Carpe Diem Education

Without a doubt, Carpe Diem changed my life. I recommend this experience to anyone who has the opportunity. Not only did Carpe help me discover my love for traveling and learning new cultures, They also helped me find myself. I am so happy I made the decision to do a gap year and ever more happy I picked Carpe Diem.

The eight weeks I spent with Carpe Diem in Italy and Greece was the best experience of my life and the best decision I have ever made. Our program leaders (shoutout Megan and Ariana) were the absolute greatest people ever and made our trip as easy and enjoyable as it could have been. All the places we went, from Rome and Athens to rural Tuscany and the Peloponnese, were so amazing and fun. However, my favorite part of traveling with Carpe Diem was the people we met. Carpe Diem has partners located across both countries in every place we stayed. They are such incredible, interesting people with different backgrounds and inspiring stories. Overall, in every aspect, my semester with Carpe Diem was everything I could've hoped for and more. I would strongly recommend this program, as it will teach you many valuable lessons, have you coming out as a better version of yourself, and give you experiences you would never have otherwise.

I just came back from the hawai’i aloha spring semester 2023. Fricking amazing. I wanted a program that I would be able to camp, learn about the environment, learn some sustainable solutions for the planet, go to a cool place, and make friends. I did all of that and more. I grew so much on this program (emotionally). We had a rough start because of weather, however I felt the instructors did a great job with keeping us safe, happy, and having a good time. We got to work with so many contacts carrying in race, philosophy, goal, gender,…. I learned life lessons, made some of the best memories of my life, snorkeled in some of the clearest waters of my life (saw 2 sharks!), did an awesome hike, visited multiple national parks, and grew to absolutely love working with dirt even though I wasn’t a fan before. Even though I definitely had my struggles on the program, went through rough patches and struggled, I came through to be a new person with a new perspective on the world. Thank you carpe diem for helping me figure out a little bit of what I want to do and who I want to be! Recommend!!!!

I loved every second of Hawai'i! There was some living situations that were difficult, such as there was a lot of wind that ended up breaking people's tents and causing people to loose a ton of sleep. If you do send your kid in the spring, make sure they have a tent that can withstand wind and rain really well as the spring is the rainy and windy season.

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.

Was a great experience. I travelled across Italy and Greece which was such an amazing experience. We met so many lovely people from so many different countries and learned all about their cultures. We had some farm stays which were very engaging and some city stays which were fun because we had lots of free time. It was a great mix of working and exploring. I think if you are looking for a trip where you can explore and also learn about other cultures. Overall I highly recommend carpe diem gap year and the Italy and Greece semester especially.

The Italy and Greece carpe program was one of the best decisions of my life! I had an amazing group of other students- i learned so much about myself and the countries i’ve travelled to- we had so much fun together- exploring different cities- working on workaway farms with volunteers from all over the world. It was a fantastic 2 1/2 months and I recommend it to anyone.

My time spent here in SE Asia has been spectacular. We started our journey in Siem Reap Cambodia. We dipped our toes in this city learning about each other and getting curious about our new surroundings. We then spent time visting temples, teaching kids English, going to a floating village and learning about life. We also spent time in Phnom Penh practicing qualities that would be important for student direct travel. In Thailand we spent a week in Bangkok a week at a retreat in udon and also a week with the hill tribe villages in chiang rai. Finally our tripped ended in chiang mai. For me the experience was something I never imagined would come to life. Like many of my fellow cohort members I felt like as a first generation Mexican American I would never have an opportunity like this. I got to travel to quite literally a different world, I got to learn new things about myself and I learned a lot about my peers here.

As some who needed a year off between high school and college, Carpe Diem was the best fit for me. As part of the Southeast Asia gap year program one of my favorite things was our partners and host families. At Punpun, a greenhouse building and seed saving organization, I’ve never felt more exhausted, but loved. The people there were so kind and caring as well as invested in educational and experiential learning. While there, I met people with similar interests who showed me that I can do exactly what I want to do in life.

If you’re thinking of taking a gap year, this gap year semester is amazing! I really got to develop as a person and had incredible experiences (and food). I also met really kind and down to earth people on this program, made such great memories, and friends! You really get the best of both worlds on this program - rugged nature adventures and city life activities, which I didn’t know about prior. My favorite part of the trip was going to IWP, which was a Buddhist feminist retreat. 10/10, would recommend this trip.

Carpe Diem changed my life for the better. My semester in Southeast Asia truly was the best time of my life. I experienced so many things that I would have never been able to do had I not found Carpe. For instance building mud bricks, staying at a hill tribe, or eating lunch in a tiny hut on a mountain of rice fields. My expectations were exceeded and I learned so much about myself as a traveler. The friends I have made on this trip are amazing and truly some of the best people I have ever met. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

Carpe Diem is 100% an experience I would recommend to others. The mix of volunteer service work with explorative more touristy activities was excellent. A highlight of my trip was our experience at Pun Pun farm in northern Thailand. We spent a day helping build mud bricks for a community member’s house. The work was tiring but extremely rewarding. Tiring but very rewarding sums up the whole of my semester perfectly. I now have built great friendships with my fellow group members and wonderfully relationships with our various host families and organizations.

Though Hawaii is technically a state of America it should be recognized as its own country. I’m from the East Coast of the states and I can say confidentially that Hawaii is nothing of the normal. I got used to sleeping in a tent in just a few weeks and actually preferred to sleep in a tent rather than the hostel we were staying in. I got to speak with experts ranging from tsunami, archaeology, and marine biology about the impact me and my peers have on the future of our planet. My group including Overseas Educators was a total of 9 and at first it was a lot of pressure to get along with people but after just 6 weeks I can call everyone here my family and they all teach me things about myself I would have never realized if not coming on this trip. It’s been really hard being so far away from home but it’s going to be just as hard leaving my family in Hawaii. I would recommend this trip to everyone who is looking to get out of their comfort zone.

