local gems.

What were three of the top highlights this week?:

Our top highlights was seeing famous works of art at the Ufizzi, seeing Michelangelo’s David, and climbing uphill to watch the sunset and see the entirety of Florence from up above.

What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:

Our group was challenged by the culture shock of moving from the super busy city of Florence to the Paladini campsite, where we went tech free and into sustainable living.

What are you most grateful for this week?:

Next week we travel to Rome! As a group, we are looking forward to getting back into the city to see the Colleseum, Trevi fountain, and live the Italian city life.

The post Exploring in Florence appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written By Eva & Ben

Since leaving Centro Panta Rei, we have embarked on a four day trek on the Via Francigena through Tuscany! We got to stay in small towns and the city of Siena. During the trek we had amazing views and beautiful scenery. We got to make bread, see a medieval village, learn about Italian plants, and explore the towns!

What were three of the top highlights this week?:

• We got to spend time in our first big cities of the trip and it was exciting to sightsee and do some shopping. As well as getting great food and gelato.
• On our last day of the trek we walked alongside the beautiful Elsa river. The water was so blue and vibrant, and there were parts where we stepped across the water on stones!
• Everyday we would walk to and stay in a new location which is a great way to see new places! Our accommodations ranged from an hotel in a bigger town, to an Abbey in a tiny roadside town with about four other buildings, to urban campsites with small cabins!

What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:

The trek was physically challenging for all of us. We went from staying at one place for a full week to walking everyday up to about 10 miles. The group did a great job, with a minimal amount of complaining and good energy through all the walking. Another challenge none of the group was very prepared for was packing and unpacking daily. It took some getting used to, but by the end, most of us knew where things fit best and could pack fairly fast.

What are you most grateful for this week?:

Next week is set to be amazing. The group gets to settle down in Florence, the first large city of the trip. We can’t wait to visit the Ufitzi, and are especially excited to see the Statue of David. Many have already been planning good dining spots and fun activities to do. Some are looking forward to relaxing by getting massages or manicures, if time allows. Others are ready to hit the gym and go on beautiful runs through Florence. Overall, next week is going to be a blast! The group can’t wait!

The post Via Francigena Trek! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Aidan & Sage

We have come a long way in our stay at Centro Panta Rei. We have learned a plethora of sustainable practices that have greatly impacted our perspective on how we as humans use the natural world, as well as participated in culturally significant activities such as noodle making, dough making, and partaking in the entire process of making olive oil. As well as extending our knowledge of Italian significantly, we have made friends in the community with our newfound communication skills.

What were three of the top highlights this week?:

One of the main highlights of this week was exploring the grand city of Perugia. We walked throughout the historic district, gazed upon 3000 year old building stones

What is something you or the group is challenged by this week?:

Something the group was challenged by was the mindfulness hike. The difficulty mostly came from the cold, but we were also told to walk while thinking more carefully about the sounds and environment around us and the action of walking itself. These instructions resonated with many people in the group, and several spoke afterwards about emotions or thoughts that had come about during their listening and deeper thinking.

What are you most grateful for this week?:

The group dynamic is amazing! We all mesh and have been bonding extremely well, and group synergy is also great!

The post Fostering Community and Reflecting appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

After a looong travel day from our various homes to JFK to Rome to our home for the first week of the program, Centro Panta Rei, we enjoyed our first delicious Italian dinner and collapsed in bed for a good night’s sleep. The next few days we split between our Carpe Diem orientation activities, aimed at bonding our group, establishing expectations, and laying the foundation for the program to come, and activities led by our partners at Centro Panta Rei. Those activities included a scavenger hunt around their sprawling property filled with gardens and eco-buildings, a handmade pasta lesson, and a stroll along Lake Trasimeno and through the town of Passignano. Our group began forming connections and building a strong community as we recovered from our jet lag and settled into the program. Our hosts and partners here at Centro Panta Rei have been amazing teachers and introduced us to many of the key themes and ideas for the program, as well as began our instruction in the Italian language and culture. You will hear more about our work and lessons at Panta Rei in the next blog!

The post Benvenuto in Italia appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Buongiorno and Kalimera from the Terra Fall 2025 OEs, Aisha and Malcolm!

We are passionate travelers, inspired educators and global citizens, excited to embark upon this adventure together with all of you!

Here are a few pro tips before we embark:

Pack layers, and consider comfort!

Keep an open mind, be ready to try new foods!

Learn how to say please, thank you and I’m sorry in the local language.

We are excited to eat delicious food and be welcomed into the local community with all of you!

The post Buongiorno and Kalimera Group Terra appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Maggie and Chelsea

Lovely students, what a wild and wonderful 70-day journey we’ve been on. You all have absolutely rocked it every second, and we cannot express how proud and honored we are to have spent the most precious resource we have together: our time. 

From meeting you at JFK, we traveled from Panta Rei where we bee-kept, bonded for the first time, drew our river of life, cooked pancakes for the residents, created our group agreements, did wood-burning, and got obliterated in soccer by Italians. 

On the Via-Francigena, we walked silently, made the yummiest bread chips, learned about healing plants, and, of course, saw St. Catherine’s head and thumb. 

In Florence, we learned to taste wine, climbed the Duomo, were floored by Michelangelo’s work, danced in the streets, and made lip balm, pesto, tea, and more with Giacomo. 

At Paladini, we did CHESTNUTS so hard, made a pizza oven, and got our hands dirty. We huddled in the rain, sang songs, learned drama, went on an epic hike, saw a mushroom festival, and learned about our leadership and goals.

In Rome, we scavenger hunted, explored the Colosseum, *made our dreams happen* and saw the wonderful Vatican and St. Peter Basilica. 

In Matera, we explored the Sassi, experienced the Casa Noha/ history of Matera, we learned about bread mills, our carbon footprint, and the festival of the trees. We made focaccia, chatted under the oaks, swam in the sea in Bari, and of course met the beautiful Giuseppe. 

In Naples, we had the best pizza, had many solo adventures, and took the cable car from Sorrento. 

On Crete we explored Minoan archeology with Carly, swam in the sea and saw so many fish, learned Greek with Manolise, and did Greek dancing and pottery. 

In Athens, we explored the Acropolis and Acropolis museum, loved the street art and flea markets, and rode so many rides at the fun park. 

In Aegina, we cycled across the island, went scuba diving, played Jeopardy, connected with Anna, and rested!

Finally, at Re-Green we learned so much about permaculture, made the best compost pile ever, did movement and drumming, and prepared for the sad ending we are now facing. 

You all brought so much life to every step of this program. Your positive energy has impacted so many people and places we met along the way. You should be very proud of how you showed up in each of these stops. 

We have learned so much from each of you. Each of you has such beautiful and unique gifts to offer.

A highlight has been seeing you all engage so well and dive into everything. You ask great questions, say yes to things even when they are outside of your comfort zone, and have opened your hearts to every soul we’ve encountered. It has been outstanding to watch. 

You all realized quickly the challenges of living in the community. What it means to share space, hurt each other unintentionally, be hurt, be silly, annoy each other, be loved, and make mistakes. You have learned how to express your hurt, have hard conversations, and come out stronger. You all care for each other so deeply, even if there is sibling-like annoyance at times. You have supported each other beautifully through every challenge, and you should all hold close to your hearts the knowledge that Carpe Fall ’24 is your family for life. 

Some ways that you all have grown this semester: realizing the world is so wide, other cultures have so much to learn from, that your sensitivity is your strength, that nature heals and reconnects, that you are capable of anything and resilient, that you can be flexible and adaptable, that sustainability is a way of life, and that you can sleep on moving vehicles.

As you move forward remember that this beautiful experience is only the beginning. Dive deeper into every single thing that piques your interest. Keep on traveling, exploring, and learning. This world is yours in every way. Keep on Shaking the Dust and making your dreams happen. 

And know that you can count on me like 1-2-3, you’ve got a friend, we’ve had the time of our lives, and we want to linger a little longer. 

Love, your OEs, Maggie and Chelsea

The post Terra ’24: A Wild and Wonderful 70-Day Adventure of Growth, Connection, and Discovery appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Izzy, Peter and Malcolm

What’s New in Our Journey?

After an amazing week of student-directed travel on Aegina, the group took a train two hours outside of Athens to Akrata. The week was spent at Re-Green, a permaculture community dedicated to the regeneration of Earth. Each day, the group participated in learning activities like garden bed prepping, composting, herbal talks, mushroom talks, and much more set up by the wonderful hosts, Debo, Kyle, Emily, and Nejma. Remembrance and reflection circles were held daily to cherish the past while preparing for the future. Each day, the group had an African drum circle and, on the final day, the whole community came for a performance followed by a pizza party.

Top Three Highlights of the Week

The group greatly enjoyed the company of the hosts and getting to know the volunteers staying at Re-Green. Getting to choose an activity like a herbal talk, mushroom talk, or habitat creation, the group was able to choose something that interested each person. Another highlight for the group was an African drum circle that the group participated in nightly and had a performance at the end.

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

While we enjoyed the packed schedule, one thing the group was challenged by was finding time to connect as a group. Our only true break time was siesta, and many people took that time to recharge and for self-care. That made it hard to plan and do activities together; however we made it work, and the last night at Re-Green we had a movie night and watched Surf’s-Up.

While we were challenged physically with finding time to spend together, a mental challenge was opening up to new ideas regarding permaculture while being at the end of our journey. Initially, it felt difficult to understand and open up to permaculture principles, however, the Re-Green team did an amazing job of making learning easy and fun. Over the week, the group was exposed to new ways of thinking regarding the regeneration of ecosystems and how to apply these principles in our daily lives.

Gratitude 

On behalf of the group, we are grateful for all of the Re-Green hosts this week. They accomplished a difficult task in making activities fun and engaging while understanding the group’s needs and tiredness at the end of our journey. The activities they provided, such as the morning movement and composing, are things that the group can implement in their daily lives, which is a plus. Overall, all of the hosts were super helpful and we could not be more grateful for their hospitality and their passion for educating us on how to be more cognizant of our environment.

Final Words

The group has grown and learned so much throughout this semester. Thank you to the OEs and local hosts for making our semester unforgettable. Goodbye and thank you from Carpe Diem Terra 24!

The post Our Final Stop at Re-Green in Akrata – Summing Up a Semester of Growth, Gratitude, and Unforgettable Memories appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Kyle Chang and Arianna Wilson

What’s New in Our Journey?

We have arrived on student-directed travel week! Since our last blog, we met as a group and decided on a location to travel to. Keeping the budget and all members of the group’s interests in mind, we settled on Aegina. Aegina had something for everyone- archaeological sites, hiking, beaches, scuba diving, and a small town to explore.

Top Three Highlights of the Week

The top three highlights of the week were scuba diving, biking to ancient ruins, and the mini Olympics we held at the beach. The scuba diving adventure was one of our favorites from the entire trip. To be able to see the earth from that perspective underwater in its rawest form was remarkable. Our day with e-bikes was another highlight. We biked across the island (around 30 km in total) to the Temple of Aphaia and the Church of St. Nectarios. Lastly, we had a mini Olympics, where we partnered off and competed in events ranging from three-legged races to a group volleyball game. It was difficult choosing just three highlights as it was a really great week on Aegina!

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

Contrary to other weeks where we had the location, accommodation, and parts of the itinerary planned out, we had to start from scratch this week. This posed a few challenges for us, like booking and planning our activities- especially keeping everyone in the group’s needs and interests in mind. This week the group was also challenged with adjusting from the fast-paced city of Athens to the slower island of Aegina. We were proud of the way the group overcame these challenges and grew from them.

Looking Ahead

Next week, the group is traveling to the mountains of Akrata, a town roughly two hours west of Athens. We are staying at Re-Green, an ecoculture center focused on sustainable living. We are excited to take this time to learn more about Green living and reflect on the past couple of months we have spent together.

The post From Athens to Aegina: Intention, Adventure, and Connection in Student-Directed Travel appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Student, Ally Hudsyn

What’s New in Our Journey?

Traveling to the city of Athens was an exciting adventure after exploring the peaceful towns in Crete. From the acropolis to hay markets there was plenty to explore. Walking on ancient ruins everywhere we went is an experience we will never forget.

Top Three Highlights of the Week

I think the most amazing thing we did this week was visit the Allou Fun Park in Athens! Getting to ride a Ferris wheel for a better view of the city was another beautiful perspective to experience.

Another moment I loved was being able to experience the Acropolis in real life after learning all about it in Crete.

It was good to have free time to make individual dreams happen too, so that everyone could accomplish their own beautiful moments.

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

Navigating a city is always hard. So many streets look the same with the usual tourist shops and Greek restaurants. We learned how to navigate the metro and make sure everyone could handle navigating around. It was a challenge but it was quickly concord by our amazing and talented group.

Looking Ahead

Next week is our student travel to Ageana! We are all excited about the new adventure that awaits. We will be hopping islands, scuba diving, and venturing on bikes! I am so grateful for the opportunity to explore so many places!

The post A Week in Athens: Ruins, Rides, and Unforgettable Highlights appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Peter, Izzy, and Ester

What’s New in Our Journey?

