Central America Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year

Guatemala and Costa Rica give you a different perspective of the world. The richness of the culture and history really makes a mark on you. The different organizations we got to work with gave us so much information on nature, community, responsibility, and more. I recommend carpe diem for all of its opportunities.

This was an amazing program for me as someone who wants to start traveling internationally but wasn’t really sure how. The pre planned itinerary really let me experience this fully but the student directed travel week also let me put what I had learned into practice. I really experienced so much in this program from a multi day trek to chilling leisurely by the beach. We went scuba diving at the beautiful Drake Bay, had 4 weeks of Spanish classes in two different locations at beautiful outdoor schools, participated in homestays, as well as did volunteer work such as natural building and helping out permaculture farms. Loved this program and would highly recommend for people looking for a diverse and supportive gap year!

I am really grateful to have been on this trip. This has impacted my life on so many ways and it has given me a perspective on the world that I didn’t have before going. The activities were unbelievable and if you want to grow a different perspective on the world you should go on this trip.

My semester with Carpe Diem was the best 3 months I could have asked for. I learned so many important life lessons, discovered so many new parts of the world, met so many incredible people, learned a ton about myself and my goals, and I had so much fun. We lived with homestay families, took Spanish classes, participated in community service/volunteer projects, went hiking, and explored many cities and countries. I loved the food, the people, the beauty and nature. We dug holes in a backyard to help a family get an irrigation system going for their toilet system and crops in Nicaragua; we worked on a permaculture farm and learned how to make chocolate; we hiked up volcanoes in Guatemala; we went on a yoga retreat; we patrolled the beaches at night and helped sea turtles camouflage their nests in Costa Rica; and we got SCUBA certified in Honduras. Carpe Diem runs really good programs, they are so fun, smooth, varied, full of learning, and introduce students to many important topics and life experiences. 10/10 recommend!

My experience with Carpe Diem was incredibly unique. It was so exciting to find a program that suit my interests of environmental conservation/Science and lead me to become fluent in Spanish. My leaders were super fun and great at their jobs. I met 2 my best-friends and enjoyed my time mindfully traveling through Guatemala and Costa Rica. Then for my Latitudes semester I went to Peru and that experience changed everything for me. I grew so much in 5 months, thrived with that level of responsibility and surfed everyday. Carpe's team is very competent and involved. overall I wouldn't trade anything for the unforgettable experience I had. It has lead me to be so much more passionate in my studies at University.

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Carpe Diem education was absolutely the right chose in completing a gap year. Not only did we have amazing adventures, but intriguing and eye-opening immersive cultural experiences. I was able to explore and learn about a new part of the world I had never dreamed of visiting, and subsequently develop a profound love for the culture and its people. It was constantly exciting, never staying in a place for more than two weeks. We hiked an active volcano, saved turtles, built a school, reforested a forest, took Spanish classes, got scuba certified, learned about sustainable agricultural techniques, surfed, engaged in cultural exchanges and so much more! It’s safe to say I finished the program feeling much more confident in both my ability to succeed individually, and as a whole. I developed many skills that can be applied towards my future in any form. I don’t regret this program one bit, and encourage everyone who can have such an experience to do so!

Throughout this program, I grew so much as a person. My group felt like a second family, and everyone we met along the way was so accommodating and knowledgable. I highly recommend this program if you're looking for Spanish immersion and are interested in sustainability and hiking. Although prior Spanish knowledge is not required, it is definitely more difficult to jump into homestays having barely spoken Spanish before. We learned a lot about the culture and about different ways to live and travel sustainably. 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. The 3 day trek to Lake Atitlan is a big challenge if you're not a big hiker, but doable. It is a very rewarding experience once you do finish, ending with the prettiest sunrise over the lake. The accommodations vary a lot, so be prepared for periods of rugged living and bucket showers. 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 food was a BIG highlight of the trip. We had amazing food for almost every meal, and learned how to cook authentic Guatemalan/Costa Rican dishes. And if you're vegetarian or vegan, there will be options for you. 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. Most people didn't mind it though, as it helps you stay present with each other. We had a good balance of independence and group stability. During free time, we could do whatever we wanted (within reason) but we also had a good amount of structure with group activities. 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. I was not 100% wanting to do this program initially, which made the first month especially hard. I ended up loving my experience and being so happy I went, but it took some time to adjust. 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. If you go into this program open to whatever comes your way, you will thrive and have the time of your life!

My semester with Carpe Diem was definitely one of the highlights of my life so far. I pushed my limits, physically and mentally, and grew into the person I want to be. The places we visited and the experiences I had challenged me deeply, but I never felt unsafe or unsupported. I always had my fellow students and OEs (leaders) close to me if I felt unsure or needed to take a step back. I learned a lot about culture, food, sustainability, and Spanish, but perhaps even more valuable was the way I was able to get to know myself and connect with the people and places around me. If you're looking to learn and grow, and have the drive to make it a reality, I truly cannot recommend this program enough!