My experience with carpe diem had been wonderful so far! Some crucial highlights have been my groups experience at PUN PUN farm. We spent a day learning how to make mud bricks and helping build a locals house. It was the dirtiest, yet most inspiring, day of my gap year so far. The amount of appreciation I have gained for my own life and living back in the states is astronomical. Immediately following our week at PUN PUN we traveled to a local village for home stays to learn about bamboo, soap, and tea making. The severe language barrier was a struggle, but it really highlighted the simpler things in life like a silent dinner or the process of weaving clothes. Another huge highlight of my gap year experience so far was our SCUBA week in Koh Tao! My instructor, Nacho, was amazing and all of the wonderful fish and corals we saw were beautiful! After gaining my open dive certification, I realized on my last dive I didn’t want to never see underwater world again. Carpe Diems gap year experience so far has lead me to find my new passions like marine biology, the art of making our own bread, or even hand washing my own clothes. My experience of group travel with carpe so far has been wonderful and gives me the courage to do another semester with carpe as a independent latitude student.

Carpe’s Hawaii trip is a great program, we got to work with small organic and native farms while also hiking, snorkeling, surfing, etc. I learned a lot and it was a transformative experience. We were camping almost the whole time, all the campsites and farms were really great places to stay.

This trip was life-changing. I will forever have the memories of the activities I did, the people I served, and the amazing group I travelled with. Not only did I see and do incredible things, but I learned so much. I learned so much about culture, people, traditions, and myself. What an amazing experience that I will never forget!

My time spent with Carpe Diem Education was one of the most impactful periods of my life. My group semester was spent in East Africa, exploring Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. We learned about vast amounts of history and culture, spent time working with multiple orphanages and schools, learned to scuba dive, dug deep on self-reflection, went on a safari, completed a yoga and meditation retreat, stayed with incredible homestays and built relationships that have lasted the five years since the end of our semester. The relationships I built during Carpe Diem are some of my most treasured. My latitudes semester was spent at a school for children with special needs in rural Uganda, and it was empowering and impactful in ways that I continue to learn about and realize today. I finished my attitudes semester in the spring of 2018 after spending 3 months working every day with the most incredible group of students. In January 2022, I started a Master's Degree in Special Education. My time with Carpe shaped who I am in a dramatic way, and I can't give enough thanks to the incredibly purposeful design of my program. My group semester gave me the confidence and traveling know-how to travel to Egypt solo after my latitudes semester. In May of 2023, I am going to the wedding of a friend I met on group semester. If you are thinking about a gap year program, Carpe Diem Education will help you learn more about yourself and the world around you than you could in any other setting. Anytime I have the opportunity to tell people about Carpe is a privilege. Their programs are designed to push you to learn, grow and step out of your comfort zone.

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!

I had the best time on this trip! The program was a great mix between cities and rural. We got to stay with some great hosts I wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to stay with. The experiential learning aspect is great, there is a large focus on sustainable farming. I loved my OE’s and my group. Carpe also organizes the trip so you get the chance to learn how to travel on your own. There were a couple problems with the trip like the Italian classes, some of the itinerary, and travel, but they are great at taking feedback and updating the trip accordingly. Overall a fantastic experience and I would definitely go if you get the chance.

Traveling with Carpe Diem challenged the ideas I had formed about myself in high school. Never quite excelling in the classroom environment and not knowing how to take advantage of school resources, I thought I was just born a “bad student.” Approaching education from an experiential model made me realize, I just didn’t know myself and my own needs. Carpe Diem’s Educators are so compassionate and supportive and help their students excel in their own ways. The program is immersive and set up in a way that gives you a wide variety of experiences, so everyone can experience a range of challenges and strengths.

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.

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!

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. These ten weeks were probably the best weeks of my life. 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. 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 made such great friends from this program, and learned so much from it, too. I now feel much more confident traveling, and I have a greater appreciation for different cultures and ways of living as well. 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 would strongly recommend this program to any gap year student.

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!

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.

I loved my experience with this program! There were ten students total and two OEs, which I thought was a comfortable number of people. Everyone in my group got along from the beginning and we were able to not only exist together very well but also form deep connections that I hope will last a long time. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to see the side of Hawaii that most tourists don’t see, and that I was able to learn directly from the locals and native Hawaiians about the complicated and dark history of the land. We went on hikes, learned to surf, tried paddle boarding and canoeing, watched many sunsets, visited beaches, learned a hula dance, and much more. I also really appreciated that all the students came in on a level playing field, meaning that none of us knew each other previously and there were no grudges or friendships from the past. This program helped me grow as a person and taught me more about myself that I wouldn’t have realized otherwise. 100% recommend

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.

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!

This trip was amazing! The programming could barely have been better. All the parters we worked with were so interesting and showed different perspectives on issues in one way or another. Xeno was so fun the first two weeks. Living in a half abandoned village, being cooked for by a greek woman for every meal. The trek we did in tuscany was so rewarding and beautiful. We loved our guides Lauren and Luca and all the parters we met along the way! (bread making, learning about medieval living and more!) There a very good balance between cities and country (although i would have liked a couple more days in rome) and it was staggered city, country, city, etc. I got so lucky with my group and OEs and have made friends for life!

This environment was extremely pivotal in developing both my confidence and awareness of the world around me. It was extremely supportive emotionally as well as safety wise. The OEs and fellow students on the trip are definitely going become life long friends. We were bonded by hands-on experiences that are difficult to give justice to with mere words. This program has sparked a new fire inside of me that is curious about not only traveling, but also finding ways to learn more about the area that I already live. These memories will live in my mind forever.

