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 Daniela Dominguez, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Costa Rica

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 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 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 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 Dariella Fernandez, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Costa Rica

Like most people, my fundraising began with a struggle. I didn't know who I should send my letters to, or what the letter should contain, or how much money I should ask for. The example fundraising letter on the Greenheart Travel website helped a lot, I just copy and pasted, changed a few things around, and added some info here and there to make the perfect letter. Read more...

by Luzmaria Guzman, Greenheart Travel High School Scholarship Winner to Costa Rica

I really think I was meant to be a Costa Rican. Today was very enlightening and really fun. Waking up in Costa Rica was an experience I won’t forget. At the bed and breakfast, Vida Tropical, travelers wake up early to get ahead on their day. Because I heard shuffling outside my room, I lay awake on my bed. I swear with the gradual rising of the sun, I heard many bird calls. Some short and sweet, like “piv-piv-pivv.” But some carried a tone that I cannot match. Read more...

by Jill Robinson and the Greenheart Travel Costa Rica Scholarship Group

Their journey to Costa Rica began in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, but the expectations and anxieties had been racing through their minds long before the July 17 departure. The Center for Cultural Interchange/Greenheart Travel high school scholarship winners were on their way to a country they had never visited, to stay with host families they have never met and to learn more about themselves and the environment then they could imagine possible in a ten-day trip. Read more...

 by Jacki Carter, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in Chile

As soon as I sat down in my seat, the man to my left started chatting. He was a nice surgeon in training at the University of Washington who was heading to Orange County for a friend’s wedding after being up all night doing a kidney transplant. After finding out I was heading to Chile for four months, he started sharing his own travel stories, and immediately made me feel like an inadequate adventurer. Read more...

by Christine Rheem, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Ecuador

Before my trip to volunteer in Ecuador, people asked me how I thought it was going to be and I had no answer for them. The fact that I was going to be living in another country didn’t register in my head until I looked out the airplane window and saw the bright lights of Quito. I´m glad that I didn’t have any assumptions about anything, because Ecuador has already surpassed any sort of expectations I could have had. Read more...

by Kalie McQuillen, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Kenya

Tonight is my last night at Tania. When this started, I couldn't even picture this day in my head. Now it is here, right in front of me. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. It was just like everyone said, the beginning will drag on, then the time will fly by. My bags are packed on the spare bed. My backpack for the coast is waiting to be filled completely. The shelves are bare and everything is stowed away. Read more...

by Morgann Lyles, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Benin

Browse through more photos of Morgann's adventure in Benin. Read more...

 by Morgann Lyles, Greenheart Travel Volunteer Abroad Participant in Benin

Based on my month in Benin, here are some things I learned:

1.) There is nothing in the world like a cold bottle of water.
2.) Start every day with adventure in mind. Never expect the same old routine! Sometimes a change of plan presents an amazing, new opportunity.
3.) A smile, a handshake, and a kind word can be the best medicine, even when you don’t speak the same language.  Read more...