This week, the group was in Matera working with local contacts from Link and B-Link. We started our week in Matera, doing a scavenger hunt to learn about the ancient city, Sassi, and what makes Matera the European Capital of Culture. The next day, the group got to explore Altamura, the City of Bread, visiting a grain mill to view the process of grain becoming flour, a bakery to learn about the production process, and doing a scavenger hunt to explore the city. The following day was spent enjoying the Adriatic Sea and the beaches of Bari. The following two days were spent in the mountains where the group went on hikes and learned about the wedding of the trees that happens each year in Accettura.

Top Three Highlights of the Week:

The three top highlights of the week are (in no particular order):

1) The scavenger hunt around Matera and the Casa Noha video and experience.

2) The beach day in Bari and being able to get in the water and relax.

3) The walk to Accettura and being able to make tiramisu and pasta with local Nonni.

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

Something the group struggled with this week was being prepared for all the activities. As well as being timely for everything. Towards the end of the week, the group was able to be on time and fully prepared for the travel day and had a perfect transition to Naples!

Growth Since the Start of the Program:

For a lot of people in the group (including me), the biggest way that we’ve grown since the start of the program is adapting to whatever is thrown at us and keeping a positive outlook on it. Adapting to certain situations is a valuable skill and the program has allowed us to not only be in these situations but thrive in them.

Another way that we have grown is by adapting to the flow of Italian culture. I think that everyone has really embraced what Italy has to offer; and has pushed outside their comfort zone to be able to fully immerse themselves in this Italian environment.

The post From Ancient Streets to Adriatic Waves: Our Unforgettable Week in Matera appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Pepper Travers and Aidan Stier

What’s New in Our Journey?

Since we last wrote a blog post, we’ve been to Rome! We visited all the major sights: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Our hotel was a monastery very close to the Vatican, so just a short walk brought us to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Top Three Highlights of the Week:

One highlight from our time in Rome was our city tour on our first full day. We started at the Colosseum and ended with paninis in the piazza in front of the Pantheon.

We all cherished our time in the Vatican, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Another highlight was a scavenger hunt that kept us busy for a whole morning and gave us an opportunity to explore areas of Rome we hadn’t yet seen.

We also enjoyed a chapel and crypt that were ominously, yet beautifully, decorated with the bones and remains of Capuchin monks. And, of course, we bonded over lots of delicious pasta and gelato!

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

We were challenged by dealing with inconsistent buses in Rome. One even had a flat tire. Another challenge was trying to see all the sights in such a short amount of time. I do think we ended up doing pretty well in the end, though.

Looking Ahead:

As we depart Rome, we are looking forward to slowing down our pace in a smaller city. We are excited to see what the unique and historical city of Matera has in store for us.

The post Roaming Through Rome: Sights, Scavenger Hunts, and Sistine Moments appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Student, Hudsyn Toppenberg

What’s New in Our Journey?

The past week has been full of incredible experiences in unlikely places. The group traveled by train to a quaint campsite called Paladini, nestled beautifully in the region of Garfagnana. It was quite an adjustment for the group to go from a big and bustling city like Florence to a rustic campsite, and it definitely took some getting used to! But after the first few days, we all found ourselves really enjoying the change of pace. We met volunteers at the campsite from all around the world and got to work with our hands in ways that many of us hadn’t done in a long time. Our host, Colm, really made Paladini feel like home.

Top Three Highlights of the Week:

Capture the flag!
Our group got the opportunity to play a very intense and long game of capture the flag, where our territories spanned far across the Paladini campground. Many of us found ourselves crawling through the forest, in creeks, and really challenging ourselves for the sake of the game. It was truly an incredible experience, being able to play a game with newfound friends in such a beautiful place. In a way, the experience brought our group so much closer together, as well as closer to nature.

Building a pizza oven!
Every morning, all of us were tasked with different jobs to keep the campgrounds running, and one such job was helping to build and decorate a pizza oven for the site. We only used organic materials and were built using techniques that had been used in the region for thousands of years. We used a mixture of wild clay, limestone, and water and splattered it all over the structure of stones before covering it in a myriad of mosaic tiles. We unfortunately left Paladini before the mosaic was finished, but we were able to taste some delicious pizza made from the oven we helped create!

Nighttime campfire sessions!
Each night after dinner, our host, Colm, as well as some of our students and the volunteers at Paladini, played guitar and sang around the communal campfire! We got to hear music from all over the world, which was an incredible experience for all of us. Many of the students in this program are musicians, and the opportunity to share and experience art from others truly made our time at the campgrounds one to remember. We all really enjoyed the chance to share the magic of live music in such a unique setting. I honestly fell in love with the community at the campgrounds each night, having the opportunity to share and experience the breathtaking art of others.

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

Our group was incredibly unified this week; however, many of us struggled with the weather conditions at the Paladini campgrounds. When we arrived, we hiked during a torrential downpour, one which we assumed would calm down throughout the week. We were unpleasantly surprised to see these conditions continue for the next few days, making it difficult for many of us to complete our daily work and stay dry in the process. It was tough, but somehow we all managed to pull through with surprisingly good attitudes. Despite the cold and harsh weather, we found ourselves around the fire, playing games and sharing stories as though the rain was just an afterthought. We worked hard to maintain positive attitudes about the weather and powered through as a group. I believe we did a really good job managing the difficulties nature threw at us during our week at the campgrounds.

Reflections and Gratitude:

This week, we were all grateful for the opportunity to rest and recharge after a chaotic week in big cities like Siena and Florence. While many of us adored the experiences in such culturally rich places, it could be overwhelming and disorienting at times. We often found ourselves drained, and it felt like Paladini was the perfect place to recharge after the big cities. It offered us the priceless opportunity to get closer to each other and the natural world around us, and we really all put noticeable effort into making the most of our tech-free time together. A common theme this semester has been learning how we, as humans, are part of nature, and how getting in touch with nature is really getting in touch with an extension of ourselves. Throughout our time at Paladini, we were able to connect not only with ourselves but with more honest versions of each other, and for that, we are eternally grateful. I know that we will continue to look back on our experience in Paladini as one of beauty, art, and community—a safe space where we were free to take care of ourselves and reconnect with nature and, in turn, ourselves.

The post From City Streets to Campfire Beats: Our Transformative Week in Paladini, Italy appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Ally and Malcom

What’s New in Our Journey?

Welcome back! We just finished our trek on the Via Francigena, visiting our first two cities, Florence and Siena. The group enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the trek and admired the historic architecture in both cities. Along the way, we had the chance to bake bread, try medieval sword fighting, and visit the world’s best gelato place. This week has been great and we are excited about the following weeks!

Top Three Highlights of the Week:

• Trekking is not an easy task, but the journey is worth it. We got to try the world’s best gelato and happened upon some of the most beautiful sights.
• Our group also got a little taste of medieval fighting, wielding heavy swords and shields and being led around by a “servant” from the 1500s.
•  In the final parts of our hike, we tracked across the Elsa River, hoping stones and stopping to capture the miniature waterfalls that the vibrant aqua the river provided. The best highlight was our first trekking day when we arrived at San Gimignano—an eight-mile hike rewarded with the best gelato in the world, making every step worth it.

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

One of the challenges this past week was being on the move almost constantly. It was tough to find time to decompress and truly relax. That’s why Florence provided a much-needed break from the daily hustle. It gave us some good R&R.

Reflections and Gratitude:

The amount of gratitude the group had, for the 40-kilometer hike, in five days, and the strength it brought us to climb the bell tower in Florence, and also be grateful for rest, not to mention laundry. In general, the trip helped us to reflect and build gratitude for simple things, and that realization held us closer to the environment around us. We’re all excited to continue learning about what the world has to offer and how our roles can make a difference.

The post Journey Through Italy: Hiking Trails, Medieval Battles, and the Best Gelato! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Hudsyn and Allie

What’s New in Our Journey?

We kicked off our journey at Panta Rei! It’s a beautiful community where we learned useful Italian phrases and how to live more sustainably within our surroundings. Building a community was a new experience for all of us—new people, a new environment. A strong community requires trust, effort, and leadership. We faced challenges, overcame our addiction to technology, and turned our hearts and minds toward each other and nature. Living in a sustainable community means being mindful of everyday things like closing doors, flushing toilets, and conserving water. With these lessons and our newfound community, our group is stronger than ever.

Top Three Highlights of the Week:

• Trails: We were fortunate enough to hike some of the beautiful trails around Panta Rei last week. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and we all had an amazing time learning from our host, Chiara, along the way.
• Town: We spent time in the wonderful town of Passignano! We used the Italian we’d learned to order gelato, ask for directions, and converse with the locals. Passignano is one of the most picturesque towns you can imagine, nestled at the edge of a vast and stunning lake. The only thing that rivals the beauty of the landscape is the warmth of the community. Everyone we met was so welcoming and kind.
• Football: We had the opportunity to play soccer with some of the staff at Panta Rei, as well as locals from Passignano! It wasn’t a fair match—the locals had way more experience and we lost pretty badly—but we had a blast nonetheless!

Challenges We’ve Faced (and Conquered!)

One of the most challenging things this week was not having access to our phones. Many of us found ourselves instinctively reaching for them, looking for mindless entertainment. It was also tough not having access to news or being able to communicate with friends and family back home. However, we all got used to it, and agreed that it was a much-needed detox!

Group Dynamics:

Our group is doing incredibly well! Without our phones, we really connected with each other. We spent hours playing games, sports, making music, and more. Over the last week, we’ve built strong relationships that we know will last.

Reflections and Gratitude:

It’s incredible how 13 people, who met at an airport, are now best friends 10 days into our 70-day adventure. Our group coming together couldn’t have been by chance, given the impact we’ve made at Panta Rei and on each other. The connections we’ve built with our hosts are special bonds that we won’t forget, and we’re all going to miss the residents of Panta Rei very much. Just because a community is built in 10 days doesn’t mean it can’t be strong and have a lasting impact on the world around us.

The post Building Community and Connection in Italy: Our Journey at Panta Rei appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educator, Chelsea Van Eck

Ciao!

After months of preparing for this day, I’m ecstatic to say the group has successfully arrived at our first stop in Italy, Panta Rei!

It’s been an eventful 48 hours as we traversed planes, trains, and buses to arrive at our destination and settle into a new space and community. To paint a picture of what these first few days have been like, I’d like to offer some snapshots of different moments along the way.

1. Meeting at JFK: Excitement & Nerves

Meeting up at JFK on departure day with fresh faces, excitement and nerves running hand in hand, and a touch of awkwardness in the air! That moment of finally standing together in 3D, with the realization that this journey was finally happening, was surreal.

2. Touching Down on Italian Soil

The joyous action of standing after a long flight blessed some with rest, but many of us did not. The excitement really kicked in as we got through customs and stepped onto Italian soil.

3. A Hustle for the Trains

Our first train experience in Italy really was an adventure! To travel from the airport to Panta Rei required 3 trains. While we arrived with plenty of time for the first, we quickly discovered that trains don’t always run on time. Our first transfer left us with only minutes to catch our next train. For your delight, imagine a group of 13 running across several platforms, up and down stairs, laden with backpacks on both front and back. The moment of rushing onto the correct train and catching our breath in victory is definitely one to remember. This group can really hustle!

4. The Waiting Game

Our train adventures didn’t stop there. On our last connection, our train was 40 minutes behind schedule. We took up nearly half the waiting area for that last 8-minute train ride. The theme of the day definitely was waiting, but as I sat in that little station, I marveled at how laid-back the group had been, rolling with the different challenges brought our way. What a gift!

5. Sunset Arrival: A Moment of Awe

We were picked up by 3 vehicles to go to our first site. As we drove up a big hill, an incredible sunset was just starting to make its debut, casting golden hues over our view of a large lake and a town on the water. For me, the exhaustion of travel instantaneously melted away as we received that gift of beauty, and I told myself, “We’re really doing this!”

6. First Meal & Birthday Celebration

Our first meal together in Panta Rei was dreamy homemade pizza. What made it more special was celebrating our first birthday on the program. Our chef, Sarah, made a gigantic, delicious sponge cake in honor of Crawford celebrating another year around the sun. Happy birthday, Crawford!

7. Phone-Free Ceremony

With our phone-free week ahead, we held a small ceremony for the stowing away of our phones into a communal bag. Each of us offered a short ode to say goodbye, ranging from cute and silly to serious. Overall, many shared the sentiment of hoping to be more present with each other this week.

8. Morning Jam Session

With access to a piano and guitar in the dining hall, our first gathering of the morning quickly became an impromptu jam session as we waited for the rest of our jet-lagged companions to come to breakfast. Let me tell you, there are some talented musicians in this group!

9. Scavenger Hunt & Green Living

Our main host, Chiara, organized a scavenger hunt throughout the grounds that simultaneously kicked in our competitive spirits, oriented us to the space and green practices here, and taught us some helpful Italian phrases (we were required to ask community members for directions). Not only was it fun, but it helped us learn a little about the green lifestyle the community has been investing in. My team celebrated a sweet victory while basking in the sun, waiting for the other group. It has been a gorgeous day today.

10. Welcome Circle & Hopes for the Journey

Sitting in a circle, our group officially ushered in this new experience with Maggie and I welcoming the group and offering our hopes for the students’ gap semester. We are both looking forward to sharing this time to help all of us grow, learn, and make meaning together through our travels.

11. Laughter & Games in the Dining Hall

As I write this blog, I hear shouts of laughter from students playing games together in the dining hall, while overlooking the mountains from our front door. I think it’s safe to say we are all happy to be here.

