by Zoe Brockman, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in Japan

When I first met my Japanese host mother, Akiko-san, and host sister, Saki-chan, I was very surprised- probably because they were both complete opposites from what I had imagined, but also because they both are dynamic people and blew me out of the water.Soon enough, though, we were headed for the bird marking field, where about ten thousand swallows flew in giant circles overhead, so close that I felt as if i could reach out and touch them. On the other side was a great view of Mt. Fuji in the sunset. Read more...

by Katey Archer, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in France

Saint Nabord, France is really pretty. There are so many boulangeries and patisseries and cafes and restaurants shoved into this town that it is just incredible, and if I didn’t see it for myself, I’d think someone would be either lying or exaggerating when they told me just how many there are. It’s cool though. Everything is really pretty though, houses, town, hillsides, forests-you name it and it’s most likely to be pretty. Read more...

by Carla Canham, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in the Republic of Georgia

I thought after traveling to seven destinations within the past two years would make me what one might consider a "professional" packer; however, from the abyss that is my bed, I clearly have some room for growth in this department. I do have some tips, tricks, and techniques for easier packing, though, and I'll share them here: Read more...

by Colleen McCollum, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in Japan

Watching my college sister pack for her next year in a rented house, I wondered to myself if my own luggage would be similar. Most definitely not.
My sister had half a U-Haul truck at her disposal. She packed a box of books, a pretty desk lamp, a pencil case to be attractively placed in the light of the desk lamp. I packed fun things like Common Sense and Portable.
It’s pretty tough, being efficient while still maintaining personal identity. Read more...

by Daniela Dominguez, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Costa Rica

by Zoe Brockman, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in Japan

The Goodbye Letters are all finished and presently sit on my bed, waiting to be given out, to be read. The letters have helped me put an end to most of my sadness, and now, the night before departure for Japan, I feel perfectly calm. I understand fully that this will be the most difficult trip of my life, that anything could happen and that I will miss those I love more than I can ever comprehend. I understand all of this, yet I feel as if I am ready. Read more...

by Braulio Fernandez, Greenheart Travel High School Scholarship Winner in Costa Rica

I’ll start off where I ended yesterday. I got my fix of tortillas today! I’m assuming that I’ll be eating tortillas with every meal now since my host mom found out I missed them. I didn’t want to tell her directly by asking for tortillas because I thought it would be rude, but luckily, my host sister asked me what kind of food I liked during lunch today. Read more...

by Katey Archer, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in France

I got my visa and my plane ticket to France! I officially leave August 26th now (and if you don't know EXACTLY how far/close away that is, then just take a leisurely scroll on up to the top o' my blog and check it out for yourself. (Nifty nifty-je sais!) I'll arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport at like 7:50 a.m. and then be met by a CCI representative who will then take me to the train station and help me get onto the correct train. Read more...

by Carla Canham, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in the Republic of Georgia

So why is the title of "Crazy Carla to the Caucasus" most suitable? Because it's simply a perfect subtitle, if you will, to "The Long Way Around" and the name of my blog in its entirety. Because when I tell my friends and family I am moving to the Republic of Georgia, although most people have not even an inkling of where to I am referring, they all respond with a similar nonchalance: "Oh, of course you are." Read more...

by Zoe Brockman, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in Japan

As the date of my departure looms closer and closer, I am starting to prepare myself mentally for Japan. I recently bought six Japanese magazines, for instance, and I am currently reading them cover to cover, making sure to read a little bit before I go to sleep every night. In this way, I am studying Japanese culture and fashion, as well as stepping up my Japanese reading skills. Read more...

by Dariella Fernandez, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Costa Rica

Before going to Costa Rica I had been told that Ticans eat rice and beans, however I could have never predicted the huge amount of these two foods they really eat. Pinto, rice and beans mixed together, is eaten for breakfast. Rice and refried beans along with a few vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower is served for lunch. Rice and freshly cooked black beans with tortillas and eggs is made for dinner. Read more...

by Brittani McLeod, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in the Republic of Georgia

As my time ends as an Americorps volunteer with the International Rescue Committee I am asked by many what I plan to do next in my life. The conversation usually goes something like this. “So Brittani, what are you going to be doing after your term is up?”
“…uh..well… I think that I am going to go to the Republic of Georgia to teach English“
“Oh! I love Georgia!” they squeal back ” they have really wonderful peaches and…wait why are you teaching English to English speakers?”..
“Oh. No…Its the REPUBLIC of Georgia…” I remind them.  Read more...

by Jordain Moore, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in Argentina

I have begun to understand my surroundings as if I have been here for months already. All my life I never thought I would actually be here, sitting in this new home in Argentina. I have begun to walk the streets and attend school with a proud, confident attitude. However there still exists that small feeling of insecurity as I ride the bus in the early morning darkness to school. Read more...

by Jill Robinson and the Greenheart Travel High School Scholarship Winners to Costa Rica

"I can finally say that I am head first in Costa Rica," Nitza Solis wrote in her journal. "The 'toe test' (to see how cold the water is) of Costa Rica is finally over. I am officially here! The activity that stood out to me was the coffee taste testing. It was so good and an authentic piece of Costa Rica. I never knew there are coffee tasters, much like wine tasters." The four students had arrived without much of a taste for this morning staple, but as the day progressed, an appreciation for the hard work that went into a morning cup o' joe had grown ten-folds. Read more...

by Jordain Moore, Greenheart Travel High School Abroad Participant in Argentina

Hundreds of thoughts, ideas, and desires fleeted through my wandering mind as I searched the vast airport for some form of familiarity. I was anxious, anxious for my use of Spanish to blossom, to truly experience this grand new country of Argentina in the best of ways. It was as though I had stepped into a huge room with no floor: I could see where I was and where I should go, but I needed to find my own way to cross the distance. Read more...