The world around us has become still as we wake up for our last activity day in Puerto Rico. The island’s song flows through the trees, harmonizing with the sound of the coquis. Breakfast began at 6am, though I doubt Read more…
Today, if you were to observe our group from afar, you might see a group of students who went on a serious adventure. While there is truth to our group being made up of students and us going on an Read more…
The potent theme throughout our trip has been collaboration. Many people put a lot of effort and time into creating the amazing trip that we had. However, collaboration has only been possible because of the community that has brought us Read more…
I woke up exhausted from the sounds of Ponce: car alarms, honking, and the blaring of music past midnight kept me awake. This morning it is so easy to be grouchy or unthankful for the smallest things. With a long Read more…
Cultures, food, and good feelings. What do all three of these things have in common? They were all things we got to share with others in Puerto Rico. August 8 began with visiting the Parque Ceremonial Caguana on the Taino Read more…
I began my morning on August 6th by waking up early enough to enjoy an exquisite breakfast at our hotel, Hacienda Tamarindo, and my last couple of hours in Vieques. A couple of friends and I gained the motivation to Read more…
August 5th, 2025: The first thought that comes to mind while observing the Ceiba tree in Vieques is to breathe and relax. Now, I don’t have those thoughts often, but when our tour guide Mark for the day described the Read more…
Everyone and everything has their own story. Moments of collaboration can make or break how “big” or “small” our worlds can be. We can choose what we want to listen and learn from-who and what we grow from. After an Read more…
On the first morning of our trip to Puerto Rico, we had the privilege to at El Comedor de la Kennedy, a place where free meals are provided to those that have food insecurity. There is no limit to type Read more…
Gazing over the edge looking at Iguazu Falls from thousands of feet above brought a flood of emotions to my mind. This was our last full day in Brazil and I was already feeling emotional, but something about this moment Read more…
Throughout this whole trip, there has been an element of having to go with the flow, which was most apparent on the day that we went to the Brazilian side of Iguacu Falls. We were given a lot more leeway Read more…
Something incredible and unique about the human experience is that our relationships and interactions with those around us define our lives. Humans thrive especially on communication and connection, and relationships with other people fundamentally shape and change our being. As Read more…
Today, May 26, 2025, was our last full day in Sao Paulo. We started the day by traveling to a local church in San Andres, where a music school for school age children operates during the weekdays. The school is Read more…
I’ve always found it fascinating how each of us has sacred spaces. Those few places that offer a deep sense of peace, safety, and belonging. Maybe it’s your favorite coffee shop, a quiet morning on your porch, or the familiar Read more…
May 25, 2025 Today was one of those days that leaves a real mark on your heart. While traveling through Brazil, our group attended a local Brazilian church in Santo Andre. I could tell from the moment I entered the Read more…
Our day started off very slow, which was so perfect because the day before we walked almost 20,000 steps which was almost all uphill. Also, the fact that I wasn’t feeling well, and not having many opportunities to sleep in, Read more…
Growing up, hiking wasn’t an activity I particularly enjoyed. Going into today, I wanted to make sure that my mindset was refreshed to fully embrace the experience. It was a great, sunny day for hiking, and I wanted to enjoy Read more…
One of the lyrics of one of my favorite songs (Vienna by Billy Joel) says, “Where’s the fire? What’s the hurry about? You’d better cool it off before you burn it out. You got so much to do and only Read more…
Today we visited the headquarters of a massive perfume and beauty products company. The greatest lesson that I learned on the tour of Natura is that the beauty of nature is compounding. It is not just one thing that makes Read more…
Today on our Brazil adventure, we journeyed to the beautiful headquarters of one of the highest-grossing companies in the country: Natura! Natura is a brand that sells cosmetics, fragrances, soaps, and other self-care products, all with an emphasis on sustainability Read more…
There are few things like a trip that can expose the kind of person you are. Our time in São Paulo has definitely succeeded in doing this. Not only was today full of fun activities, but these activities revealed just Read more…
As cheesy and cliche as it sounds, music really does have the power to connect people. This was especially clear when we did a samba workshop on Wednesday May 21! A large part of the workshop was learning how to Read more…
“It’s ‘outra,’ not ‘ootra!’” My Brazilian friends Alice and Matheus were laughing at me as I tried to pronounce this Portuguese word correctly over and over again during our three-hour Portuguese lesson. Overwhelmed, I finally got it right and sat Read more…
On the first full Monday of the trip, we went out to help a local group called Todo Mundo Feliz. Todo Mundo Feliz is a group focused on providing after-school care for young kids in Santo Andre and even taking Read more…
Today, May 20, 2025, the Global Honors students in Brazil spent the day engaging and dissecting language. We started the day by studying the Portuguese language for three hours, followed by two hours exploring and interacting with language at the Read more…
Brazilian culture is so diverse and special, and it seems everyone is involved in their culture. We honestly didn’t have a plan for our day until a couple days before we went, so it was on a whim, but it Read more…
On the eighth day of our trip to São Paulo, Brazil, we were fortunate enough to be able to give our time and resources entirely for the betterment of others. Our group spent the day at an elementary school and Read more…
When we started preparing for this trip, I knew that learning Portuguese would be the most difficult thing for me. I love learning new languages, but I have a horrible memory. I knew that I had to put effort in Read more…
May 16, 2025 – Bertioga Beach, Brazil Today was all about the beach. Brazil is known for its beautiful beaches, and it sure lived up to the hype. Bertioga offers a perfect cultural immersion into Brazilian life. The vibrant spirit Read more…
May 16th, 2025, will have to go down as one of the best days of our trip. We were provided the opportunity to go to the Sesc club in Bertioga, São Paulo. Every part of the trip was an exchange Read more…
Today, I learned that even if people do not share a common tongue or culture, many things can bring very different people together. As the day unfolded, I began to notice that even across different languages, there are certain experiences Read more…
I don’t think I realized just how much I could experience and learn about a culture in one day of activities and sightseeing. I think it is safe to say that whenever visiting somewhere new, your experience is going to Read more…
Many people talk about the importance of learning some of the language of the place to which you are traveling. However, you don’t truly understand its importance until you arrive, and I was no exception to this. Today, we left Read more…
It is fascinating to learn a new culture’s traditions, foods, and values. Today was a full journey into the heritage and traditions of Brazil, highlighted by Capoeira, food, history, and (for me) futebol. We had a Capoeira class in the Read more…
One thing I think about ever time I travel is how quickly your whole routine flies out the window. All of a sudden, you’re in a new country, new city, with a new language, new family, and in this case Read more…
Have you ever heard the saying “life is only as good as the people you do it with”? When I think about my second day in Brazil, I am especially reminded of this saying. Brazil is so incredibly beautiful, and Read more…
Today I received the most genuine and warm welcome that I feel any person could ever give to another. Arriving in an unfamiliar place that is nearly 5,000 miles away from your home can leave you feeling very worried and Read more…
“We’re not in Kansas anymore.” These words, first uttered by Dorothy from “Wizard of Oz”, were repeated by “Avatar: The Way of Water”‘s Colonel Quaritch as I watched the movie on the plane ride to Brazil. They were also the Read more…
I had no idea what to expect on any international trip, let alone a trip to São Paulo, Brazil. There is no amount of preparation that can replicate a true culturally immersive experience, which is what I have now been Read more…