Finally, I’d like to shout out the folks here at Panta Rei, who have extended warm hands of hospitality and an invitation to a slow and intentional week. I think all of us are looking forward to living on this invitation as we adjust to the time zone, our new community, and the theme of sustainability that we’ll explore on the journey.

The post Arrival in Panta Rei: Terra Group’s Journey of Firsts, Connections, and New Beginnings appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Maggie and Chelsea

Some interesting tidbits about your leaders:

Maggie calls both Colorado and Scotland home and is passionate about climbing, mountain biking, climate justice, and mental health advocacy.

Chelsea, a Midwest native, has called Korea, D.C., Wisconsin, and Florida home. She enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, going on nature walks, and learning people’s stories as she travels.

They both appreciate good chocolate and a perfectly brewed latte.

Tips for traveling:

• Embrace simplicity
• Be flexible
• Monitor your gut health

Maggie is most excited to support student goals, indulge in gelato, and learn some Italian. Chelsea is looking forward to enjoying delicious food (especially cacio e pepe), hiking the pilgrimage trail, and building an intentional learning community for the semester.

The post Buongiorno from Your Terra Overseas Educators: We’re Excited for a Journey of Learning, Connection, and Gelato! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Ariana and Megan

Ciao for Now!

It’s hard to believe, but the Terra group is on their last night in Athens! Did we really just do all that we did? Whatever motivated each student to step on that plane on March 5th and fly to a foreign country with complete strangers, we applaud them! It takes courage to do what others aren’t doing- to walk your own path. Many expressed that this gap semester went above and beyond their expectations.

Let’s reflect on all that we did:

Umbria: We stayed with a sustainable living community for a week in Umbria and learned Italian with the fabulous Chiara. We ate Sarah’s famous lasagna, woodworked with Fabio, and hiked under rainbow skies. Through thin walls, we got to know each other’s laughs and crazy stories from home.

Florence: We explored one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Florence, and stood in awe of the Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Lauren guided us through the history and Giacomo shared his garden knowledge with us, helping us create salt and sage concoctions to bring home.

Pilgrimage: We trekked 40 miles across a centuries-old trail that had been followed by pilgrims from Canterbury to Vatican City. We ate ancestral bread, foraged with Claudia, stayed in monasteries and old paper factories, and had 10/10 nonna cooking. Arriving in Siena, we formed our contrada allegiances and visited the HQ for the mighty Tartuca.

Paladini: In Paladini, we cooked chestnut pancakes, gardened, enjoyed campfire nights, lived off the land, and met travelers from around the world. Stop the lights! Colm, Caoimhin, and Ruadhan shared Irish culture and Italian language with us and the volunteers shared food, wisdom, and dance!

Rome: We ran around Rome and learned about a few thousand years’ worth of history, devoured countless plates of pasta, and consumed countless cups of cappuccinos. We saw the Pope on Easter, brunched to our heart’s content, and made our way through the Coliseum and the Vatican.

Southern Italy: We traveled by bus to southern Italy, where we worked with i bambini in the local elementary school. We explored Matera, hiked through the Sassi with Ivan, ate pasta in a cave with Cosimo, and enjoyed life on the Masseria with Birgit, Roxanne, and Michaele.

Crete: We lived on Crete and explored ancient archaeology, Greek language, and dancing, and honed our pottery skills. Xeno showed us the best of Crete’s beaches, Alex shared his ceramics knowledge, and we all consumed way too much baklava and G spot coffee.

Athens: We jetsetted to Athens, walked in the footsteps of the Greek gods and ancient philosophers, and celebrated our friendship. Carly taught us about the Parthenon and Hellenic Greece, while Marialena shared cultural insights and Greek cuisine with us.

Seliana: We retreated to the mountains of Seliana, where we were nurtured with warmth and kindness, organic food for our bodies and souls, and learned about permaculture, composting, living a minimalistic life, and how to stay conscientious of our carbon footprint. Kayil, Debo, Nejma, and Emily shared their time and love with us, as did numerous amazing volunteers.

We learned how to be better human beings and how to take care of this fragile planet.

All this in 8 weeks??? The growth each of us experienced has been exponential. The change in all of us will last a lifetime.

Ten adventurers began on a journey and traveled over 1,000 miles through Italy and Greece. We started as strangers, and we ended as a family. We first become travelers, then we become storytellers.

Well done, Terra! We are beyond proud of you.

Ciao for now, until we meet again. Now you have your own stories to tell.

The post Reflecting on Terra’s Journey: From Strangers to Family appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Students, Ben Torregiani & Stavroula Skandalakis

This week the Terra 2024 group went to Matera, a town carved out of stone. We started the week by visiting a school where we would be teaching kindergarten students English. In the afternoon, we made pasta in a house carved into the mountain and ate it with a view of the Sassi di Matera. The next day, we hiked through the Sassi di Matera, which is a village over a thousand years old that was carved into the mountain. We took a day trip to Bari to soak up some sun and spend time in the ocean. Then we spent time in a school for two days teaching students English and planting flowers with them.

Top Highlights of the Week:

Beach day! We spent some time on the beaches of Bari. We spent the day playing in the water and lying down in the sand.

Later in the week, we made lasagna and tiramisu with some volunteers for another program! It was, in my opinion, the best food we’ve had on the trip so far.

Teaching the kids! We spent two days teaching, playing with, gardening with, and singing with kindergarten students. Even though there was a language barrier we managed to get around it and have a lot of fun!

Challenges Faced:

Our biggest challenge was our language barrier with the Italian students. Our group doesn’t speak much Italian, and the kids were learning English, so naturally there were some communication difficulties. So with the help of the teachers (and a bit of Google translate), we used our language knowledge as efficiently as we could to get the tasks done.

Surprising Discoveries:

What surprised us most about Matera is just how recently the cave structures were used. The houses dug into the mountain have been around for over a thousand years, and have been used for the entire time. The caves were used up until the 1970s when everyone moved out of it to the main town.

The post A Week in Matera: Exploring a Stone-Carved Town appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Students, Eden Tropepe and Kian Murray

This past week the Carpe Diem Terra group went to Rome and experienced the ancient wonders of Italy. We started our time off visiting the Vatican and seeing the Pope’s inspirational message to 1.4 billion Catholics for Easter. We then had some time to explore the city with a walking tour through the historic area. On our last day, we went inside the Vatican museums, seeing artwork and treasures from a time long past. We finished our time off with some amazing food and lots of gelato.

Top Highlights of the Week:

We explored the iconic Colosseum and Roman Forum, marveling at their breathtaking architecture, and immersed ourselves in the beautiful artwork and rich culture of the Vatican. We got a taste of the rich culture and ancient traditions of the Romans.

Challenges Faced:

Our group initially struggled, but later thrived with using the metro system in a new city. By our last night, we were able to use our new skills to efficiently explore the exciting city with ease.

What’s Next?

In the week ahead, we are all very excited to go to the south of Italy and see a very different but vibrant culture. We are all thrilled to visit the historic quarter of Matera and learn about the deep and rich history of the area. Alongside this, we look forward to exploring new food traditions and having an opportunity to partner with local elementary students to promote a healthy lifestyle.

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Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Students, Sydney and Logan 

A few weeks back, we did part of the Via Francigena! We walked for 4 days and had great weather throughout! Lauren was our guide through it all, she was amazing! We met a nice gentleman on the first day who stopped us and talked about how he hosted hikers doing the trek! We stopped at various small towns along the way as well as the best gelato! We ended the trek and made our way to Paladini for a week.

Top Highlights of the Week:

The challenging, yet rewarding trek to the finish!

Meeting the volunteers at Paladini, where they came from, and why they came

Gelato, gelato, and more gelato!!

Wine tasting

Challenges Faced:

We were challenged with the different terrain of the Via Francigena. Hilly, muddy, winding roads, and lots of ground to cover. Overall, we all came out stronger!

Gratitude:

The group couldn’t be more grateful for the partners we work with and how accommodating they are to our wants. They show us a different side of the city or countryside and talk about their experiences with this place. It is a pleasure to learn the history and culture of a new place. Next week, we will be staying at Paladini! This is a campground of sorts where we will be doing some outdoor work with gardening and deforestation! This week will be tech-free and a chance to connect with nature and each other’s presence.

The post Trail Tales and Gelato Delights: Trekking Adventures Along the Via Francigena appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Students, Ryan Chun & Julia Rivard

We went to Florence (Firenze) and made ourselves at home for a few days! We climbed the Duomo Bell Tower, explored the Palazzo Vecchio, and did a scavenger hunt of different city attractions, among other things. We also started our trek to Siena on the Via Francigena!

Top Highlights of the Week:

Gelato Galore: Gelato, gelato, and more gelato! On our first full day in Florence, we walked to grab a gelato and watch the sunset on the river! It was a perfect welcome to Florence moment.

Guided City Tour: We went on a city tour guided by our amazing partner, Lauren! We learned about the history of the city, from Ancient Rome to the Renaissance, and ended in the Accademia looking at Michelangelo’s David!

Via Francigena Trek: While we were nervous about all the walking, we powered through and were rewarded by the amazing views of rolling hills in the Italian countryside.

Challenges Faced:

Navigating through our first big city in Italy was challenging, especially given all the winding roads and narrow pathways. However, the walkability of the city made it a rather easy transition and allowed us to explore everything we wanted!

Gratitude for Our OEs:

This week (and every week), we are most grateful for our fearless OEs, Ariana and Megan. They have made our transition into this semester as easy as possible, and they are always there to help us achieve our goals. We can’t wait to embark on the remaining six weeks with them. They are the BEST!

The post What’s New for Terra Group? Exploring Florence and Trekking to Siena! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educator, Ariana Agrios

The Terra group is off and running!

We landed in Rome on Wednesday and made our way to Passignano Sul Trasimeno where we’re staying at Panta Rei, a sustainable living community in the hills of Umbria. This week we’ve enjoyed hiking to and from town, exploring the beautiful landscape, making pizza and pasta from scratch, and getting to know each other as the group bonds!

Our mornings have been filled with Italian lessons with our amazing host Chiara and the students have been using their new skills to communicate with their fellow workers here at Panta Rei. We’ve also used them to order a few morning treats and cappuccinos of course.

We’ve made lots of new animal friends here at Panta Rei as well. Fred the dog and Zucca the cat (named Pumpkin in Italian by our group) have become fan favorites.

Today we’ll close the week out with our official opening ceremony, marking the end of orientation and the start of our trip. Tomorrow we’ll head to Florence where we’re excited to learn more about the Capital of Artists’ rich history and culture!

Stay tuned to hear more from student leaders on next week’s adventures!

Our Top Highlights of the Week:

Pizza Party with everyone at Panta Rei

Italian lessons with Chiara

Exploring Passignano and eating our first gelato (one of many to be sure)

The post Embracing Italia: Adventures of the Terra Group Begin! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Ariana and Megan

Buongiorno from the Terra Overseas Educators!

Ariana and Megan have enjoyed connecting with each of you over this past week in preparation for our European adventure, and we hope you’re as excited as we are that we’ll soon be on our way to Roma! Bellissimo!

A few fun facts about your fearless leaders:

Irish Dancing Bookworm and Cat Lover Ariana

• Ariana was a competitive Irish Dancer for most of her life and can still dance a pretty good jig!
• Ariana is an avid reader and member of multiple book clubs. Over the past three years, she’s read over 150 books!
• Ariana has a very cute, round cat named Coconut who unfortunately will not be attending this gap year program with her.

Nomadic Wanderer, Cat Aficionado, and Global Explorer Megan

• Megan drove across India in a race car and has driven a vehicle on every inhabitable continent.
• On a trip to Komodo Island, Indonesia, she slept inside an air-conditioned ATM room when she had heat exhaustion.
• Megan has lived a nomadic life for 15 years and estimates that she has moved over 20 times since leaving home for college. She also estimates she has stopped to pet over 1,200 cats during this time.

Although one might think your two trip leaders have little in common other than the love of fluffy kitties, Megan and Ariana have quickly discovered the contrary.

For example, they love a good to-do list to check off as they accomplish their many tasks. They love a good scavenger hunt for eccentric flavors of gelato, as well as any excuse to venture out in search of a sweet treat they have yet to conquer.

Ariana grew up around an array of peculiar creatures like alligators in the Floridian swamps, and Megan now resides amongst the penguins and guanacos in the wild landscape of Patagonia. They have yet to identify a real sound that any of these animals actually make.

They are both confident in their abilities to count from one to ten in Spanish and Italian. Both self-proclaimed international foodies, they are looking forward to the 24 hours they will have in New York City together to see how many types of international foods they can consume. Be sure to ask them about it when you see them at the airport!

And last, but not least, they are incredibly passionate about travel and both LOVE the Italy & Greece program, and they cannot wait to share this incredible experience with all of you!!!

Looking forward to sharing loads of cultural tidbits, such as how to tell real gelato from fake gelato, what time of day to drink a cappuccino, how Rome got its name, and what the pomegranate represented in the ancient Minoan civilization.

Ciao!

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Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Meg & Mary

And that’s a wrap! The Terra group has officially come to the end of its journey. This past week we stayed at Re-green, an amazing village nestled in the mountains of Akrata. The volunteers and village members that live there practice and promote permaculture principles, and were generous enough to let us into their community for a week. Our group absolutely loved movement with Nejma in the morning, walking with Mil in the forest, drumming with Nikos, eating Bijon’s AMAZING food, and learning from Kayil & Debo how to prep garden beds for winter and make our own compost pile.

