FINAL DAYS OF STUDENT DIRECTED TRAVEL

FINAL DAYS OF STUDENT DIRECTED TRAVEL

APRIL 9, 2019 | LEUM DTAA COHORT | SOUTHEAST ASIA - LEUM DTAA

The challenges from studying abroad has molded us in many different aspects that allowed us to grow. The group bonded with others, ate new unique foods, faced and overcame challenges and saw beautiful Cambodian and Thailand scenery. The group and I are ready to go home and see our loving family, friends and loved ones but we also really want a break from the scorching heat! We had a blast studying abroad and are excited to share our stories of adventure with our families. 

BANGKOK AND KOH TAO

BANGKOK AND KOH TAO

APRIL 9, 2019 | LEUM DTAA COHORT | SOUTHEAST ASIA - LEUM DTAA

Marine Conservation program helps preserve marine life through creating artificial reefs and bring awareness to the ocean. Their slogan is (Our ocean, our responsibility). We were taught by the three awesome teachers who made our three days unforgettable experience. Their name were Elle, Spencer and Crissy. Overall we went snorting at Tanot where we saw baby sharks and Shark Bay. We helped built artificial reefs and care for turtles. On our last evening we had a special surprised planned for our OEs. We met up on the beach shore and have a small fire going. First we went around and gave our individual gratitude to show our appreciation and love for them. Afterward we sung them a song written by the group which made them emotional. Lastly we toped it off with a small meaningful gift. We got emotional for a bit. Afterward we decided to have a dance party along the beach. Toper got his speaker. Then Nolan surprised us with sprinkler firework. We took badass photos. We kept dancing until we were tired and we laid on the sand admired the stars. Realizing we are almost finish with the program and will be back in Portland in a week.

Fun with the Fog - Environmental Week

Fun with the Fog - Environmental Week

APRIL 9, 2019 | SALAAM OVERSEAS EDUCATORS | SPAIN & MOROCCO - SALAAM

Written By Tori

The first day we were supposed to hike Mt. Boutmezguida to see the nets collect the fog, but it was raining. Instead, we were put into a jeep and small groups were driven up to the mountain to the nets. Gina, Kate, and Eliana were enjoying their time hiking when a hailstorm started. Luckily, the jeep came to save them. The upside of the rain was we were the first group to witness the fog harvesting in action! We all gathered around the nets and asked questions about the project before hiking down the mountain to have lunch. During lunch, Vanesia lead the group in asking questions to the beneficiaries of the fog project to see how having direct water supply has affected their lives. One example was how young girls could stay in school and continue their education because they no longer were needed at home to travel to gather water from the wells.

Time In Udaipur

Time In Udaipur

APRIL 9, 2019 | SHANTI OVERSEAS EDUCATORS | INDIA- SHANTI

Written By Olivia

The following day we each had our own small adventures and plenty of naps, and then we visited the garbage dump of Udaipur. It was shocking to see the mass amounts of human waste as organic matter would sporadically catch fire and the smell of burnt plastic filled the air. It made us all think heavily on our own habits of consumption as we pointed out what waste could have been created by us. Even in the dump there was connected life though, humans living and sorting through trash for metal bits and cloth to sell, and fields of abandoned cows fat off of plastic. We’ve become more aware, and all hope in our separate ways that we may bring that awareness home with us.

Home stays in Jhadol

Home stays in Jhadol

APRIL 8, 2019 | SHANTI OVERSEAS EDUCATORS | INDIA- SHANTI

Written By Olivia

We spent the last four days partially at an educational NGO in the desert and partially at beautiful home stays in an Adivasi village about a five minute walk through the sand. My feet were perpetually covered in dust, and then after trying to wash my feet I realized they weren’t actually (that) dirty, only tan from the sun and our outside adventures. Our home stay parents in the village were amazing. None of us could communicate too clearly through our language barriers, but we communicated through laughter and smiles. Amiah, Kari, and Charlotte stayed with the village head (Amiah was ill for the first day, but made it through sheer will-power to stay with her family the next day, and farm with us!). Georgia and Owen stayed with their mom Leelah-bhai, and Zevi and I with Nakkia-bhai and Debbie-lal, though Debbie-lal was out of town working on setting up tents for events. All of our parents were very kind, and welcomed us warmly.

Transition From Thailand To Cambodia

Transition From Thailand To Cambodia

APRIL 5, 2019 | SABAI OVERSEAS EDUCATORS | SOUTHEAST ASIA- SABAI

Written By Jess & Jackie

Hello!

During the past 2 weeks, Sabai 2019 has been finishing up our travels in Thailand and beginning our adventures in Cambodia!

We began our Cambodian adventure 4 days ago in Siem Reap and finally saw Angkor Wat this morning (at 6 am…). While the temples were breathtaking in the morning sun, one of my favorite experiences so far has been our visit to EGBOK, a nonprofit that trains poor, young Cambodians to work in the booming hospitality industry. The second we stepped on EGBOK’s campus, we were welcomed by 50+ smiling and waving 18-24 year olds. After a tour of the school, we learned how to make lotus flower decorations, were gifted scarves, ate spring rolls that we made, and snacked on bugs and snakes!

Plum Village Meditation Center

Plum Village Meditation Center

APRIL 5, 2019 | LEUM DTAA COHORT | SOUTHEAST ASIA - LEUM DTAA

By Loida Pat

After Spending a day and a half of exploring the big city of Bangkok, we left to Plum Village. Plum Village is a Vietnamese meditation center created in Thailand by Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a very famous for teaching Zen Buddhism, which is basically mindfulness. Mostly everyone was pretty excited to go on this retreat where we would learn mindfulness and get time to be on our own and just relax without thinking so much of the future. When we arrived to Plum village we were received by a grey cloudy sky and the oh so beautiful rain. To us the rain was a blessing to all the nuns and monks it was not. It was so cute although there was barely any rain compared to what we get in Portland, they were running around with their umbrellas. Our first day was very confusing, we literally broke most of the rules on our first day but we ended up learning by observing others. 

A Week From A to Z

A Week From A to Z

APRIL 3, 2019 | SALAAM OVERSEAS EDUCATORS | SPAIN & MOROCCO - SALAAM

Written By Vanesia

Salaam! Welcome back to our blog, we have Vanesia on the mic today representing the Salaam group. We started off our week relaxing at Chez Yahia in Aghbalou and watching American movies. We then headed out to Amizmiz where we started our three-day trekking experience, and if I could explain what the week looked like in alphabetical order this is how I would put it:

Yoga, Homestays, & Arts

Yoga, Homestays, & Arts

APRIL 1, 2019 | SHANTI OVERSEAS EDUCATORS | INDIA- SHANTI

Namaste!

We have just wrapped up our time in Rishikesh with a peaceful six day yoga retreat at the Phool Chatti Ashram which is located on the breathtaking banks of the Ganga river. Our week at the ashram was packed full of yoga asanas, nature walks, meditation, chanting, and delicious vegetarian meals. After we got used to the 5:30 am wake up time, the long days left us feeling refreshed and quite tranquil. Since we just passed the halfway mark on our time here in India, these six days were crucial to get the group fired up for the remainder of the trip. We also enjoyed a Holi celebration-an Indian holiday welcoming the arrival of spring with lots of colors.