Going into my Hawai'i semester with Carpe Diem I wasn't sure what to expect- it was a new program and many of my past plans this year had already been cancelled. What came of the semester was the most transformative and beautiful two months I ever could have asked for. Learning from Hawaiian natives about Hawaiian sovereignty, practicing earth stewardship alongside my group, and getting to know the beautiful island of Maui are pieces of my experience I never want to forget along with so so many more. I am incredibly thankful to my OE's for being the warmest, most supportive, and caring people ever. My group truly became an 'Ohana throughout our semester and I feel so lucky to have learned from each one of them and call them all friends now. The Carpe Diem Hawai'i semester was very intentionally planed and thought out. If you are passionate about the environment, social justice, or the outdoors it would be a mistake not to consider this program! :)

I had an amazing time in Hawaii! From the moment we landed in Hawaii it was a fun time. Being surrounded by other gap students who were there for the same reasons- to explore, learn, and grow- made it even better. Knowing I was surrounded by such a strong community, I was excited for each day and ready to take on every adventure. We farmed and worked with the land which allowed me to learn that I have a passion for being outside and working with the earth. Mixed in with our work was a lot of fun. We constantly were surrounded by beauty, swimming in freshwater or the ocean, hiking, watching sunrises/sunsets, and making memories. It’s impossible to complain while in Hawaii and it was the happiest 2 months of my life yet. I’m excited to continue growing with everything I learned from my leaders and Carpe’s principles.

I loved Carpe's Borderlands trip! I was with an amazing group of students who truly cared for one another and were passionate about learning from the place and people we were with. The program components were spectacular and we had the opportunity to work with contacts that are such incredibly hardworking, knowledgeable, living-out-their-passions type of people who truly brought the topics we were learning about to life. Whether it was Francesca and her vast knowledge of native plant species and the pollinators they attract or Jonathan and Shelly with their visible excitement and dedication to all things social justice, I was so, so inspired by everyone that we worked with and learned from. It was so apparent that Carpe Diem has worked hard to establish a deservedly top-notch reputation and foster deep, valued connections with local scholars/activists/educators/change-makers in the communities where they are sending groups. Carpe's genuine focus on making the most ethical decision at all times is truly remarkable and honorable. As for the actual itinerary of the trip, it was awesome. Having never been on a backpacking expedition, I was appropriately apprehensive but it turned out to be hands down one of my favorite parts of the trip. We were supported, engaged, and inspired by our amazing guide Treven and although there were certainly challenging parts (who knew how cold it could be in the desert!) we were given all the tools we needed to survive and thrive and I couldn't be happier with the sheer beauty of the Rincón Mountains and the sense of accomplishment I felt at the end. Another part of the trip that I loved was the social justice segment. We learned from authors, residents, and scholars about the border wall and immigration injustice - things I had very little knowledge of beforehand - and then had the incredible opportunity to speak with asylum seekers and newly transitioning migrants firsthand about their experiences. It was riveting, heart-breaking, and truly moving and I think extremely necessary in understanding the full story. I couldn't recommend this trip more! I was so grateful for the opportunity COVID-19 presented in allowing me to travel within my own country and learn more about problems and solutions right here within our borders.

Like someone said below, I haven't reviewed my semester on here yet because how can you sum up 3 months of experiences in one post? I will say that not only were our groups leaders incredible, the opportunities we were given were very special and unique. While this program may not work for some students, it was beneficial for me in learning how to travel with a variety of personalities, and how to live in a country to vastly different from my own. I saw a review on here that was incredible negative, and I am saddened that India did not teach that individual as much as it taught me about bringing the best out of an experience, and doing so with compassion and patience. I met many people during my time in India, within my group and outside of, that challenged me to think about my own behavior as a person and as someone who participates in society and what my impact is. Traveling in itself does this, but CDE gave us time to reflect and discuss our own thought processes in ways in which traveling alone would not. CDE gave me the space to become more confident in my own traveling abilities, and open my eyes to the differences in the world around me. I am in college now, and I always tell my friends here that I am a better, calmer, more caring person after my semester with CDE. So, if I could, I would do a semester again just to see the ways in which I could continue to grow.

I chose India because it scared me. Traveling to a place that is so foreign for 3 months, without a phone, with a group of 11 other strangers, seems extremely daunting. However, I knew that taking the leap of faith would make me grow. And to say that it did is an understatement. If you want to learn the tools to live a more fulfilling life, develop a worldview, and be exposed to the inequalities that we are often sheltered from, then Carpe Diem is the program for you. The wisdom and lessons I gained have made me a more compassionate and open-minded individual. The way they organize the trip makes you feel like you are immersing yourself in the culture, rather than just being a tourist. We were lucky enough to learn about meditation and Buddhism from the Dalai Lama in his temple. We practiced our Hindi with vibrant kids living in slums. We ate our way through all of the samosa, thali, and chai shops. None of that would have happened without Carpe Diem's longlasting connections to the communities and people of India. The 11 other people in my group also became the most inspiring community I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We laughed till our stomachs hurt, danced with locals, cried, loved, meditated, and grew together. After 3 years, we still keep in contact because the connections made will truly last a lifetime. I can't recommend this program enough! Take the leap of faith!

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.

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.

India 2020: This program was poorly run, and a waste of time. We are sorry to have chosen it for our daughter, out of all the gap programs available nationwide. We could have, just as easily, chosen a program that was educational, immersive and memorable, but unfortunately, we went with Carpe Diem. To begin, the flight itineraries were unnecessarily long and out of the way, with layovers extending 8 or more hours, and many unnecessary stopovers. The students were made to roam around empty airports; planes weren’t there, nor were gates assigned. Next, sickness in the group was rampant. All the students got scabies, but Carpe Diem didn’t inform parents until five days after. Our daughter was scratched by a cat that the group leader was playing with, and had to be treated with shots for rabies and tetanus (which she already had). The homestay parent in Kochi stole money and electronics from the students. Probably the scariest thing about Carpe Diem is the forced child labor, disguised as sustainability, at several camps. At the project, our daughter was forced to collect human feces for compost. She was forced to dig up invasive tree species, despite her allergies and asthma. All of this before they were allowed to eat breakfast, then after again. Food was sparse. The projects is an artificial forest, grown in a desert, and populated by Europeans and Israelis, not Indians. How is this an immersive Indian camp? It is unsustainable, but the Carpe Diem students were charged with sustaining it. They were sunburned, underfed, exhausted, overheated, and ridiculed for their American way of life. The next project was much the same: forced labor without enough food, in scorching heat. What did they learn at these camps, from their leaders and other campers? That they personally are responsible for climate change; that non-vegetarian eaters are burning up the planet with methane; that global markets are a source of evil and oppression. Was there an opposing narrative offered, to provide critical thinking and objectiveness? Unfortunately, no. Our daughter’s personality is to be positive. She is also a very hard worker, which is how she graduated early from high school in order to do a gap semester. So, she decided to rise above the confusion, scrutiny, and divisiveness of the India Carpe Diem program, and give her best effort, therefore learning strength of character in spite of the silly leaders and the ridiculous itinerary. She learned that many people (non Indian) on this trip who proclaim to be conservationists and live sustainable, peaceful, cooperative lives are in actuality some of the most judgmental, closed minded, uneducated, and downright mean people. This is what Carpe Diem gave her. All the way from the director, to the group leader, to the residents, the message was one of discrimination, haughtiness, fringe behavior, and unearned superiority. Our daughter went all the way to India, and didn’t learn about India. I would recommend choosing a different India gap program. Don’t choose Carpe Diem. Gary Holt Highlands Ranch CO USA