Student Awards:

We also had many closing ceremonies and reflection activities throughout this week, so we’d like to share the culmination of our trip with those back home following along with our adventures.

Mary and Meg gave each student an award, based on which Greek mythological parent matches their personality and journey of self-discovery:

Elizabeth- Child of Thetis

You are a strong and capable leader, with strong values and morals. Your strong personality and infectious laugh are integral to this group culture. You have a strong sense of justice, a shining intelligence, and sassy cleverness that sets you apart.

Liam- Child of Pan

You have a kind, quiet and wholesome nature that helps the group stay grounded with purpose and gratitude. You are appreciated by all for your ability to lend a hand, be a leader, and ask insightful questions.

Macey- Child of Demeter

A pure soul and kind to all- both nature and people! You are not swayed by negativity, but are a source of goodness and light for your peers. Your interest in gardening and planting goes beyond a hobby, but shows your deep appreciation for the earth and its life giving and healing properties. You show a quiet and gentle leadership that is rare, and much needed in our world.

Lillian- Child of Selene

You are a natural force to be reckoned with! Your moods ebb like the tide, rising and falling- when you’re in a light mood you light up a room but when you tap into your dark side, it can be a bit chilly for those around you.

You can hold a crowd when you are telling stories, much like how we are captivated by the moon’s splendor. You are ambitious and crafty, and know how to get what you want showing the power you hold.

You have many passions and experiences that show the different phases of your life, and you are certainly a memorable and integral part of this community.

Amery- Child of Persephone

Persephone is the goddess of spring and the queen of the underworld- contradictory but both are integral to keeping life in balance. You are brave and take risks, continuing to try things that are not in the realm of the familiar and comfortable people and places you love- and so the duality of the lightness of spring and the grittiness/resilience of the underworld define you well!

Grace- Child of Aphrodite

Your love of love is what makes you a child of Aphrodite. Your tattoo theme revolves around it! Your warm laugh and loving nature set you apart, and your ability to tune into your own and others emotions is impressive.

Kate- Hunter of Artemis

Your growing strength of mind and character is evident- you are on your way to being a brave warrior- however your sweet and kind soul is at your core and is what powers your strength. We know you are a softie at heart, and we love you for it.

Sydney- Daughter of Athena

Your intelligence and ability to discern and interpret the world around you is impressive. You are a role model and a leader for your peers- Athena is the patron saint of so many Greek cities for a reason! You protect those you care about, show fierce determination and skill, and step up to lead when you feel it is just.

Lily- Daughter of Hestia

You seem like you’d be happiest curled up with a cup of tea by a fire. You radiate heat and care for those you care about, always keeping the fire ready at home. You are an integral part to this group, modeling vulnerability and gratitude which keeps our community warm and wholesome. You will bring this sense of home, comfort, and gratitude in all your travels and adventures, to everyone you meet.

Justin- Child of Pandora

You are a child of Pandora, a woman crafted and blessed with gifts by the gods. She was given the gift of curiosity, a trait you exude. This trait allows you to dive deeper into your experiences, and show others the fascinating details of the world around us. And yes, the story goes that Pandora opened her box full of sorrows onto humanity, but don’t forget that the jar still contained “Elpis” or Hope. Even when things get tough, you keep the hope for a better tomorrow alive, and show strength of character to get yourself and your friends to that day.

Final Reflections:

We also had a group wisdom sharing session to reflect on our experiences and create a piece of advice for ourselves and others to take beyond this gap year. Here are our nuggets of wisdom that we have picked up along the way:

“Never be afraid to disappoint others if it means making yourself happy” -Kate

“Keep your heart light, you’ll fly effortlessly”-Mary

“You can handle it”- Lillybeth

“Reflect, don’t regret”- Liam

“There’s always another beautiful, shiny chestnut just up the trail, keep going!” -Meg

“You will never catch back up chasing life, there will always be more that you want” -Justin

“You can only show up for others after you show up for yourself” -Macy

“Try something new because what if you actually like it?” -Elizabeth

“It’s never too late to be happy” -Lillian

“Live your dreams because you only live once” -Sydney

“Life is too short to deny yourself of any positive emotion and too short to deprive others others of witnessing it” -Grace

“You can 10x stronger than you think you are” -Amery

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Written by Italy & Greece Student, Macey T.

This past week our group got to spend time on the beautiful island of Aegina!Our wonderful group leaders on Crete, Elizabeth and Liam, booked a picturesque 3 story house, right on the ocean. The weather was on our side as well, allowing us to swim almost everyday! It truly was a little patch of paradise. Aegina is very famous for pistachios, and we did not take it for granted! I personally stopped by a quaint pistachio shop 3 times, finding something new and even more delicious each time As well as a group pistachio tasting in our living room! It was a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature!

Our Highlights of the Week:

Choosing just 3 highlights is tough, the whole week was a dream! Although I know I speak for everyone when I say the day we got to spend on a boat and sail from island to island exceeded expectations! We swam in turquoise waters into a cave, got to see Peacocks and Deer up close, and had a DELICIOUS meal provided by the captain on a tiny little island . The sun was shining and it was the recharge everyone needed!

This week we got to celebrate the 18th birthday of Sydney! Per her request, roasted garlic red pepper olive oil noodles were made, with sautéed broccoli and a beautiful chocolate cake! Sydney is such a bright light in our group and we felt honored to get to celebrate a milestone birthday with her!

This may sound crazy, but having a kitchen to prepare food in was a huge highlight. Don’t get me wrong, the food in Greece is AMAZING, but sometimes a home cooked meal of french fries and pizza rolls hits different.

But growth always comes with challenge … what challenges did you overcome this week?

Because it is the off season in Greece, many forms of transportation were limited. Finding accurate bus times and rides to places was challenging at first, but in the end it was a good growing experience in problem solving and planning ahead! Also thanks to our OE’s, we were able to see places we otherwise couldn’t access by bus.

What are you grateful for this week?

There is so much to be grateful for, but the sunshine, and chance to enjoy these beautiful Greek waters as much as we have been is such a blessing. The beautiful weather has allowed us to fully take advantage of all Greece, and Aegina has to offer. Heading into the mountains and Re-Green for our final week will be a chilly challenge, but these last weeks basking in the sunshine will stay in our minds

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Written by Italy & Greece Students, Elizabeth R. & Liam S.

We arrived on Crete! Over the past ten days, we spent time in a small village on Eastern Crete! We started off the week with Greek language and culture lessons from our teacher Manolis. We learned the essentials of the language as well as Greek history and Greek dancing, which we all enjoyed! Then Carly taught us all about Minoan history- even taking us to Gournia, Azoria, and Mochlos. We also had pottery classes and spent time working on Vassili’s olive farm, prepping for the olive harvest. And each day was not complete without a trip to the beach- even for sunrise and sunset! We had delicious meals and spent lots of quality as a group these past few days, which was very refreshing! We are now in Athens for a few days before leaving on our student directed travel.

Our Highlights of the Week:

This week we had so many highlights that couldn’t just choose three!

1. Our Greek lessons! We loved getting to learn the Greek alphabet and being able to spell each other’s names in Greek! And our teacher, Manolis, made every part of the class so fun!

2. The beach! Over the course of the week we went to various different beaches, all of which were so pretty. Our two favorites were the pebble beach right below our village with cool rocks and the Via Palm Beach surrounded by hundreds of palm trees and cliffs.

3. The sunrise! On our last full day on Crete a few of us went down to watch the sunrise on the pebble beach. A beautiful, peaceful experience capped off by a morning sunrise swim! A mermory we won’t forget.

4. The food! We had spectacular food from the local tavern. Our personal favorites were the zucchini fritters, lentil soup, tzatziki, and Greek salads.

5. Pottery classes! We went down to Alex’s studio where we learned how to make pinch pots and other ceramic items. We then got to paint and glaze them. Each one of us made unique pieces that we are very excited to bring home!

But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?

One of the challenges we had this week was planning for our week of student directed travel on Aegina. We needed to plan location, transportation, accommodation, and activities all within our budget. Agreeing on a place to go as well as finding activities and accommodation was challenging because we had so many good options to pick from. We settled on the island of Aegina, and we’ll be staying at and Airbnb near town. We are so excited to go and can’t wait to see what’s in store next week!

What are you grateful for this week?

We are so grateful for being in Greece! While we loved being in Italy, coming to Greece has been a refreshing change of pace! The weather, food, and scenery have been so great so far! Additionally we have gotten to spend a lot of quality time together through various CDLs that Meg and Mary taught and our dinner games! We have shared many laughs and interesting conversations that we hope to bring into the rest of the trip!

The post Life in Crete & the Many Highlights of Greece! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Kate T. and Lillian A.

Since the last update, the Terra group has completed our time in Matera and travelled to Greece! In a farm outside of Matera we were tasked with designing and painting recycled fridges to turn them into “book fridges” as a sort of lending library for a nearby town, Altamura. With the help of local contacts, at the end of the week we got to unveil the fridges to locals at the library we partnered with. And…they were a hit! Following that, the students got to have Sunday lunch with some local families in town. In groups of two we went off for the afternoon with these families who have children around our ages who speak English. The students were able to fully immerse in a Italian family meal with all of its courses and learn more about the culture! We ended our time in Matera with a fun Halloween party on the last night where even some of the local families showed up! The next day we said goodbye to our friends in Matera and drove to Naples for our last night in Italy. We explored the city that afternoon and the next morning we flew to Greece for the second half of our program!

Our Highlights of the Week:

The highlights from this week were building the book refrigerators for children and being able to read to them in english and in italian. The second highlight were the italian home stays and learning about their culture and life. The final highlight was the halloween party where we had a fun night before we headed to Naples.

But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?

Something that our group has noticed over the course of the program is the time for adjustment when moving to a new place. We visualize it as a spiral where at the beginning of the new location we are more tightly wound. And then as time goes on we get more used to our surroundings and the culture like the wider edges of a spiral. I think this is something we as a group struggled with in Matera. The place and people were amazing but the day to day activities had a different structure from other farms we had stayed on. Nevertheless, our group persisted and I think it’s safe to say we came out of it with Matera being one of our favorite stops on the program!

How’s the group doing?

I feel like the group has grown to be more comfortable with each other by sharing feelings, thoughts, clothes and food. The next week we will be continuing to explore Crete until we start to travel to Athens. We are looking forward to traveling to Aegina and spending time hiking and swimming at the beach.

One last thing …

We are having such a fun time exploring Italy and Greece! The group is really thriving together and facilitate a curious and positive environment. We also love our OE’s, shout-out to Meg and Mary!!

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Written by Italy & Greece Students, Zane & Justin

We arrived in Rome after a four-hour FlixBus ride from Siena and split off into two groups after sending our bags to the monastery we’re staying at by taxi. One group walked an hour to the monastery and got Chinese food, and the other took the metro and got some Italian food. The next day we had lunch at a fancy restaurant that Mary booked called La Villetta dal 1920 where we got giant bowls and platters of pasta and absolutely destroyed an assortment of their signature desserts (tiramisu in a Moka coffee pot, egg custard poured over Nutella and gelato and berries, a pistacchio brioche filled with cream, and a sour cherry tart). Then we went on a three-hour walking tour with Ettore, learning about the history of Rome and its architecture. What stood out was how building materials residual marble have been recycled throughout Roman, medieval, and more modern times. Ettore showed us a gelateria called Fatamorgana, and we had some amazing chocolate, prune, and rum gelato among many other flavors. After the tour, we split up and wandered around Rome seeing some sights and eating dinner.

The next day we went to lunch at Emma, a famous Italian restaurant that food critics have raved about. Again, Mary booked this place after asking her friends for recommendations so thanks Mary! Some students decided to take public transit, which was an adventure with severely delayed buses and people speaking all sorts of languages piling in like sardines. We shared some supplì for our antipasti. Then, apart from one calzone, we each got a pizza, which is what Emma is known for. They also listed exactly what is in each dish and where it’s sourced from to show the quality of the ingredients on the menu.

In the afternoon we went to the Vatican, but a couple of us missed the entrance time. They needed to pick up laundry all the way back at the monastery or went to the wrong place and couldn’t search up the correct place because of no SIM cards or WiFi. We saw mummies and sarcophagi in the Vatican which we didn’t know they had. We wanted to beeline to Capelle Sistina, but we didn’t find paper maps and just had to follow signs for something somewhere. There were giant hallways lined with frescos, Roman busts, statues, carved gold leaf panels, and relics of every kind. The grandeur would even put Versailles to shame. Eventually, after a rather plain corridor, we turned the corner, went down some steps and entered the jam-packed Sistine Chapel. We saw the iconic God and Adam reaching out to each other but didn’t really understand the other frescos there. Soon we were leaving, and most of the museum group went to get bagels at Mammo. Unfortunately, we realized later that we didn’t see the Pietà by Michelangelo, which is in Basilica di San Pietà, and we also didn’t and then couldn’t check how entering it would work.