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To echo the other reviews, the staff is probably the best part about this trip. When I was first accepted in 2019, the staff at the partner organization, Carpe Mundi (worth looking into if you think study abroad is too expensive for your socioeconomic class), evaluated me, and after deciding that I was good fit, did everything needed to keep me retained and interested despite the postponement during COVID. In 2022, the staff of Carpe Diem were responsible for making sure my departure went smoothly with no issues, and the two overseas educators who joined us abroad were the best. They were responsible for keeping the trip interesting with their skills and personalities. All the while, there was always support from Carpe HQ back. It's impossible to express every other reason with adequate words why this trip is worth going. I will note, though, that this is by no means a therapeutic trip to the tropics. This programs seeks to fuel your growth by constantly pushing you out of your comfort zones, and occasionally into your panic zone. There will be times where your physical endurance are pushed beyond anything of what you expected going in. There will be times where constant discomfort from wet/damp clothes, persistent BO, and sore bodies prevent you from sleeping in your slightly damp bed wrapped in a mosquito net. But all of it is a part of the growth. That being said, not everyone is ready for the sometimes constant discomfort and occasional isolation from home. Growth doesn't come easily, after all, but if you're up for it, this program may be the catalyst for your transformation into a more independent, resilient, resourceful, globally conscious, and generally a more amazing human being. Besides the tough times, there will be equally intense highs where you laugh and play with your cohort in the beautiful tropics, and the accommodations and food you share with them will be better than back home. By the end, you may be calling your cohort a second family; they will be group you did not choose, but one you learn to love as a brother or a sister nonetheless. This program is highly recommended in every way. Brief List of pros and cons: PROS -Food. I picked up some new favorite foods while abroad. Some meals don't feel complete anymore without fresh Guatemalan tortillas. -Views. The volcanoes and ranges of the seismically active region of Central America provide a backdrop for some of the most amazing scenes of the natural world I have witnessed. -Spanish Classes. The enduring theme of Spanish Immersion combined with the intensive classes taught me way more conversational Spanish than any American class or learning software I've encountered. CONS -Health. It's a fact of life that illness happens, and travel tends to increase your odds of it. They call it Traveler's Diarrhea for a reason. Central American infrastructure doesn't improve odds any, either, but it's all a part of the adventure. -It eventually ends. The farewells hurt and the return to home is rough, but the experience will always be worth it.

This was a well-organized trip and I loved our Oversees Educators Ryan and Soumya! They were super fun to be around but also facilitated lots of important discussions. They always encouraged us to learn more about the community and place we were in, and on that front I think Carpe did very very well. I do wish Carpe was a bit more transparent with the way budgeting works and where our money goes. Sometimes the program felt super busy and I wish I had had more time in the day to make sure I always had time to reflect take time for myself but also make the most out of the opportunities we had. I would recommend going on this trip if you’ve read about it and genuinely want to go. Don’t go because your parents want you to or any other reason. It‘a really a great opportunity, but whether your experience is positive or not is mostly dependent on if your goals align with the programs goals, and how much you make out of it. What the program offers you that is unique from traveling alone is this - a group of students (hopefully a community), two supportive and knowledgeable adults, a pre-planned and researched itinerary (I think Carpe also tries to ensure that the places we support are as environmentally and socially responsible as possible), a guarantee that you won’t ever have a day with nothing to do, more built in learning opportunities, security. I’d recommend checking out the blog page on the carpe website for more info! Also students are mostly 18-19 years old, at least on my trip.

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While I was very concerned about doing such a structured trip and not have independence, this was an amazing program! It is true that things are very structured and we are quite busy, but everything we did were incredible opportunities. I learned so much Spanish and feel much more knowledgeable about sustainability. I recommend this trip!

I participated in Carpe's Central America program in Spring 2018, and while I know the program itinerary has altered since my semester, I have no doubt it has the same quality. My semester with Carpe was a pivotal moment in my life. It opened up a whole new world for me and has forever changed my perspective. The combination of language immersion, sustainable development opportunities, and outdoor adventure activities, and in addition the mix between cities and rural areas, offers one of the most holistic gap semester programs out there. I don't think I've experienced as much growth in my life as I did during those 3 months. I was pushed out of my comfort zone on a daily basis by taking on leadership in the group, staying with local families, learning how to live alongside the rest of my groupmates, and exploring new areas without the help of our phones. My Overseas Educators were incredible and facilitated a welcoming group dynamic and always wanted to make sure that we were having a positive experience. They even inspired me to potentially become an Overseas Educator myself in the future, or to lead other abroad programs. This time showed me my place in the world, and it showed me how much bigger and diverse it is-more than I ever could have imagined. It motivated me to major in Spanish and to travel abroad again this past semester to Argentina/Chile. It ignited this wanderlust within me that will never end.