The best 3 months of my 21 years of life has to be the most to the point way to describe my time in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam with Carpe Diem Education. I am 21 and finishing up my college sociology degree this year. For fall term of my senior year, I wanted to do something different, and experience true hands on learning outside of the traditional classroom lecture setting. This trip to South East Asia truly went above and beyond what I could have ever expected to get out of my time abroad. From week one in Thailand when we each got placed in our own homestay with the most amazing and sweet host moms, to the last week of the trip directing our own student travel through vietnam, each experience I look back on with so much gratiude, knowlege, insight, and a smile. Carpe Diem truly does give you the ability to have such unique and amazing experience, and there is also such a good balance of volunteer work, weeks in homestays, and life off the beaten path, to city days for self care and relaxation. One of my fondest memories from the whole trip that I think about daily was out treck in Thailand. We went on a 3 day treck in Thailand led by 3 amazing locals who know the area and land so well. They led us through dense bamboo forests, that would open to the most amazing views on the hillside of a rice patty field. We stayed the night in village leaders home in a small Lahu village. The full day we were there was my favorite day of the trip. We got up and walked 30 mins through the village and into a rice patty field where to the left of the path was vegetables growing, ahead was a bamboo forest, and down the hill was a stream. We brought 2 chickens, a sack of rice and some eggs. We collected water form the stream, picked vegetables from the field, made a fire with bamboo and cooked the rice, chicken, and eggs in the bamboo logs over the fire. We also learned to carve spoons, chop sticks, bowls, and cups. We ate the meal we made on the beautiful hillside in Thailand. Something about that day was so special, peaceful, and such an amazing learning experience. Carpe Diem allows you to get to experience and connect with others so different from you. Each homestay family I stayed with showed me such kindness, love, and were so welcoming despite language barriers. I have shared so many laughs, hugs, and amazing homecooked meals with my host famalies. Most homestays are with at least two others in the group which is nice and comfortable. A quick trip recap of everything amazing Thailand: A week learning Thai, and homestays with sweet host moms. 10 days volunteering and staying off the beaten path in an amazing Akka village. 4 days of trecking through beautiful Thailand rice/ pineapple field hillside. Some amazing hostels and city days to explore beautiful tempels. A week on an organic permaculture farm learning about sustainability. 5 days of silent meditation with monks learning about buddhism, and mindfullness. A quick trip recap of everything amazing Cambodia: Days in Phnom Phen learning about the genocide, killing fields, and the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. Angkor Watt of course. A week on a village off the Mekong river working on a clean water project homestay living. A quick trip recap of everything amazing Vietnam: Days to explore the amazing city of Ho Chi Minh. A week with very funny Tan Tao University students staying in homestays, english teaching at primary schools, and a school for the deaf and disabled, picking pineapples, cooking, and singing a lot of karaoke. 5 days on the beautiful beach in Nha Trang getting suba certified, and tanning on the beach. Days in the city to go to museams and learn about the Vietnam War. And lastly student directed travel. Student directed travel is where we got to plan how to get from Nha Tang to Hanoi which was 800 miles in 1 week. We got to plan where we wanted to go, stay, forms of transportaiton, activites, and had to stay within a budget. It was so amazing. So there you have it, the best 3 months of my life by far! The guides for Carpe Diem are also amazing, and really made the trip flow well. They handled the tough situations with ease and are such wonderful, and positive people. Having 10 students and 2 guides total was also great! All Carpe Diem trips have 15 people or less. I would highly reccomend going abroad with Carpe Diem whether you have just graduated high school or are about to graduate college. I feel refreshed, and have a new motivation, and goals for my life becuase of my time abroad with Carpe Diem Education!!

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.

The three months I spent travelling throughout Spain and Morocco left me with some of the most amazing experiences of my life and more than a few stories to tell. I've seen some truly breathtaking things after this trip and I enjoyed them all with a group of friends that were an absolute joy to be around. During this trip I was constantly learning and experiencing things that challenged me and pushed me to grow, whether I was learning Arabic, haggling with a street vendor, or waiting out a sandstorm in a woven tent, I was always engaged in something vastly different than what I'm used to. I'm glad I had the opportunity to be involved in a trip as lively and exciting as this one, and I'm really happy that I could enjoy it with such a fun, and supportive group of friends. This trip is fast paced and a little crazy at times. While I never felt like I was being pushed too hard, or was in any real danger, I'd definitely recommend this program to those who are looking to take a few steps out of their comfort zone.