Our last full day was a slower day for everyone. Some people stayed in most of the day. Some went and got Indian/Nepalese food and boba for lunch. Some went to the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese, which is a giant park with water features and a few museums sprinkled around. Some also went to see the Capuchin Crypts where bones of the deceased have been arranged into elaborate designs. Something notable that happened is that we saw a pickpocketing happen right in front of us to an aloof American. Four guys walked onto a metro and distracted the man by asking him questions and left at the next stop after taking something out of the victims pockets. For dinner, cacio é pepe, artichoke pizza, and McDonalds were on the menu in the group.

Then, we had our travel day which was a seven hour Flixbus and van from Rome to our home for the next week called Masseria La Fiorita near Matera. Most of us got KFC or McDonald’s that morning while at the station.

Our Highlights of the Week:

A highlight was definitely Gelateria La Romana, which we went out of our way to go to. It had the best gelato that we had the entire trip, beating out even La Strega Nocciola in Florence. They had both traditional and experimental flavors like pistacchio and yogurt but also their special suggested combo of ruby & caramel bon bon and farcito 5 (essentially chocolate raspberry).

But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?

Transportation in Rome was challenging for the group. No SIM cards meant asking locals in Italian, using free WiFi when we could and planning out transit routes on the go. I found myself lost a couple of times wandering Rome. The most notable was when my map directions took me on a hour walk to ‘Vatican City’ a vacation rental service instead of the museum. Traveling without an easy connection to our phone GPS was a big challenge during our time in Rome.

What are you grateful for this week?

I am grateful for being able to witness the history of Rome in front of my very eyes. The ruins of the city that have been there for hundreds of years were inspiring to hear about. So many statues, pieces of art and places of worship from ages ago mixed in with new modern buildings. Rome was the perfect blend of the ancient world and a new city, and I’m happy I was able to see it.

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Written by Italy & Greece Students, Lillybeth & Amery

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 us to make a delicious little bread snack! We stayed the night at a monastery and started our trek in the morning. Lauren, our guide on the walk, took us to a wine tasting and briefed us on how to smell/taste the wine! We spent the rest of the day walking through gorgeous hills/mountains until we got to San Gimignano, which we explored a little before turning in for the night at the “campsite.” The next day, we took a bus to Poggibonsi to see Il Cassero Della Fortezza Medicea- a medieval village that a group of archaeologists found and rebuilt and they now dress up as villagers and tell you about the village during that time period! It was so fun, Fillipio taught us how to spear throw and defend in a fight! Then we began our walk to the next town we were staying in, we decided to take a silent walk and it was very peaceful, the scenery was gorgeous and it only get better. The next day we met Claudia who took us on a foraging walk, she showed us a bunch of plants along the trail and told us all their uses/benefits/origins, it was so fascinating. The trail was along a river and we stopped for lunch and a swim at a waterfall- it was utterly STUNNING. The next day was the last of the trek, we ended in the beautiful Siena where we had time to check out local restaurants and shopping and go to the Duomo!

Our Highlights of the Week:

Our first highlight happened as soon as we got to Gambassi Terme, our leader Lauren introduced us to Luca and he taught us how to make this really scrumptious bread. We then ate some lunch there homemade by his family which is still said to be one of the best meals we’ve had so far. Comprised of focaccia, lasagna, prosciutto and cheese!

Another highlight was the first day of the trek. We walked into town and got coffee and pastries and then we headed for the vineyard where we tried two types of wine, one red and one white. While the group is still unsure if they will want to drink wine again, it was a great experience where we got to learn about the wine making process and how to smell and taste to break down all of the flavors.

After the vineyard we headed to San Gimignano, about a three hour walk through the rolling hills, which made it really feel like a trek. The small town consisted of many gelaterias, gift shops and vendors selling their art. The last highlight, many say the best part of the whole trek, was when we met Claudia. She was very knowledgeable about all of the wild plants that grew along the river and their many uses and benefits. The river was gorgeous and bright blue. We stopped at a big waterfall for lunch and some of us swam. The river was truly amazing and a beautiful sight to see.

But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?

There were a few challenges this week for everyone, individually and as a group. It was a long, physically demanding week and not all of us have experience hiking this much. The constant moving of accommodations and environments also caused stress to be higher.

What are you grateful for this week?

This opportunity of a lifetime has made me aware of how grateful I am to live in such a beautiful world with such diverse terrain and endless possibilities for learning. It has also shown me how grateful I am for my family and friends back home as I have experienced more homesickness than I thought I would. Nonetheless, our group continues to create stronger bonds throughout every opportunity we experience together, and we are becoming our own little family.

The post Beginning the Via Francigena across Tuscany! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Students, Macey T. & Grace N.

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 were other volunteers there from programs like Workaway, as well as the owner Colm and his family. There were different chores we helped out with in the mornings each day, such as chestnut picking/harvesting, stone laying, wood chopping, gardening, cooking, and more. We all got to try different things each day. Every meal was made in the kitchen by either us or the volunteers, and we had so much delicious food that was cooked and shared with kindness among everyone there. In the afternoons, there were different workshops taught by some of the volunteers, such as creative writing, photography, and Spanish lessons, and in our free time we could explore the farm, play some ping pong, paint, read, and just hang out. There was a trail that led all the way down the mountain to a waterfall that we swam in (with freezing cold water), and beyond that to the nearby little town with stunning views and beautiful local architecture dating back hundreds of years. Every night after dinner we’d gather around the fire and share live music, stories, and laughter with everyone, with songs in different languages and stories from all over the world. My heart was so full after my time at Paladini, and I was sad to leave but excited for the next adventure.

Our Highlights of the Week:

There were so many memories made, amazing people met, fun group activities, and delicious food eaten! Highlights include an afternoon exploring the nearby village, as well as a refreshing dip in a near by swimming hole, if you were brave enough to endure the cold water! Participating in activities led by the Work-Away residents including, creative writing, pasta making, Spanish 101, and a music workshop, allowed for such special connections to be made, with people from Columbia, Ireland, and even the USA! But nothing could beat the view of the stunning mountains in the horizon. Overall our experience at Paladini was one that we won’t ever forget and will be forever grateful for!

But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?

Challenges are inevitable on a journey like this. Leaving the independence that the city allowed and stepping back into close quarters proved to be more challenging than anticipated. The showers maybe not have been ideal nor the 6-person tent, but the strong foundation created in the first week allowed us to openly communicate our priorities and goals for the 7 weeks, adjust our attitudes accordingly, and reconnect as a community again.

What’s coming up next week?

Next week we embark on our trek down south on the Via Francigena, and I’m so excited to start. It’s something I was looking forward to since the beginning, and I can’t wait to spend some time walking on this beautiful and historical pilgrimage and see some fantastic scenery and get some fun exercise! I’m looking forward to a wine tasting that we have with a local vineyard right off the trail, as well as visiting and staying in a medieval village where I’ve heard we’ll learn how to shoot crossbows and fight in traditional combat, which I’m super excited for. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this week and take some time to reflect and relax with fantastic views all around.

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Written by Italy & Greece Students, Sydney & Liam

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 met Giacomo, who told us about the ways that urban gardens are trying to innovate the methods of growing plants in a sustainable way. We also went on a tour of Florence with a woman named Guilia. Even though we had a lot of time to wander the city by ourselves, going on the tour was really interesting because it gave a more in depth perspective on the monuments that we had seen. We saw the Duomo, the Uffizi, and the Ponte Vecchio.

Our Highlights of the Week:

Going to the Uffizi. Seeing the The Primavera and The Birth of Venus in person was spectacular.

Panini at Semel. Only 5€ for a sandwich and every one was delicious.

Seeing the David. On the tour, we saw the real David, which was notably better that the re-creations.

But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?

I think having to navigate the city of Florence with no data is something that was really challenging for everyone. But as the week progressed it helped us in the long run because now we know the city just using our brains, and I know I at least feel much more confident and comfortable navigating offline.

How’s the group getting along?

The group dynamic is very interesting in this group, but I also think it is very healthy. Most people I’ve noticed like their time alone doing what they like, but it feels like whenever we all get together we have a great time no matter what we do. I enjoy the company of everyone in this group!

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Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Megan & Mary

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 community, getting to know each other, and immersing ourselves in Italian language and culture. We have been spending time with Tom and Mauro from Panta Rei, running around the property for a scavenger hunt, learning about mushrooms, and gaining insight to the sustainable designs of the property. The farm dogs Fred, Muschio, and Nia have been a huge hit and are receiving many pets.

Our Highlights of the Week:

Playing with the cats and dogs of Panta Rei

Visiting the town of Passignano and getting gelato for the first time

Eating a 10/10 pumpkin risotto (and having a dish-washing dance party after dinner)

But growth always comes with challenge … what were your students challenged by this week?

We walked down from the farm into town, passing George Lucas’ house and beautiful views! However the way back up was steeeeeep. We struggled a bit but can’t complain because the views from our first accommodation are stupendo!

How’s the group getting along?

The community blossoming within our group has made our transition here feel smooth. We laugh, we play, we learn, and engage in meaningful conversations as we plant our roots in this new and incredible country. As much as we are enjoying life on the farm, we are also teeming with excitement to head to Firenze next week. Many of us are especially interested in delving into the art history of this iconic city. For now, we feel deep gratitude to be present and held within the lush greenery of Umbria. Updates to come soon, thanks for tuning in!

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Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educators, Mariana (Mara + Ariana) 

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 following your journey at home, as the journey has come to an end, it feels most appropriate to now write it directly to you – the students – who will be reading this from the comfort of your own cozy beds and couches with your sweet dogs and cats (and maybe even a gecko).

When we met over 10 weeks ago at the JFK airport, we never could have imagined what was in store for us. Our semester has been framed by iconic monuments throughout history from the initial glimpses of the Colosseum from the first of many buses to our final views of the Acropolis lit up in Athens. As we walked along Tuscan trails and explored Minoan archeological sites, we were also creating our own history – one filled with many Guiseppes, polar plunges, a love for animals and sweet treats, and an exclusive performance by Niko and the Big Booties! We discovered new passions for permaculture principles, banoffee, and natural building.

We loved hearing your different insights and perspectives, watching your creativity shine, and celebrating a very Dungeons and Dragons Greek Easter. You all adapted to living out of a backpack quickly and within community quickly. Throughout the challenges, triumphs, and cold nights, no one ever gave up. Throughout the semester, our local partners were consistently impressed with your respectful nature, thoughtfulness, and willingness to engage. We were too and so grateful for it!

As we write our final blog from a cafe in Athens (which is altogether too quiet without you all!), we have been reflecting on the incredible growth we’ve seen from you over the past semester. Not to sound too much like your teachers but it’s been a joy to watch you all try new things and experience moments of learning and growth throughout this trip. This program challenged each of you in unique ways and pushed you to get “comfortable in the uncomfortable” as we lived and learned in new environments.

As a final shoutout, we wanted to acknowledge some of the ways in which each of you individually contributed to this incredible group experience.

Aiden – thank you for all the delicious meals you curated for us throughout the semester! Your passion for food was infectious and allowed us all to appreciate the wonderful cuisines of Italy and Greece! We miss your meals already and hope you spam the group chat with photos of what you create back home!

Cat – It was amazing to see your creative side thrive over the last 3 months! Your curiosity for the world is beautifully funneled into your art and we loved everything from your music video to your fun doodles and the way you express yourself through clothing and design. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us!

Henry – “We call him ‘The Builder,’” and we certainly know why! Thank you for your strong commitment to our projects and partners and your openness to new ideas and perspectives throughout this trip. We were all impressed with your maturity throughout the challenges that came your way.

Jonah – Your humor and wit always kept us on our toes! We’ve loved seeing your silly side and knowing at a moment’s notice you’d have Uno ready to go! Thank you for letting us share our pop culture references with you – may you never forget Shakira and The Backstreet Boys! Slay.

Laura – You were the unsung hero who shaped so much of our group culture from your appreciation for the clouds to your vocabulary that we’ve all adopted (sweet treat anyone?) Thanks for being someone we could always rely on and bringing so much warmth into the group!

Naomi – Thanks for your adventurous spirit! We loved splashing into Tuscan rivers and Greek lakes with you, exploring cities and new cuisines, and finding joyful moments in the day to day throughout the trip. Whether shopping for trinkets or planting tomatoes, you always were ready to jump in and participate fully!

Tai – You truly are SHINY! You never failed to make us laugh. Thanks for always bringing energy to our group and sharing everything from snacks to laughter. Your one liners will live in infamy and bring a smile to our faces every time we think of you!

Throughout this semester we’ve loved seeing each of you in and outside of your elements – creating compost, exploring archaeological sites, making pizza and pasta from scratch, applying permaculture principles, celebrating birthdays and holidays, even organizing your own travel! You’ve solved conflicts, navigated living and traveling as a group, made friends, and climbed literal mountains on this journey. Everyday with you all was an adventure and you never cease to make us laugh with your impressions, jokes, and shenanigans. We hope you feel the growth we’ve seen in you and carry that into the next chapter of your lives, wherever that takes you. Thanks for all the laughs and the mems. May the matia bracelets protect you and you always have that ticket ready for your next adventure!

Much love, “Mariana” 

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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, boat horns, cats all around, and the beautiful clear blue water of the Mediterranean Sea.