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If I could give this program an 11/10 I would. I've grown as a student, an independent traveler, and a person because of this experience. It's amazing how fast you can pick up a language when you're surrounded by it 24/7, and how fast you become friends with people you've never met when your traveling and living together. I learned so much Spanish and so much about sustainability, but also about the food, culture and history of Guatemala and my own privilege as someone with an American passport. I only got to experience 5 weeks of my spring CA trip because of the Covid19 pandemic, but I still made friends (Carpe students, my OEs, and locals) and had experiences that I will treasure for the rest of my life. If anything my trip getting cut short made me value my time in Guatemala even more. The team at headquarters and my wonderful OEs handled the stressful and heartbreaking task of getting us on a flight out the country before the borders closed with grace and professionalism. I never felt unsafe and I'm so grateful for them.

Choosing to go a gap year with Carpe Diem was the best decision I could have made for my life. I was incredibly burnt out after high school and did not feel ready for college yet, so I decided I wanted to take a gap year and go travel, volunteer, and speak Spanish. I chose Carpe because it included all three of those important things and so much more. I bonded so quickly with my entire group and we all became fast friends, and 3 years later we still keep in touch and have reunions around the country. The three months we spent together were so transformative for us and we are all very close still. My Overseas Educators were amazing, incredible leaders who encouraged us to be open-minded and supported us so well throughout our entire experience. They were great mentors who showed us how to be active, global citizens in a changing world. The experiences we had brought us into the lives of locals with homestays, Spanish schools, and important community volunteering activities. We explored the many beautiful natural surroundings with hikes, swimming, scuba diving, and more. We learned about local politics, government, history, language, culture, and traditions. The amount of learning I did on my Carpe experienced was more than I've ever learned in a classroom at school. I grew so much and learned more about who I am and what kind of person I want to be; I learned what I want out of life, and I learned how to live with those around me. Carpe Diem was everything I could have imagined it would be and even more. I will forever be grateful to Carpe for this life-changing experience that has truly become the foundation for how I live my life.

Carpe Diem was incredible!! It was exactly what I needed after graduating high school and being tired of the traditional educational model. I went on the Central America program and I learned so much and had a fantastic time. I loved the home stays, the Spanish lessons, the trek, my instructors and my group. Each came with a few challenges but only the healthy kind and by the end of the trip I wasn’t ready to go home. Being home afterwards I am filled with a sense of gratitude that I got to go and of wonder because I really feel that I became a different, better, braver version of myself during the program. I bonded well with my group and connected to the curriculum and to the places we stayed. I am a little surprised to say that I am a big fan of the no cell phones policy because I felt that it gave me fewer opportunities to be homesick and more opportunities to connect with my group mates. Before the trip I considered myself an introvert and I was worried that I might not get enough time to myself. By the end I didn’t want to be alone because I loved my group so much: best possible outcome. I would highly recommend Carpe Diem to students who are interested in alternative education and in learning about other cultures. I would definitely recommend the Central America program to anyone who is interested in polishing their Spanish if you feel that your high school Spanish classes aren’t doing you justice. Choosing Carpe Diem is one of the best decisions I have ever made and I hope that if you choose Carpe that you’ll feel the same.

When I graduated high school I was not prepared for college. I lacked Independence, confidence, and world knowledge. After my gap year with Carpe Diem, I feel as prepared as possible. I gained skills in leadership, communication, independence, and more through the activities that we performed throughout the trip. My overseas educators were always there to support me in any way they could and my group became my family. I was constantly encouraged to push my comfort zone and take leadership over activities that interested me. I was immersed in the cultures that we visited and learned more than I ever could from a text book or a documentary. The experiences that I have living with the locals and hearing their stories will stay with me forever. Carpe is great about encouraging this cultural exchange and is extremely respectful of the host cultures. The itinerary on this semester is packed with wonderful opportunities that I never knew I would experience. I 100% recommend this semester to anyone who is thinking about it!

Carpe Diem really allowed me to experience traveling in a different light than I ever had and maybe ever would have had I not participated in the trip. I felt like much less of a tourist on this trip and felt much more involved with the places and communities I was visiting. Really learned a lot about culture, Spanish, and myself and will carry these insights with me moving forward in life.

My experience with Carpe not only transformed my world view, but it taught me a lot about living with a group and it gave me the tools I needed to be a confident independent traveller. It also helped me realize the importance of being an active member in society- whether that means becoming very involved in politics, controlling your environmental footprint, or buying from local and organic companies. It is such a privilege to be born in the United States, a country that has so much influence in the world, but it is what we do with that privilege that matters.

Just know that life is never too short because life's on choices, and if one takes their time in making the choices they truly desire (like myself in choosing to take a gap year with Carpe!), their life will become that much more longer, satisfying, and worthwhile in the long run.

Carpe helped me to grow into a stronger, happier, and more beautiful person that I can be proud of. I'm coming out of this program with more clarity of who I am, what I can accomplish, and what I want to do in my life from here. Plus there are 1000 amazing experiences from this trip that I will never forget.