From staffing a music festival in the Sahara to walking across the Morocco-Spain border by foot, this gap year program provided me with many unique, enriching, and unforgettable experiences. Specifically, this 12-week trip consisted of well-balanced visits to natural, rural, suburban, and urban communities. Most of the time, we were either living with a homestay family in an urban city while attending language classes, volunteering with a community-oriented NGO in a suburb, relaxing and sightseeing in tourist-heavy areas, or exploring the natural wonders of Spain and Morocco (including the Spanish countryside, the Camino de Santiago, the Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert). This blend of experiences in a wide range of communities helped us gain an educated and well-rounded understanding of the communities in which we were immersed. Nevertheless, because we visited so many places in a short period of time (roughly 25 cities in 90 days), my overall experience was very fast-paced, which sometimes made it difficult to keep energy and motivation levels high. Please note that-- despite the constant travel and unfamiliarity of new places-- I never felt unsafe at any point during the trip. The security measures taken by Carpe Diem and the relatively safe atmospheres of Spain and Morocco made for a safe adventure. To me, this trip was especially unique because of the diversity of experiences that we had. Through classroom lessons, NGO volunteer work, outdoor adventures, sightseeing, and meeting new friends and (host) family, we learned about a plethora of topics, including immigration, environmental sustainability, the relationship between rural and urban communities, foreign language (Darija Arabic and Spanish), permaculture, religion, history, cuisine, and women’s empowerment. Yes, we really did focus on ALL of those topics. This broad exposure gave us the opportunity to explore a variety of fields before having to specialize in our educations and careers. However, for this same reason, I would warn potential applicants that they can’t expect to become an expert on religion or learn to speak Arabic fluently; instead, you will dip your toes into each of these topics and get a well-rounded understanding of Moroccan and Spanish cultures. Indeed, what I found especially impactful about this trip is that we learned about all of these topics through the lens of both Spain and Morocco. We never simply learned about the politics, language, or economy of one culture. Rather, we took a more holistic approach to these topics by considering the complex relationship between North Africa and Europe and how this interconnectedness influences these topics on a global scale. Overall, despite the sometimes fast-paced and varied nature of this trip, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested.

It was an amazing experience that facilitated personal growth in many ways. I learned more about living with and cooking for a big group of people and practiced new self care techniques that have stayed with me since. Experiencing new cultures was a long needed experience for me.

The Carpe Diem East Africa Program gave me the opportunity to discover a different way of life and to learn about the value in a sense of community. I was exposed to both urban and rural living in East Africa and found that my perspective on how to go about day to day life was totally changed. I now feel much more confident in "trusting the process" of the ups and downs that life throws at us. There was incredible space for self-reflection and as a result I felt that I grew exponentially as a person. I have come back home with a renewed passion for life and all that it teaches us!

I went on the fall of 2018 Carpe semester to Ecuador and Peru and it was absolutely incredible. Being able to learn Spanish in countries where they speak it, was amazing. I loved my group and the leaders; everyone I met was incredible. The itinerary was amazing and we were never somewhere for too long. I truly feel like I have seen all of Ecuador and Peru but would still go back in a heartbeat. Some of my favorite moments were tubing down a river in the Amazon, the Salkantay trek, Machu Picchu, planting trees with locals, and so many more. I would absolutely recommend this program.

Traveling with a cohort of students was the best thing I have ever done. I learned more about myself in 3 months than I have my whole life. I learned how to live independently and how to travel independently. I got to experience a culture that was close to mine in the textbooks but in the real world it was different and very eye opening.

I loved spending time with Carpe Diem Education in East Africa. They offer a unique dynamic with cultural immersion and self reflection. I wish that I could go on a million Carpe Diem trips!!!! I think that I am a better person and understand humans and the world better after traveling with Carpe Diem.

My time is Southeast Asia was something I will never forget. I got to build incredibly friendships with people and experience a lot of firsts. We went zip lining , snorkeling, to the beach and we volunteered with amazing foundations. We learned Thai and experienced what it was like to live with a host family. Overall this trip has taught me a lot about myself and I would recommend that everyone study abroad.

My time abroad in Thailand and Cambodia was my first time ever leaving the United States. It has always been a dream of mine to travel and I’m forever thankful to Carpe Mundi for giving me the opportunity. The 2 months I spent in Southeast Asia were the best 2 months of my life. I got to hike with elephants, go zip lining, scuba dive in the warm waters of Cambodia, explore huge cities, and spend time volunteering with local people and communities. I made deep connections with my host family and the people in my cohort. Not only did I get to experience all of these amazing things and make life long friendships, I was also able to learn more about myself. I discovered more about who I am as a person and the different things I am interested in. I was also able to push myself out of my comfort zone and try things I never thought I would be able to do. This experience is something that will last with me for the rest of my life.

With a great combination of activities that pushed us out of our physical and mental comfort zones, Carpe Diem's South Pacific Gap Year was a truly incredible and life-changing semester! We traveled almost all of New Zealand from north to south, spent a week living in a remote village in Fiji, and whipped through a huge portion of Australia in four short weeks. There was a good balance of structure and free time, with great cultural immersion programs that increased our knowledge of the places we were and the history surrounding them. I learned a ton about environmental issues and how to live in better harmony with the Earth through my day-to-day life. Our overseas educators, Eric and Lolly, were very passionate and willing to share their experiences with us on a personal level. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is unsure of whether traditional college is the right choice for them!

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.

I traveled to India with Carpe Diem Education in the fall of 2011, and what a wonderful experience it was! I appreciated the scope of our travel - we got to see many different cities throughout the country, as we never spent more than a week in one place. The leaders were incredibly street-smart and savvy, and made me feel completely safe in their care. I appreciated the small group dynamic and the intimate friendships that developed between the members of our India cohort. We also had an excellent balance of activities - from trekking in the Himalayas, to attending a week-long retreat at a yoga ashram, to taking Hindi classes and volunteering at an orphanage in Calcutta, I felt as though we really experienced such a range of what the country had to offer, doing whatever felt culturally relevant to our location. I learned so much about being an independent traveler from Carpe Diem, and felt enabled to travel internationally on my own over the next few years. All in all, this was a life-changing opportunity and one that I am still grateful for several years later.

Those 3 months were some of the most incredible of my life, and I will be eternally grateful to Carpe and all the amazing people who make these trips happen. So I wanted to say thank you! I still think about the trip everyday, and I am filled with so many memories and experiences that will carry on into the rest of my life, and hopefully keep me traveling for a long, long time! I have the travel bug now for sure. The Southeast Asia trip was just unbelievable; I have nothing but good things to say about it, and if any future students have any questions about anything..packing or what to expect, etc, i would love to be of help! I hope to stay part of the carpe family and maybe one day even lead a trip of my own! I just wanted to let all the staff at carpe know how much this trip meant to be, and what a great program you guys have. The trip has changed my life. Thank you for everything!