From Aegina, we traveled by boat to Moni Island, which is covered in pine trees and hosts a native goat species called Kri Kri, as well as peacocks that roam the island. Some people relaxed and others adventured up the mountainous terrain. After spending the day there, we spent time by the pool playing a group game and enjoying time together. On our last day, we walked to the Lighthouse of Aegina and did a group activity, then returned to our hotel to collect are bags and hop onto our next ferry that returned us to Athens.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

In no particular order:

One of them for me would be visiting the island of Aegina. It was a beautiful small island about an hour and a half south of Athens via ferry. It was a great stay and although short was super fun as it was a very cool island to explore and the weather was great.

Another one for me would be getting gelato and gyros again. As silly as it may sound, being on a farm for a week (and don’t get me wrong the food was amazing) we didn’t get any street food or opportunities for gelato. So being able to get gyros and gelato again was amazing.

I think the final highlight for me would be going to the Panatheanaic Olympic stadium. It was a really cool experience. We learned about some of the original olympic games and learned about the stadium which was very old. We also saw a lot of the old olympic torches from most of the recent Olympics which was really cool to see.

What’s on for next week? What are you looking forward to?

This is our final week, so everyone is splitting up. Most people are heading home while I’m traveling to Amsterdam for a couple of nights, so I’m really excited for that. I’m sad that the trip is coming to an end but am also ready to make it home.

Gratitude of the week:

This week I’ve been extremely grateful for this amazing group I’ve met. We built such close relationships over these last 2 and a half months and have made have become a family in a way. With the trip coming to an end, I’m super grateful to have met everyone on this trip – whether it’s our group or some of the lovely hosts and volunteers we’ve met along the way. It’s awesome to know I now have new friends all across the world and people I can hopefully see in the future.

How is the group? What’s the group dynamic like?

With this being our final week, we are all looking forward to getting back home and to continue on whatever other adventures are ahead of us. The group is loving every second with each other, enjoying jokes, and reflecting on past memories. It’s going to be a sad goodbye but we’re enjoying the last few days together.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

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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 their water source, conveniently named the source. As well as some weeding and walnut cracking. We enjoyed delicious food every day. Each meal we had was our new favorite meal. We enjoyed a pizza party our final night using their wood fire oven. They taught us all about the permaculture principles. We talked about how to apply them and incorporate them into a garden or community. We enjoyed their beautiful rooms with fireplaces and their gorgeous garden and koi pond. The last day, we performed a little drumming performance using patterns and skills from our previous circles.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

I enjoyed the food so much. Every meal was so delicious featuring a soup everyday accompanied with vegetables and bread. With some Greek specialities like dolmades and spanakopita. The chef, Bijan’s, cooking reminded me so much of my mom’s cooking, which gave me a lot of comfort and warm feelings. We never went hungry and couldn’t help but go back for seconds every time. One of our students – who’s attending culinary school in the fall – got to be his sous chef one day!

I loved being able to work in their garden and contribute to their community. The garden is so lush and beautiful it was very pleasant to be in. We got to see how much work and preparation goes into a garden and producing vegetables. It made me appreciate my other mom, who works on our garden at home on top of her full time job. As well as my mom who uses all the produce in her cooking.

During down time one afternoon, myself and another student went on a little walk to wander a bit. We stumbled on a view that was a 2-minute walk from the hangout. It was insanely gorgeous I couldn’t believe it. It overlooked a deep gorge with a river at the bottom. We were on a little edge covered in long green grass and wildflowers. We could see the whole upper valley covered in farms and trees. We were surrounded by mountains and protruding cliffs. It was there waiting the whole week but we had only found it the last afternoon.

What we’re looking forward to, going into next week: 

This coming week is student directed travel!!! We are all so excited for this. We go to the island of Aegina right outside of Athens. A few of us are excited to take the ferry there and have the opportunity to spend some time on a boat. I am excited for some much-needed beach time. We also have a few activities planned for us. On Friday, we are hoping to do a little morning hike to some archeological museums and then a pretty view at a light house. Afterwards we head to the beach!

Then, after Aegina, we head to Athens for a few days before we depart on our journey home. I am looking forward to having the chance to really come together and see all the planning we did come to life. I am also excited to see how we each individually handle it. It will be nice to spend the last week all together, although it is bittersweet we are going to have the best time and really celebrate these two months we have spent together. We really have experienced it all from the mountains to the beach and the cities in-between. We have truly backpacked Italy and Greece and soaked up and made the most of the limited time we had in each place.

Gratitude of the week:

I really like this question for this week. Every day, our morning meetings at Re-Green included a circle where we spoke about what we were most grateful for the prior day. We all had varying responses and it was so nice to hear what every individual is grateful for. It’s a really nice practice to introduce gratitude into ur everyday life.

This week I am grateful for a lot of things. I am grateful that I get to wake up in new and beautiful places everyday, that I have the privilege to be so young and to have had the experiences that I have, I am grateful for the beautiful communities that have welcomed us with open arms these past few weeks, for the beautiful connections we have made along the way, I am grateful for the mountains and for the beaches, and overall I am grateful for this group we have formed.

There are so many things I am feeling grateful for especially because our trip is coming to an end. I could probably write a whole page of things. This trip has been incredible for all of us. Someone who I am eternally grateful for is Curry who found most of the communities we stayed at and helped start this trip when it first started running. She seriously did an amazing job. Each place has been so different and equally as special.

We have learned a vast amount of things individually and as a group. We have grown inside and out. Challenged ourselves past our comfort zones and learned we are each capable of much more than we ever thought. I am grateful for our beautiful trek for showing me that I am a fantastic walker and that if I wanted to hike the Appalachian trail that is something within my reach. I am grateful for our drumming classes for showing me I am decently good at music. I feel I just keep on learning more and more things about myself on this trip due to others perspectives. We are unable to see ourselves from others perspectives and a lot of the time don’t realize things about ourselves that others do. I am grateful for the perspectives of others for helping me see that I am more than I thought I was.

There are so many beautiful things to be grateful for on this trip but I think I will cap it here. I am so grateful for this trip. It has been so much more than what I expected and I can’t believe it’s almost over.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

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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 a funky cool hostel with amazing staff (who let us keep some bags there until we return in 2 weeks!). Later on we trekked out to go see the Parthenon bright and early on national monuments day (who would’ve thought lol). Standing in-front of Parthenon is probably something I will never forget. We have witnessed so many places rich with historical significance on this trip. To walk where the people in our history books have walked. These key figures in human civilization.

Anyway, we each chose a place on the hill to tell the group about as we walked around which was very fun and gave us a fuller perspective on what we were seeing. We also saw Acropa-kitty! A tiny little cat who was just wandering around the ruins. Afterwards we went to the museum which was also fascinating. I especially enjoyed seeing the spaces left for the items still stuck at the British museum.

Later on, we had free time where we all got to choose whatever it was we wanted to do with our limited time in Athens. Within these free periods some of us went out to the contemporary art museum, others to the war museum, exploring the artsy neighborhoods, going to the flea market, checking out some old antique stores, or getting some delicious food. Athens is a special city. Its a place for explorers. There is so much stuff to find within this city if you set out with the intention to look. I personally love all the art. I find it so beautiful how the whole place is covered in art by some incredibly talented people. I am a person who loves and needs to be surrounded by creativity. So, Athens very much spoke to me.

Our group also went on a small hike together up to Lycabettus hill which is the highest point in all of Athens where we got to see the sprawling city in its entirety even see the mountains and ocean bordering it. Some people also went back at night to go watch the sunset. The last activity we did as a group was go to a little jazz bar!! The music was great and we all had the chance to get mock-tails. It was the perfect end to our stay in Athens. Now we are currently on the bus to re-green!!

What were the top highlights of the week? 

Celebrating Easter in Crete, going to the Acropolis, and going out and listening to live jazz while in Athens. Starting on Friday and ending on Monday there were Easter celebrations. During our Greek lesson we had earlier in the week we dyed eggs red, then played a traditional egg game where we hit the ends of the eggs together and which ever one didn’t break won. On Friday night, a few of us went to the church in town to go to Easter service, then on Saturday night we all went down to Ierapetra to go to the big Easter celebration. That night a few went to Easter service and all through out the streets there were small homemade fireworks going off. It was so cool being able to celebrate Easter there. We got to learn so much about the history of the holiday and experience it first hand. We also had an amazing Easter lunch that was delicious.

On Tuesday we walked over to the Acropolis, luckily it was national monuments day, so we were able to get in for free. The Acropolis was so cool and while we were there we saw Acropa-kitty!

During our last night in Athens we went to a cute little place that was just a short walk away from the hostel. There we listened to live jazz music and sipped on mocktails. Mara’s friend also joined us that night and it was so nice getting to know her.

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

Something the group was challenged by this week was the change of place. We spent the the last few days in Athens, the first big city we’ve been to in Greece. While there we’ve been able to see the differences between the major cities in Greece and Italy. The food here has also been different, but the culture and care around it hasn’t changed. A few of us are still accidentally saying Italian greetings and we are getting Italian and Greek mixed up, but we get a good laugh out of it. Hopefully our Greek gets better as we spend more time here.

What has surprised you about your host community, culture, or destination?

Something that was surprising was how welcoming our host community was. Our time in Crete overlapped with Easter. In Greece, Easter is a super big holiday, the kids have two weeks off school, it is like their Christmas. While we were staying in Crete, the family that was cooking for us stayed that weekend and made us a traditional Easter meals. It was so nice of them to prepare those meals for us on the holiday and it added so much to the experience. A few of their family members came to the village to celebrate with them. Their sense of hospitality was amazing and even though they didn’t know us that well, we felt well cared for by them.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Crete to Athens: The Easter Holiday with New Friends appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

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 bed excited for the possibilities of Greece. The next day we started off with 3 hours of Greek language class. We studied the alphabet and pronunciation. We played games to test our Greek skills. After lunch, we went for a walking tour of the village led by Xeno, where we saw views of the mountains and beautiful old churches.

The next 2 days were a similar structure. Greek class in the mornings and walk or activity in the afternoon. On the second day we drove to the nearby town, Ierapetra, in the afternoon, to do a ceramics workshop with Alex the Potter and to explore the town for a bit. On our last day of class, we learned about the Greek Orthodox Easter traditions. We dyed eggs red and learned traditional dances. One of our favorite traditions was a game you play with the dyed eggs. You pair up, each person getting one egg, and smack the eggs together. Whichever egg cracks loses and the last egg standing is the winner.

Then, that afternoon, we went to the beach and finally got a chance to swim in the ocean, which was amazing. The water in Crete is so blue! We also met an archaeologist, Carly, who taught us about the ancient peoples on Crete, the Minoans. The next day was a busy one because we drove all the way to Heraklion to see an archaeological site and a museum. It was one of my favorite parts of the stay in Crete, and we got to learn more about what Carly taught us. We were surprised to see 5 peacocks as we got to the archaeological site, just sitting on the ruins, in trees, even one right in the middle of the square.

The next day, we went with Carly to see more archaeological sites, including one that she dug at. In the afternoon, we went to a fishing village right on the ocean to eat lunch and swim again, then went back to Alex the potter’s to paint and glaze our art. On Thursday we went for a hike through the gorge beneath our village. We drove down to the beginning of the path and hiked up the mountain to get to the waterfalls and walked through a stream of freezing water up to a beautiful gorge, then walked back and headed down to the beach for a relaxing afternoon.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

Spending time on the beaches and enjoying the sun.

The food that the local taverna served to us (’twas absolutely scrumptious).

Witnessing the craziness of Greek Easter, and eating the spitted lamb and pork.

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

Something the group was challenged by this week was sickness. As we traveled to Crete, multiple of us in the group picked up an illness that left us unable to participate in group activities. This was definitely a challenge for the group, though Crete was probably the best place it could have happened, as we had ample time to rest and it was our longest stay in one place at any point in the trip so we didn’t miss too much.

What’s on the agenda for next week? 

During the next week, we will be finishing our last few days in Crete and then flying to Athens. There we will spend four days engaging in Greek culture and going to places like the Acropolis. After Athens we will be traveling to a permaculture farm called ReGreen, where we will be probably be doing permaculture stuff. We are looking forward to exploring Athens, visiting the famous historical sites, and eating delicious foods.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Arrival in Greece! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

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 cold nights and thankfully woke up to some very warm fires. After our first full day there, Colm started to put us to work and it was very enjoyable, because there were multiple different volunteer activities that we got to choose from. We did so much, from gardening, cleaning up a 14th century wall, working on a house, gathering firewood, and building a fence.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

For me the first one was capture the flag. While at Paladini, we played a big game of capture the flag with most of the campsite. The boundaries were pretty much the whole property and it was super fun because we could run through the woods and the whole property. It was something I hadn’t played in a long time so it was really fun to get moving and play a team game again.

My second thing would be all of the time we spent around the campfire in Paladini. Every night – and even sometimes during the day – we would all sit around the campfire with the volunteers there and our group and do everything from eat meals, play games, and play the guitar. It was really fun to hangout as a group around a fire, talk, and chill. It reminded me of camping with my family when I was younger, which are really great memories.

For me I think my other top highlight would be our last night in Italy. It was a really fun day as we went to the Vatican and did a tour there but the final dinner was my most memorable meal this trip. We went to a very fun nice restaurant where the workers were really nice and kept bringing us food. It was amazing food and we had such a fun time as we talked about our time in Italy and what we were going to miss and what we enjoyed most while there. Also, at one point, a man came in playing the accordion which was very memorable and a great way to end our last day in Italy.

