![]() ![]() ![]() I could never imagine how my life would appear today had I not participated in the Latitudes Program, spending one full semester in Central America on a group trip and another semester on an independent internship in Ecuador. I was lucky enough to find Carpe Diem for the year after my high school graduation, 2010-2011, and can to this day stand by them as indisputably the best gap year program internationally. Hawaii Spring 2022 - An Authentic, Valuable Experience.If you go into this program open to whatever comes your way, you will thrive and have the time of your life! My best advice would be to take some time and think about what you really want to get out of your semester, and you should only do this program if you truly want to push yourself and experience a whole new way of living. I ended up loving my experience and being so happy I went, but it took some time to adjust. I was not 100% wanting to do this program initially, which made the first month especially hard. The end of the trip was also awesome: scuba diving, seeing cool wildlife, and staying in a hostel that was a 5minute walk from the beach! It felt like each week we did something completely different, which is such a unique opportunity. During free time, we could do whatever we wanted (within reason) but we also had a good amount of structure with group activities. We had a good balance of independence and group stability. Most people didn't mind it though, as it helps you stay present with each other. In terms of tech, we had very limited access to internet, even after the first 3 weeks of no wifi, so be prepared for limited contact to home. And if you're vegetarian or vegan, there will be options for you. We had amazing food for almost every meal, and learned how to cook authentic Guatemalan/Costa Rican dishes. The food was a BIG highlight of the trip. Our homestay families were all very happy to have us, so if that's a worry for you just know that you'll be in good hands. ![]() The accommodations vary a lot, so be prepared for periods of rugged living and bucket showers. It is a very rewarding experience once you do finish, ending with the prettiest sunrise over the lake. The 3 day trek to Lake Atitlan is a big challenge if you're not a big hiker, but doable. At our volunteer sites we did green building, reforestation, and permaculture work, with fun activities mixed in so it wasn't all work all the time. We learned a lot about the culture and about different ways to live and travel sustainably. Although prior Spanish knowledge is not required, it is definitely more difficult to jump into homestays having barely spoken Spanish before. I highly recommend this program if you're looking for Spanish immersion and are interested in sustainability and hiking. My group felt like a second family, and everyone we met along the way was so accommodating and knowledgable. Throughout this program, I grew so much as a person. I went on the Carpe Diem Central America semester and loved it. I would strongly recommend this program to any gap year student. I have learned several very important lessons about myself from this experience that I will take with me through the rest of my life. I now feel much more confident traveling, and I have a greater appreciation for different cultures and ways of living as well. I made such great friends from this program, and learned so much from it, too. A huge part of my life has been dominated by the use of technology and screens, and this program allowed for me to connect with people in a wholesome, face-to-face manner (in one of the most beautiful places on earth!). I got to experience what it feels like to live and bond with people in a genuine, human way, which was especially beneficial during the pandemic. These ten weeks were probably the best weeks of my life. At first, I was hesitant to spend ten weeks away from home with a group of people I have not met before, but I completed this program and left with no regrets. ![]()
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