If you want to travel, challenge yourself, learn more about yourself, and improve yourself, take a gap year with Carpe Diem. It succeeds where others have failed. Just do it.

I really didn't feel ready to go straight into college. I think many of my friends felt the same but decided to do the normal thing and go for it anyway. The spiritual and emotion growth I have gained from this trip are invaluable and unteachable in a classroom setting. I feel so much more confident about starting college now and I trust myself to make much better life decisions in the process.

The itinerary in front of you and the stories you hear draw you in because they sound truly amazing. When you're actually there and the ideas you've formed manifest into realities its almost incomprehensible. only afterwards, looking back, do you realize that that those days changed your life.

The effects of a trip like this are much more than you could ever anticipate. Everything from the friendships I've made to the things I've learned about the world have had a profound impact. Even the little things that I didn't think would be impactful changed my view.

This is a program that can either mean nothing to you or change your life. It depends on how you approach it and how you deal with things. Look positively at what is in front of you while you are there and don't forget that you have a whole life ahead of you. Experience everything.

Just be open and ready to expand your mind more than you know because you may or you life may change for the better and hopefully it is an experience you will remember forever. Some times may get hard or you may have to jump out of your comfort zone a bit, but its all worth it in the end.

Carpe has changed my life. I couldn't have done something so drastic (traveling without connection to my friends/family for 3 months seemed impossible) without the amazing support of the OEs and Carpe as a whole. I have grown more than I thought possible, and I will never forget what Ive learned on this trip.

"The fear of suffering is worse than the fear itself." - Paulo CoelhoYou may have a lot of fears when thinking about what awaits you on this program, but don't let them get in your way! Recognize your fears, accept that they probably won't be as bad as you think, and then let go. You will then be free to fully embrace all the amazing experiences that you will have on this trip.

Thank you CDE for teaching me to recognize and appreciate the privileges I have, to be patient and live in the moment, to stay humble, and that one person can truly make a difference. These are lessons that have stayed with me the past two years since my India semester, and will continue to stay with me for the rest of my 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.

its the best way to go even if you are like me and you know your college plan it's a good way to still earn college credit while exploring the world and the inner you.

Learn to channel your shit whether your angry, happy, mad, glad, sad, frustrated, etc into something positive, whether that be confiding in a group member, journaling, reading, screaming into a pillow, whatever works for you I guess. There's no such thing as escapism when you don't have access to tv, computers, phones, gyms, booze, etc. So develop a new effective coping mechanism for when stuff isn't going your way.

Its an experience that you can only get with Carpe. They provide such an amazing support system and they allow you to learn in ways you would never consider learning before. From a permaculture farm in Nicaragua to scuba diving of the coast of Honduras... it just does not get much better than that.

Even if you don't think you're coming into this trip with expectations, you are. Don't kid yourself. I'm here to tell you that many of those expectations will not become reality, but you'll have a whole slew of new experiences that you would never have imagined having. Also, buy toilet paper as soon as you can once you arrive--you won't need it everywhere, but TP availability is not what it is in the US.

Run headlong into this trip with no expectations whatsoever. This is a once in a lifetime chance to really get to know who you are and make lasting relationships with some unforgettable people.

While on my group semester with Carpe Diem, I have discovered some personal limits. I've even surpassed a few during my time in East Africa. Being 18 and between high school and university is such a weird, transitional stage. I think that through this semester,I've finally begun to find myself. I've seen an amazing part of the world, all while I have been figuring out what is important to me and how the world figures into my life. From the henna on my hands to the new found appreciation for street food, I know there is so much more out there. Carpe and my OEs have not only given me an opportunity to become more mindful of my own passions, but to be a more mindful global citizen as well.

There's nothing to be scared of. By the middle of the trip, you won't even want to go home! You will do so many amazing things and make so many incredible memories. If you can do it, do it!

Carpe Diem does an unparalleled job in the gap year world. Gap years in general are something I really encourage; a way to use your time wisely, think about where you want to go, and make informed decisions. I would especially encourage Carpe Diem gap years; they're educational, fun, and transforming. The East Africa trip completely changed me and my life. I'll never forget my experiences in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, and I'll never forget the memories I have with the friends I made on the trip.

If you are willing to be pushed beyond your comfort zone, if you are willing to be challenged, and if you are willing to put your whole self into this experience, you will get so much out of this program. You will change; it may be a slow shift at first, but by the time you are finished, you will see how much you have changed (for the better) since the beginning of the semester. You will make good, good friends and you will fall in love with the region you travel. There is no better way to learn than though travel!

Carpe was a great experience and if you feel lost or in need of guidance Carpe is a great way of finding it while also learning many valuable travel and personal skills you can use for the rest of your life!!

Its a great experience if you want to better yourself. The group dynamics was great practice for future group settings like in a workplace or family. However, the strict structure may not be for everyone.

Thank you Carpe Diem for an awesome semester. It was full of twists and turns, but in the end I'm coming out molded into a new version of myself. I met great people who have restored my faith in the future. I saw things I never could dream of, experienced a culture completely foreign to me. I'm excited to begin my university studies with a new perspective and state of mind.

If a student is thinking taking a gap year I would say do it! It really makes you think and express who you are. If you don't want you want to do carpe diem will help you with that! You are in a safe program as well.

Carpe Diem Education is an amazing program that has changed my life in so many amazing ways. I have been home for almost a year now and it is crazy how much I miss the everyday hustle and bustle of my Carpe trip. Every day was a new experience from waking up and milking cows to scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. This program was a perfect balance between work and play. The leaders for my Carpe trip were nothing short of amazing, they would push us to do our best always and were so unbelievably qualified I never once felt unsafe or at risk of danger the entire 3 months. If anyone out there is looking for an experience of a lifetime Carpe Diem Education is the trip for you. <3 Hongi fall 2014

This was the first time I had ever left the United States. Being Cambodian I was really drawn to the South East Asia Program since my dad didn't really teach me very much about our heritage. I was very afraid at first but as it came closer to the day we would leave I was so excited. To partake in the Meditation retreat in Thailand, the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and the home stay in Sapa, Vietnam I can safely say that this was the most transforming experience I had ever had in my life. I learned more about myself, others, and the world in the three months abroad than the 20 years I had in Portland, Oregon. If you have any doubts or inclinations not to travel but you want to Carpe Diem will help you and you will learn along the way.