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

I think a big adjustment and somewhat of a challenge for the group was staying in the cold at Paladini. We have experienced the cold before in places like Sora, but considering we were camping and had an outdoor toilet, it was a big difference for us. Even with the fire at times it would be very cold. The hardest thing for me was simple but doing the dishes. It seems simple but we didn’t have hot water so doing the dishes in already cold weather and then the water being freezing tended to be a big struggle. Overall we pushed through it but it was hard without proper heating here and there.

A little gratitude for the week: 

I am most grateful for the community/family that we were very graciously accepted into at Paladini. Since our long travel day to get there, it felt like once we arrived we had found our second home, surrounded by amazing and helpful people. I loved the late nights with the volunteers, Claire singing, and the lovely vibes around the fire. Altogether, the vibes, the fire, our second home, and the community is something that we’re all grateful for.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Paladini & Our Final Week in Italy appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Aiden & Naomi, Italy & Greece Semester Students 

After sadly ending our stay in Florence, we made our way to Gambassi Terme to begin our Via Francigena Trek!! That afternoon we met Lauren, our guide for the trek, and prepared to begin our journey.

Lauren guided us the beginning of the hike as we walked through the nearby town, noting all the via Francigena signs and painted pilgrims in the road. The first day of the trek was 8.5 miles through beautiful hilly tuscan countrysides, the view of San Gimignano guiding us as we walked. We passed through miles of olive fields, horse pastures, and the occasional small town, and stopped at a church to eat our lunch.

As we were getting our Via Francigena stamps, we noticed photos on the wall from when that church had been bombed during WWII, which was really interesting to see. After lunch, we hiked some more and then stopped at a monastery to do a creative writing activity before walking the final stretch to San Gimignano. San Gimignano is also known as the “Manhattan of medieval times” because of its skyscrapers that were upwards of 20 stories tall. Since then, however, the skyscrapers have been shortened by about half to protect them from crumbling due to their age. San Gimignano is also known for having “the best gelato in the world”, as the shop Gelateria Dondoli won awards from 2006-2008. Our group, however, did not agree with that.

On the second day, we had much less hiking to do. We started the day off with a walk back to San Gimignano to catch a bus to a replica of a medieval town. We learned about how a medieval dominus and his village would have lived. We tried on chainmail, threw spears, and tried to defend an attack from an enemy.

After walking back down to the nearby town, we got ready to hike to our second destination, Colle di val d’Elsa. We did a silent hike there, about an hour and a half of reflection, which was one of the group’s favorite parts of the hike. That night, we ate much-anticipated burgers and fries for dinner.

On the third day, we had another 8.5 mile day through the countryside, but this time it was much flatter, through beautiful plains where the grass blew in the wind as if we were in a Studio Ghibli movie. We stayed that night in an abbey that has been there since the Via Francigena was originally made.

The next day was our final day. We started off with a 40-minute walk to the nearest town, and took a bus to Siena where we spent the rest of the day walking around the new city. Our OE Ariana spent time in Siena a few years ago, so she showed us around the city and talked all the about the Palio, a long-standing horse race that brings together every citizen of Siena to the square twice a year. The 17 neighborhoods of Siena draw from a lottery to see who gets to compete, and there are parties and fights through the summer between them all. Ariana even gave us a quiz to assign us a neighborhood that fit each of our personalities. We spent that evening at a campground, staying in mobile homes, and the next day set off for Paladini!

What were the top highlights of the week? 

After walking around and exploring Siena a bit, a couple of us wandered into a tea room under a staircase. It was eclectic and wonderful, it was the perfect end to a travel day.

Shortly after our arrival to Paladini we discovered one of the dogs gave birth to puppies three weeks ago! It was the best surprise ever. Definitely the favorite of all the furry friends we have encountered so far. There are 4 total, 2 black, 2 cream. One was already named Oreo and we continued with the food themed and named the other three: Burrito, Noodle and Bean.

On the second to last day on the trek we ended our day at an abbey we were sleeping at. After we got settled in a bit, we looked out the window and saw the most beautiful sunset overlooking the old church and the castle town in the background surrounded by green fields and flowers.

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

I think that all of us had our own challenges during the trek. Some of us hike more than others so finding our pace as a group took a day or two. After all, 25 miles is a lot for anyone. Some had blisters, some had back pain, others backpacks were too heavy or shoes didn’t fit right. Despite the challenges I think we did well in regards to keeping our spirits up and staying optimistic. It was very beautiful throughout the 25 miles which I believe aided our spirits. We went alongside and across rivers, up and down hills and through fields. Nearly the entire time we were accompanied by the sights of the Tuscan countryside including the classic Italian cypress trees and vineyards with an occasional church or monastery.

What are we looking forward to in the coming weeks? 

Next week is our stay at Paladini camping! We’re looking forward to cooking, hiking, and spending time around the campfire. Nearby the campground is a medieval road that leads to a beautiful bridge with a swimming area underneath, which we are hoping to visit if it’s sunny enough. There is also a famous pizzeria about a 20 minute walk up the hill that the volunteers have told us is incredible. All in all, this has been an amazing week and we’re super excited for the week to come!

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Trekking the Via Francigena across Tuscany! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Laura and Jonah, Italy & Greece Semester Students 

This week we finished up our stay at Panta Rei, and went to Florence. In Panta Rei, we helped give back to the community by picking up any trash around the property that we could find. We also made some challah for us and the community, which they loved. During our last day on Panta Rei we had quick Yoga class lead by Chiara. Chiara’s kids also joined us during our last few days there. They were so fun to be around and brought o much joy to the community. We then left for Florence on Monday morning. While there we went to to shops and spent lots of money on clothes, and had a walking tour of Florence that started in the Square of the Republic and ended at the Academia and the Statue of David. Then we went to Orti Dipinti, an educational garden where we learned to make tea by picking the herbs from around the garden. The next day we went back to the garden and made smudge sticks, a magical healing balm, and herb salts (which we hopefully will be bringing back home). After that, we had lunch with Curry at the garden. Curry made all of the contacts and created the Italy and Greece program. We were able to tell her about all the wonderful experiences we have had so far as well as give her some constructive criticism. She also talked about joy in the sense that it is an energy and how it has shown up in our lives both while on the program and while back at home. Then we went off to the Uffizi, where among other things we saw the birth of Venus. Then we went to the Medici Chapel, where we saw many expensive looking things, including a showcase showing off a skull. The next day we took a bus up to Fiesole Hill to go wine tasting. We went to a property on the hill that grew olives and grapes. There we tried fresh wine and olive oil, as well as home made brownies and a few other snacks that were prepared for us. We also got to hear about the process involved with growing and making both wine and olive oil.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

Three of the top highlights of this week were walking around Florence, as it is a beautiful city, going up to the Fiesole hills and seeing the wonderful view of Florence and the Tuscan countryside, and going to that WHITE BOAR RESTAURANT!!! The White Boar was special to Jonah because he went there last time he was in Florence with his family.

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

We were challenged to be able to communicate with each other in a way that is both healthy and creates spaces for us to be vulnerable and have deep conversations. Though we are close to being half way done with the program, all of our days have been filled with amazing activities, but as individuals we haven’t had a chance or have created a space to have deep and meaningful conversations. We have had a few deep conversations with each other in group facilitated actives, but we haven’t had much besides that.

Other challenges included not impulse buying clothes, although it happened anyways. There are so many great vintage shops we often get sucked into and are filled with so many amazing things.

What are we looking forward to in the coming weeks? 

Next week we will be hiking the Via Francigena, which is the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. We will only be hiking a small portion of it, but it should be beautiful and we are expecting our feet to fall off by the time the week of hiking ends! We plan on trek for three days the first and third day we will walk 8.5 miles and the second we will walk 4. During the trek we will stay at different camping sites and abbeys at night and luckily our big bags will be shuttled from place to place. That’s all for this week! Thanks for tuning in and see you next week for a little hiking excursion!! Buh-bye!!!

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Florence, the Uffizi, & the White Boar appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Cat and Henry, Italy & Greece Semester Students 

We spent this week at Centro Panta Rei. On Monday we embark by train towards Florence. We are all looking forward to being back in a city! We can’t wait to see and walk around the beautiful city of Florence and taste the world’s most recognized and flavorful wine. But we will wish a bittersweet goodbye to our beloved farm as we trade in the Italian rural slow paced life for the big city.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

This week we visited a few of Rome’s outstanding historic structures; The Colosseum, Arch of Constantino, and The Trevi Fountain. Our group was given a guided walking tour which showcased The Colosseum, The Arch of Constantino and a tour around Rome, where we saw our friends from Sora!

The Colosseum was once a bloody and gruesome amphitheater with 76 gates for the general public to enter through, each member of the public had a coin-like shaped disc that was their identification and told them which gate to enter through. Which made me personally feel like I was Russel Crowe in The Gladiator.

The Arch of Constantino, is a beautiful structure seeing how the ground of today is lower than the structure itself. Including, the stone carvings and the writing within the Arch itself is something truly remarkable.

We can’t forget about The Trevi Fountain, knowing that all of these structures were made by hand before we had any of the tools/equipment that we do today is astonishing. The statues that involve horses with wings, men with robes and angles blowing trumpets, it is all truly remarkable. After, walking through the Colosseum, The Arch of Constantino, and The Trevi Fountain these three astonishing historical structures is something that is more than memorable.

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

This week we unfortunately had to say goodbye to one of our beloved group members. We are currently adjusting to the new group dynamic without her. This will be a challenge as we will all miss her dearly. We now pick up as a group of 7 for the next coming weeks of our program. We support her in her decision to do what is best for her and we wish her safe travels as she departs back home.

What are you grateful for this week? 

This week I am most grateful for the beautiful community we have been brought into at Centro Panta Rei. Panta Rei is an educational farm, agricultural cooperative, and a center for environmental education and an experimentation for sustainable development. It is the largest bio-structure in Italy built according to the principles of green building. Mainly present in the architecture: raw earth, lake reeds and straw. We actually got the chance to rebuild a wall using these priciples! The water comes directly from the source and is purified by phytoremediation. We even did a scavenger hunt throughout the property to help us learn more about their systems.

Throughout this week we have been shown how to build with the earth, using the materials present all around us. Panta Rei is a living, breathing organism, influenced by the current inhabitants. In the beginning of the week, our educational facilitators here were Tom and Chiara both of whom really made an impact on our group with their infectious energy and passion for the community at Panta Rei. We spoke to Tom about his passion for surfing and spent many nights singing and dancing with Chiara. Instantly we felt as if we were just as vital a part of the community as the people who have been there for years. We participated in late night jam sessions, had a karaoke night, learned how to salsa dance, made pizzas, went on beautiful hikes, and played with the farms 13 cats and 3 dogs. (Let’s just say animals at any place are a main highlight for this group!)

Later on in the week, Tom had to leave us to go back to the UK to work as an English teacher but we were joined by another volunteer, Mauro, who has been just as incredble as everyone else here. Mauro taught us how to collect wood which we later on used as wood to heat the oven for our pizzas.

Overall, I am feeling grateful for everything this week. I am grateful for the time I get to spend here with the group that we have. I am grateful for the many people and places we get to share temporary connections with. I am grateful for the community our group has built together. I am grateful for the earth and the beautiful weather it has been gifting us with and lastly I am grateful to just be here.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Roma and Centro Panta Rei! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Tai & Naomi, Student Leaders of the Week 

This last week we were staying outside of a beautiful town called Matera. We were staying on a working farm called La Masseria La Fiorita. The farm had everything from horses and cows to rabbits and chickens. When we arrived we met 2 volunteers and another woman who worked on the farm. They were from Austria, Tunisia, and Reunion Island off of Madagascar. It was very interesting to meet 3 women from such different places and learn all about them and their cultures. Our first day there was filled with name-games and other fun activities to get to know the volunteers better, which were all entertaining. After some games, we went into the town of Matera to do some much needed laundry. While there, we did a fun scavenger hunt-like game where we split into 2 teams and had to go around the town finding answers to questions and taking pictures at some of the city’s most famous locations. Although I thought my group had won, we ended in a much-anticipated tie… We took that time to get some different food as we have been mainly eating pasta – which although amazing – is a lot to have over and over, so we got some poke which was a nice refresher.

We also spent a few days on the farm doing some farm work and building some fun new additions for the farm. We built 2 small bird houses and – something that was new to me – a bug hotel (a combination of some wooden crates filled with different plants and wood to hopefully house bugs.) Those were really fun activities as we got some hands on work with tools and building stuff which was new for some of us. We also had a morning working with the animals and cleaning up their areas. Although it was fun, it was hard work shoveling and cleaning out their pens, but was a fun experience. We spent a lot of time at the farm doing other fun activities including cooking for the group, whether it was burgers or pasta and meatballs; it was always a treat to cook and eat with the group and volunteers.

On our final few days we spent some time in another close-by city called Altamura. We spent time with a local group of Italian students who were looking to improve their English and learning about our culture and vice versa. One day, we split up and went to the students’ families’ houses for lunch which was definitely an experience. I met a set a of twins, their cousin, their parents, their younger sister, their grandmother, and their aunt and uncle; so it was definitely an experience. Oh, and I can’t forget that the food was amazing! We also spent a day at their study space and did a culture immersion event where we planned 3 different stations to teach them about our culture. One of them was a dance station where some people showed them some American dances, such as line dancing. One was a station of jeopardy with the questions all being about America whether it was sports or just the general geography. And the final station was teaching the students about American slang. Long story short- we had a blast and an amazing week.

