Carpe Diem Education | Hawai'i Semester

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.

I went to Hawaii looking for an informative experience both about a culture I was unfamiliar with, as well as environmental resilience. I left Hawaii feeling more myself than I have in years (along with having a much deeper understanding of Hawaiian culture and sustainability). Carpe Diem clearly puts a lot of effort into their partnerships with local families and organizations, and provided tons of unique opportunities across two islands in the archipelago. From working with conservation groups and permaculture farms to surfing, snorkeling, and hiking, this trip brought together adventure and cultural experience in a very cohesive way. The format of the trip flowed well, the overseas educators were so well qualified and joys to travel with, and I made so many friends both within the group and the greater community on the islands.

It isn't a walk in the park kind of trip; there are challenges, as not everyone is accustomed to camping for extended periods of time, or cooking every meal for themselves. But these were valuable experiences that I think I benefited from.

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 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.

I loved this trip! It was really well organized and very safe. The activities were incredibly fun (we did a mix of work like farming and clearing land and fun things like surfing, paddle boarding, and hiking). The program was very educational as we learned a lot about protecting the environment (marine and land conservation), Hawaiian culture and history, and social/life skills. We stayed in tents for the majority of the trip which was a challenge for some of us. Sometimes the tents got wet inside and there were bugs but we worked through it and in my opinion, it was worth it. Carpe Diem has a huge emphasis on pushing your personal boundaries and the program educators definitely encouraged us to do this so it's important to be open minded coming into this. If you're the type of person who likes a lot of alone time, this probably isn't the trip for you. We were constantly surrounded by the group and though there is some chill time that you can take alone, there were definitely many times when my group would've appreciated more relaxation time. We had 5 days of student travel near the end of the trip which was really nice because we learned how to plan activities, transportation, food, and budgeting.

I came into this trip very hesitant because I wanted to just be in college like my friends. After the first two days, I knew I was going to enjoy it. I became really good friends with certain people and as the semester went on, that bond expanded to the whole group. I have a deep love for the ocean and being on this trip just helped support it. There is a good chunk of surfing which was amazing. Living in a group can be stressful at times but I felt as if I learned so much more with that aspect. I wish I could do it again.

My semester is Hawaii was both everything I’d hoped for and nothing like what I expected.

We did everything I’d expected we’d do— we participated in community service, worked with local contacts, and learned about Hawaiian history and culture. I learned so much about those beautiful islands and the people who live there.

What I didn’t expect was the personal transformation I experienced. I came into this program knowing myself in one way, and left knowing myself in a completely new light. I realized what my values truly were and the kind of person I did and didn’t want to be. I pushed myself past what I thought my limits were, whether that was related to physical exhaustion or my emotional endurance.

I feel the greatest lesson I learned from my semester in Hawaii is that, by clearing my mind from the chatter of social media and the ‘outside’ world on my phone, I can step back and recognize that I am not my emotions or my thoughts. In any given situation, the way I feel is not necessarily the way things are. This clarity brought me a perspective (in tough situations especially) that helped shed light on the most productive solutions, instead of stewing in anger or guilt or sadness.

I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to get to know the real Hawaii (not the touristy Hawaii!) better, while also getting to know themselves in a new way.

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! :)