We read often of the benefits of gap years, how they are life-changing, prepare young adults for college, and often termed "the best year ever." While these claims hold much legitimacy, few programs can unequivocally fulfill all of them; that is, except Carpe Diem Education. 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. 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 gained essential skills in organization, writing, budgeting, and leadership; I tackled fears head-on while cultivating an insatiable curiosity; I grew more confident in my abilities scholastically and personally; I became completely fluent in another language equivalent to the level of my mother tongue; I created life-long friendships with other participants and locals to this day. Carpe Diem stood by me, answering my plethora of questions before the trip, appeasing my nervous mother during the trip, and accommodating me to practice my religious observances as a modern-orthodox Jew throughout the program. The coordinators supported me in arranging my internship placement, while simultaneously giving me enough space to be independent too. My trip leaders on the group trip were inspiring, confronting, and were the catalysts toward driving the personal developments of participants as we all pushed our comfort zone together with volunteer work that included arduous physical labor, language school, teaching English, and working with wildlife. My independent internship at an Inca ruin Hacienda gave me ample opportunity to dabble into a variety of fields, including farming, local cooking, horseback riding, translating, writing, and being a tour guide to hone my interests for my future career and quench my diverse interests. Carpe Diem pushed me emotionally and physically every day to find comfort through discomfort, to understand and be proactive in my surroundings, and to cultivate empathy. I was also able to earn college credit through Portland State University (PSU), which was an incredible opportunity considering that at the time of my gap year, I was unsure where I would attend school. Today, I have finished a degree from an ivy-league institution, consider myself a world traveler (whatever that really means), and am confident in following where the wind blows for my next steps. And for my accomplishments, strengths, attitude, determination, courage, and drive, I will forever be indebted to Carpe Diem. If you want a program that will open you up and allow you to carve out who you hope to be, to gain inspiration for your future, to truly make a difference, to build life-long relationships, and to push your comfort zone, look no further, because you’ve arrived at the best possible place.

I didn't know what to expect from this experience, but when it happened it was a journey that changed my perspective in many ways. Carpe Diem education gave me an opportunity to travel and learn. I was challenged mentally and emotionally and was able to get out of my comfort zone which was something I never knew would be possible. I grew as a person. The Overseas educators were supportive and pushed us to get out of our comfort zones. The culture, the history, the food, and meeting new people was incredible. I surrounded myself with new adventures and through that I discovered myself.

My carpe diem gap year consisted of a group semester to India and a focused volunteer placement in Tanzania. To put it simply, I read a journal entry of mine that I wrote about a month before going on my trip and compared it to one I wrote just the other day. Carpe Diem is the reason there is such a significant difference between the two.

Carpe Diem was a last minute decision for me. I didn't know what to do with my semester free and out of the blue Carpe showed up. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I didn't look back. The trip felt very real. A lot of these programs can be a lot of bullshit where you go to a "remote country" and live it your way when you should be living it their way, if that makes sense. Carpe Diem made it as real as possible. This included talking about how problematic it was that we were all there doing this and realizing our privilege and also respecting that their culture is their culture and not ours to take. Very well done.

I took part in the Spring 2012 East Africa Semester and not only do I not regret that decision but my appreciation for that trip continues to grow. I was uninterested in school from the start and barely made it through high school, did not even apply to any colleges, and did not plan on continuing my education. Then I heard about Carpe Diem Education and I decided to take part and it was worth it. I learned to love learning, the rewards of giving back, the freedoms of responsibility and independence, and the wonders of travel. I made friends and memories I will have for the rest of my life, found passion that has led me through school, and developed values that are central to my life. Carpe Diem is a well run organization with skillful passionate leaders and I am sure all of their trips are just as amazing as East Africa and I strongly suggest everyone who has the opportunity to partake in the trip that calls them.

My experience with Carpe Diem was incredible. From a wonderfully helpful and flexible Portland HQ staff to the most amazing Overseas Educators I could've hoped for, Carpe takes great care of students. I spent three months in East Africa during my group semester learning constantly about culture, traveling, group dynamics, myself, and gratitude. It was a challenging and rewarding semester followed by my Focused Volunteer Placement in northern India, where I taught English to Tibetan refugees for three months and lived in a small, mixed community of Tibetans and Indians. I'd definitely recommend the Latitudes program, which includes the FVP semester, to anyone willing to commit a full year to Carpe Diem. Carpe's staff works with you to find the best placement for your individual interests and passions. In my opinion, there's no better way to learn as a young adult than through traveling, and Carpe is by far the best program I've found to facilitate that (not to mention the excellence of the college credit option).

This experience was amazing because of the mentors that took me to these countries. Carpe Diem Education makes sure the absolute best people are the ones leading the trip. Ben and Jess are my biggest role models and inspired me throughout the entire trip. Jess continues to brighten my life and email me monthly to let me know that I am cared about. Ben was my main friend on this trip that I could just hang out with and slackline between two trees when travel was making me anxious. The mentors on my trip are two people that are really confident in who they are as people and truly believe that travel will change you. Jess and Ben made me think, act and be a different person without even trying. Without Carpe Diem, and the amazing people they have lead these trips, I would not be continuing to travel. Jess inspired me to travel as much as I can, and now I can confidently say I am going to Thailand and Spain in 2016-2017 knowing that my mentors helped me get there.