What were the top highlights of the week? 

Sassi: This week we explored Materas iconic old town; the Sassi. Once the shame of Italy, Matera has brought new life into the city making it the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Built into natural limestone cliff faces, old buildings sit precariously near the edge. Through the small winding streets you have a view of the Gravina di Matera.

Life on the Farm: For the week we stayed at La Masseria La Fiorita, 15 minutes outside of Matera. We explored life on the farm. We met all the animals and thoroughly enjoyed the 4 farm cats that seemed to enjoy our company as well. We used fresh vegetables and dairy products from the farm itself.

Exploring in nature: Later in the week we hiked through the previously viewed Gravina with a beautiful view of the Sassi. We were led through old caves and rock churches tucked into the hillside. With an abundance of yellow flowers we can sense that spring is well on its way!

Our transformations are never without challenges – what was most challenging for the group this week? 

This week I could sense that the group is having a hard time settling into the demand of the schedule. Majority of the group graduated high school almost a year ago. We may need a bit of an adjustment period becoming accustomed to a full day of activities. Without the comfort of returning home at the end of the day. Not to say we aren’t enjoying ourselves. It’s been an adjustment to have such full days while sharing a living space.

What are you grateful for this week? 

Something I’ve been very grateful for these last few weeks is being in a group again. I can’t speak for everyone else but I hadn’t been doing too much the last few months leading up to the trip and had primarily been at home with my family. Being able to be with a group again and always having someone to talk to has been something I’ve loved again and haven’t fully had it since school last year for me. Whether it’s just sharing a room and having small talks with people before heading off to bed or even just having people to talk to at meals its quite refreshing for me. I’ve also been extremely grateful to have a group that’s starting to get really close and having a space where we can be very open with each other. Don’t get me wrong I love my family and loved having them to talk to but it’s nice to meet new people and be able to spend a long period of time with them and get closer and closer as the trip goes on and I can’t wait for more of it.

Until next time, Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester! 

The post Matera, Italy & our Farmstay at La Masseria La Fiorita appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educator, Ariana

The Italy and Greece program is off to a great start! We landed in Rome and after a day of planes, trains, and automobiles we made it to Sora. Since arriving we’ve explored the countryside, done yoga, made pasta and gnocchi, and started our orientation activities. Our host Antonello has been amazing and the crew of volunteers here has warmly welcomed us with delicious food. We’re getting to know one another and can’t wait for this adventure of a semester.

Our Top Three Highlights of the Week: 

Gnocchi & pasta making class – Our group learned how to make pasta this week, starting with nothing but flour and water. Since then we’ve made gnocchi and even learned how to make cheese from a local shepherd.

Italian exchange – This week our students have taken several Italian classes and had the opportunity to put their new found skills to the test during a school exchange. We visited a linguistics focused high school and shared a morning exploring Sora with local Italian students. They shared their favorite pizza place with us along with a history of the town!

Italian Pastries – After a group hike we visited a favorite local pastry shop and tried treats like cannoli and sfogliattele. Did you know cannolo is actually the singular version of cannoli?

But transformation always comes with opportunities for growth: What were our main challenges this week? 

This week the group has pushed themselves to try new physical activities! We tried yoga classes at the yoga chalet and also fit in a few hikes in the rolling Italian hills.

As a group, we discussed how we’re most grateful for a safe arrival in Italy and a warm welcome from everyone at the Italy farm stay!

Until next time! Spring 2023 Italy & Greece Semester

The post Ciao! Our First Week in Italy! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Italy and Greece students have arrived in Rome and are making their way to their first accommodation – a farm stay where they’ll participate in orientation with their expert leaders, Mara and Ariana. So excited to see what’s in store for this group of adventurers!

The post Safely arrived in Italy! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Central America Semester: “Gettin’ Giddy for Guate!”

Greetings from Portland! Abby and Matt here, your Central America OE’s reporting from a cute corner cafe in Portland! We are wrapping up our preparations for an awesome upcoming 10 weeks! Today we participated in a Carpe Diem scavenger hunt around Portland, and in the process have continued learning about and getting to know one another – for example, Abby learned that Matt is both left handed and colorblind (poor Matt!) and Matt has learned that Abby minored in Spanish and History in college, and is a tea enthusiast!

We are getting super excited for all of the adventures, growth and learning that is about to happen! Abby is most excited to see Lago Atitlan at sunrise, while Matt is most excited to talk more about Guatemalan history and culture! We hope you all have your own unique highlights that you are looking forward to and preparing to experience

We are also getting super excited (and yes,a little bit nervous!) to meet all of you, our students! Soon we will all be getting to know one another in the land of tortillas, chicken buses and volcanoes! Until then, we hope you are finishing up all final preparations and getting hyped yourselves!

Some last-minute tips for packing:

As with many things in life, less is more! Remember that you will have to carry all of your things, so pack light!

It will occasionally be a bit chillier than you are likely anticipating – we will be staying at some altitude after all! A good sweatshirt or jacket will be greatly appreciated.

Don’t forget a journal! We will be doing all sorts of reflective activities and discussions, and we will be encouraging all of you to put some of your thoughts and feelings down onto paper!

Financial stuff – make sure you have a card you can use at an ATM! Cash is king in many places that we will be going, and exchanging dollars can be complicated. Also remember to notify your bank of when/where you will be abroad so that they don’t block your card.

No sleeping bag is required for this trip! You are welcome to bring one if you want, but we will always have access to either beds or rented sleeping bags.

Aloha Semester: E Komo Mai!

Aloha from your Overseas Educators Forrest and Fiona! We look forward to welcoming you to Maui in the coming week. As you descend into Kahului, watch for Mauna Kea and Haleakala mountains.

We shared a few packing tips at our last meeting, but here are a few more:

Forrest: Bring extra batteries and sun protection.

Fiona: Please do not bring any sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Source mineral based zinc sunscreen. Anything that can be purchased at Walgreen’s and Costco can be topped up throughout the semester. Please consider bringing a small gift representative of your home to share with guests, such as small amounts of maple syrup or pieces of art.

Co-leader trivia – did you know that…?

Forrest: I have been a carnie in two countries.

Fiona: I am teaching myself to spin wool.

What excites us for the coming semester?

Forrest: I am super excited to see whales.

Fiona: I have never been to Maui! I look forward to meeting all our hosts.

That’s all for now. Take care, a hui hou.

Italy & Greece Semester: Ciao at tutti! 

Ariana and Mara here reporting from Portland! We’re very excited to meet you all soon and get started on this epic adventure! We’re looking forward to getting to know each of you better and wanted to share a bit about ourselves beforehand.

Here are some fun facts about us, take a guess which one of your leaders each piece of trivia applies to! Answers at the bottom 🙂

1) Who has Greek heritage?
Ariana
Mara
Both

2) Who grew up competitively Irish dancing?
Ariana
Mara
Both

3) Who has previously led programs in Hawai’i and Europe?
Ariana
Mara
Both

4) Who has a degree in theater?
Ariana
Mara
Both

5) Who seeks out live music at every opportunity she has?
Ariana
Mara
Both

6) Who has a cat named Coconut?
Ariana
Mara
Both

ANSWER KEY: 1) Both; 2) Ariana; 3) Both; 4) Mara; 5) Mara; 6) Ariana

Before we see you in NYC we wanted to share a few tips and tricks to help you get ready.

Remember to save some space in your bag and make use of packing cubes when in doubt!

Leave your favorite items at home and bring multi purpose items that you don’t mind getting a little wear and tear over the course of the semester.

If you haven’t already tried out your hiking boots, take them for a walk before the trip! You’ll be glad to have them a little worn in before our trek.

Finally, ensure you have a spare change of clothes and any prescription medications in your carry on bag just in case of any luggage delays when we arrive in Rome!

We’re excited to see you all and can’t wait to share the wonders of Greek and Italian history, culture, and cuisine with you soon!

Southeast Asia Semester (Carpe Mundi): Shining Light on a Gray Day

Carpe Mundi is coming full circle. Soumya and Carol met in 2019 when Carol started at Carpe Mundi full time and Soumya started as an Americorps Vista for the year. Now, they are leading PDXChange’s Pon Lue Cohort to Cambodia and Thailand. A lot has changed between then and now, but their love for Portland, exploration, equity and inclusion has not.

Here are some hot, cold, and tepid tips that they have learned over the years about travel:
Unless you are particular about your body products you can find what you need there except menstrual supplies
Bring half as much and twice as much money
Pack a pair of clothes in your carry on

Also— even if you’ve know each other for a long time, (the pandemic doubles years so it’s been a while) there’s still more to learn about each other. Here’s some things we learned chatting, laughing, and tripping around Mississippi and Albina.

1. Soumya thinks she might be growing a mullet. (she says she IS growing a mullet.)
2. Soumya possesses an intuitive compass and Carol is envious.
3. A true treat for Soumya is French fries and always kombucha.
4. If Soumya trips in front of a property she is likely to buy it. (According to her mom).

1. Carol’s handwriting is eerily similar to Soumya’s sister.
2. Say the word booger to see Carol laugh so hard she cannot really make a sound. Thanks Alberto from the 4th grade.
3. Carol doesn’t like when people talk over each other. Also you can laugh at? With? Around Carol to make her smile.

We are so excited to hear our students jam out and see how they are inspired by the musical stylings of Thai and Cambodian music. We can’t wait to see them soak up the wonder of ancient civilization, beautiful architecture and also become increasingly aware of what it means to care about the climate issues far away from ‘home.’

Also, did we mention we look forward to laughing heartily?

The post Meet your 2023 Overseas Educators! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written by Megan

That’s all, folks! The Terra group has been back home for almost 2 weeks, adjusting back to the normal pace of daily life. Did we really just do all that we did? Whatever motivated each student to step on that plane on September 15th and fly to a foreign country with complete strangers, we applaud them! It takes courage to do what others aren’t doing- to walk your own path. Many expressed that this gap semester went above and beyond their expectations.

Let’s reflect on all that we did:

We stayed on an organic farm for a week in Umbria in a village of 14 people, where we harvested grapes, milked a cow, made fresh mozzarella and a homemade pizza in an authentic Italian brick oven.

We ran around Rome and learned about a few thousand years worth of history, and devoured countless plates of pasta and consumed countless cups of cappuccinos.

We trekked 40 miles across a centuries-old trail that had been followed by pilgrims from Canterbury to Vatican City.

We explored one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Florence, and stood in awe of the Renaissance and Gothic architecture.

We picked and roasted chestnuts, herded farm animals, lived off the land, and met international travelers with whom we journaled, created, laughed, cried, hugged.

We traveled by bus, train, and subway to southern Italy, where we learned how to make fresh olive oil, soap, pasta from scratch, and challenged ourselves to come together as a group.

We lived on Crete and studied ancient archaeology, Greek language and dancing, cooked with locals, and honed our pottery skills.

We lost a leader we loved. We gained a leader we loved.

We jetsetted to Athens, walked in the footsteps of the Greek gods and ancient philosophers and celebrated birthdays.

We retreated to the mountains of Seliana, where we were nurtured with warmth and kindness, organic food for our bodies and souls, and learned about permaculture, composting, living a minimalistic life, and how to stay conscientious of our carbon footprint.

We road-tripped across the Peloponnese peninsula and enjoyed our last stops in Olympia, Kalamata, and Nafplio, where we visited our final farms- a honey farm and an orange farm- raced at the original site of the Olympics, and scaled the walls of a medieval fortress.

We learned how to be better human beings and how to take care of this fragile planet.

All this in less than 10 weeks??? The growth each of us experienced has been exponential. The change in all of us will last a lifetime. Fourteen adventurers began on a journey and traveled over 1,000 miles through Italy and Greece. We started as strangers, and we ended as a family. We first become travelers; then we become storytellers.

Well done, Terra! We are beyond proud of you. Ciao for now, until we meet again. Now you have your own stories to tell.

The post Ciao for Now! appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.

Written By Bella

After our time at Re-green, we spent this final week directing ourselves around the Peloponnese region of Greece. Our first stop was Olympia, where we leaned about the ancient ruins, artifacts, the Olympics, and the Temple of Zeus followed by a race on the ancient track. We also had the opportunity to check out an amazing honey farm where we learned the process of bee boxes and how the bees produced honey. Next we spent time in Kalamata and had our very own Friendsgiving, each house making a dish for the occasion. From there m, we headed to our last stop, a small beach town called Nafplion which was the original capital of Greece. Our time there was filled with shopping, exploring the fortress of Palamidi, and a dinner by the sea shore. The group then learned a wonderful lesson led by Megan about background and privilege. The group decided to have one final visit to a beautiful orange tree farm, where the smell of homemade orange cinnamon cookies filled the air, alongside freshly squeezed orange juice from the orchard. To end our successful student directed travel week, the group spent one last night in Athens filled with giggles, quality time, and a wonderful group dinner. We would depart for home the following day, experiencing the bittersweet emotions of leaving one another but grateful for all the beautiful memories made.

Much love,

Terra Group 2022

The post Peloponnese Adventures and Gratitude appeared first on International Gap Year Programs | Carpe Diem Education.