I have yet to provide a review for my experience with CDE because it feels like one of those things that cannot really be articulated - like when a moment is so sweet that your camera could never really do it justice. Regardless of these limitations, CDE definitely deserves a good one. It's funny because I can so clearly remember looking through the reviews for the India program, and CDE in general on this website before I chose to participate. And here I am now, writing my own. So what was it that I was looking for in the reviews? What did I want to know? Would this actually be as exciting, adventurous and rewarding as it sounds? What happens if the food is too spicy for me to eat? Will I be sleeping for three months on cold ashram floors? Will I become a chai connoisseur? Will I meet a guru? Will I become enlightened? How long will my armpit hair be when I come back? Do only weird people do this sort of program? I won't provide the answers to these questions, because thats the beauty of experiencing this adventure for yourself. But I can promise you, this adventure is more than non-regrettable - it will change your life. *here's some photos that can't quite do these sweet moments justice

I loved my time in East Africa. The people and the organization we had the opportunity to interact with were absolutely amazing. Carpe was clearly very organized and the structure of the program supported us in gradually gaining independence as we learned more travel skills. Accommodations were generally very basic and the food is primarily rice and beans, so make sure you are ok with these factors before going on this trip. An open mind goes a long way towards making this semester extremely rewarding. I loved my time on this semester and still think about it as one of the best experiences of my life. Would highly recommend!

Carpe Diem is an amazing program that has so much to offer and it has completely changed my life for the better! I would not be where I am today without them. All of their programs sound amazing, but I decided to travel to Central America to learn some Spanish and to get culturally immersed into the life style. After studying Spanish for four weeks I was able to communicate around the towns and cities and also with my families that I was living with. The one thing I love about Carpe programs is that you are constantly moving. One week you can find yourself in a small town with not electricity and running water, and the next week you are studying Spanish in a city with everything that you could imagine. (Maybe even a hot shower!) Carpe wants you to experience everything that you possibly can in each country, and they do an amazing job coming up with the itinerary and doing just that. My guides were absolutely amazing as well. They were loving, caring, and so helpful with everything. They were there when you needed a hug, laugh, or a shoulder to cry on. And my amazing ITZA group will never be forgotten. I made 11 new amazing friends that I now consider family, and it is all thanks to Carpe. If I could go back and re-do my trip I would be leaving tomorrow. Thank you Carpe for this amazing experience that I will never forget.

Congratulations! By reading this review website you have already gotten one step closer to making the best decision of your life--Carpe Diem! The organization's committed staff and leaders strive to care for each and every student by providing them with the support they need before departure and abroad while simultaneously pushing students' comfort zones so that they can challenge themselves and grow into who they want to be as adults. As a student who traveled to Central America on a group-semester trip and then to Ecuador to do an independent internship with the Carpe Latitudes Program, I learned how to feel confident traveling as a woman--and even my family never once questioned my well-being when in the care of Carpe Diem. The Program has a structured itinerary coupled with each group's own will to pursue creative routes. If it weren't for Carpe Diem providing me with not only friendships that will last a lifetime, but also leadership, communication, and ultimately confidence to always stay true to myself, I would never be where I am in university today doing the research, course of study, and projects which I am currently undertaking. If you are ready to challenge yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically through travel, going with Carpe Diem will provide you with the security, coursework (if you choose to earn credit through Portland State University which is an AMAZING opportunity), and fundamental skills to prepare young adults to enter college and the real world. I cannot vouch enough for how much you will thank yourself for making the decision to pick up the phone, give Carpe Diem a call, and change your life.

I have always been a planner, but I never would have guessed traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji (FANZ) through Carpe Diem before heading off to college was part of it. That being said, this program was the best choice I have ever made. I was able to experience things I never thought were possible, my group was the best support system I have ever had, and I fell in love with every place I traveled too. I can't imagine my life without Carpe Diem, and after returning home from three months abroad, I feel the most confident I ever have about tackling college and going off into the "real world". I would highly recommend any of the Carpe Diem programs to anyone due to their diversity in places, and experiences! Academics: One of the big reasons why I chose Carpe Diem was the option to earn college credit from Portland State University. I took two classes and ended up with an "A" and a "B". I had many opportunities while overseas to conduct interviews, become culturally immersed, and gather all of the information I needed to fully complete each of my classes. Living Situation: Every week, while abroad, we rotated jobs. I really liked this component because it definitely made me a more confident traveler and gave me the skills I would need if traveling alone or without an organized program. One of the jobs was to book hostiles when need, and there was only one hostile I would say was poor and made me feel a tad uncomfortable. Besides that, everywhere we stayed was very accommodating and comfortable. Cultural Immersion: Cultural immersion was one of my favorite things about my Carpe Diem program! I was able to culturally immerse myself in THREE different cultures! Each cultural was so welcoming and open to sharing personal and historical stories. Each cultural immersion opportunity I experienced, I felt at home and part of their community. This aspect of the trip has led me to declare a minor in International Studies.

Carpe Diem is an amazing program that I will never regret doing. Its obvious that everyone involved with the program is truly dedicated to the students experience and safety. The programs director, Ethan Knight, works incredibly hard to provide a fantastic study abroad program that is not financially draining. With Carpe Diem you will be completely immersed in the culture so don't expect to be traveling like a tourist. This trip opened my eyes and changed my perspective on life, and I do not feel I would have had the same experience if I had chosen a different program. With the unique option to take up to 18 credits, this program had the same cost and credits that I would have received if I had chosen to attend my University. In my opinion, I don't know why anyone would want to sit in a classroom and learn about the world when you can get out there and live it!

Everything about Carpe Diem; the program, the administators, the idea, all works amazing together and they made an amazing experience for me and my fellow students.I had the most amazing experience of my life. I grew in so many ways that i never even knew were possible. Going on this trip was the best decision of my life so far, no doubt about it.

this was the best experience of my life. you cant understand unless you do it.

I had an amazing time on my Carpe Trip and would recommend it to anyone who asked. Between an opportunity to see the world in a whole new light to gaining a sense of self and independence this trip has been instrumental in my growth between leaving high school and entering my freshman year in college. The leaders give you just enough room let you make your own choice but will always be there to catch you if you really start to fall. I have gained an incredible amount from my 3 months in the south pacific with Carpe and would make the choice to do it again in a heartbeat.