Location
  • United States of America
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel College Credit Conservation Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Social Justice Wilderness
Financial Support
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
Camping Snorkeling Surfing
Timeframe
Fall Spring
Housing
Cabin Guesthouse Hostel Lodge Tent
Age Min.
17
Age Max
22

Pricing

Starting Price
16600
Price Details
Program tuition includes all food, accommodations, and scheduled program activities for the duration of the program. Note that you'll need to budget for your airfare, travel insurance, and spending money. Airfare to/from Hawai'i estimated $700 - $1,000 and an inter-island flight estimated at $60 - $100.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Some Equipment Meals Park Fees Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Some Equipment
Mar 27, 2023
May 12, 2023
14 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend the semester on Maui and the Big Island exploring our natural world via the island ecosystem. On this semester, you'll engage with a deeper side of Hawai'i - it's no beach vacation. As a land of elemental forces coming together to create one of the most extraordinary and beautiful ecosystems on earth, Hawai'i hosts the most isolated population center on Earth, resulting in a distinct culture that remains vital and alive today.

For those who love the natural world, come be humbled by the grandeur of the ocean, the migrations of whales, the vibrance of the land, and the magic of the Aloha. For those who wish to have greater insight into Hawaiian culture, the complexities of U.S. colonization, and the ongoing dialogue about Hawaiian sovereignty, land rights, and social justice, come learn about important cultural and social issues that are happening within the United States.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We recognize that we are a long way from the diversity we aim for within our students, staff, and partners. We want and need more diversity to truly become the organization we would like to be. We recognize that this will not happen overnight or without dedicating time, attention, and resources. To that end, we have created a strategic plan to address our current shortfalls and to make significant improvements, which you can see on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Neurodivergent Support

At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. During the interview and application process, we have honest and direct conversations with students and families about the support that our staff is able to provide throughout the program experience. We are committed to creating a culture of acceptance and support. To that end, our Overseas Educators and local leaders are selected for their skill in group facilitation and promoting inclusive group dynamics.

Accessibility Support

At Carpe Diem, each applicant reads through our extensive Essential Eligibility Criteria prior to enrollment. This criteria allows applicants to determine if the organization is an appropriate fit for their gap semester/year goals and their individual needs. We have honest and open conversations with applicants about our ability to support individual needs on each program, with the ultimate goal of a healthy and successful experience for all students. In the past, we have worked with students with severe allergies, diabetes, chronic injuries, and mental health diagnoses. We know each student's journey is individual and we work with families to support these individual needs where possible to help determine if the program is a good fit for their gap semester goals.

Impact

Sustainability

We are committed to maximizing the net positive impact while minimizing the carbon footprint of every program. In our office, on our programs, and through our carbon offset match, our programs are geared toward environmental education to empower future leaders to move their communities to take action. During our programs, students learn more about their impact as individuals and a travel community - then take a solution-oriented lens to tackling key issues. We also contribute to and amplify the voices of organizations and partners who focus on permaculture, natural building, and sustainable solutions.

Ethical Impact

Our programs are designed to connect to our local communities and provide reciprocal exchange and engagement. Through engaging in experiential education, community engagement, and intercultural exchange, our students develop enhanced perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and a profound sense of self-discovery and personal growth. We work with vetted local providers to build their businesses as they provide value to our students and programming. With our homestay families, we ensure we minimize our footprint by regularly rotating the communities we work with and evaluating our social impact alongside their community leaders.

Program Highlights

  • Delve into permaculture: Live and learn from experts on a regenerative farm alongside passionate conservationists
  • Mountain to sea adventure: Trek and camp in the wilderness, then grab your surfboard for a lesson among the waves
  • Listen and learn: Engage with the history and tradition of Hawaiian culture as your new neighbors share their expertise in food systems, star navigation, and Hawaiian language
  • Form your perspective: Together, we explore the effects of colonization, and the social, political, and environmental activism aimed at restoring Hawaiian sovereignty
  • The Carpe Diem experience: Participate in a mindfulness retreat designed to deepen your knowledge of self, reflect on your journey, and integrate your experiences

Scholarships

Carpe Diem Education Scholarships

Carpe Diem Education awards $30,000 annually to support diversity and inclusion in its programs. The Access Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for a gap year semester or full-year experience. The Inclusion Scholarship offers up to $2,000 for a gap year semester. The Carpe Mundi Scholarship is for Portland-based students. Grants are mostly need-based, and applications open in January.

Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 13 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.31%
  • 4 rating 7.69%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.45
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 13 reviews
Default avatar
Kayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hawai’i Spring 2023

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!!!!

Pros
  • Learning so much about yourself
  • Spending a lot of time under water
  • Educating yourself on the planet
Cons
  • OE’s only meet each other like 2 weeks before program
  • Living communally can be hard sometimes
  • Food isn’t great
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ukiah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Semester of Self Reflection

While attending Carpe Diem’s Hawaii Gap Semester program, I learned about a lot of different topics. We learned about things from history to permaculture, but the most important/unexpected? I learned about myself! This program gave me space to reflect deeply about my values in life and gave me clarity about my future plans. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to this beautiful place, be so immersed in the natural world, learn about the culture and history and make friends as I did it.

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Luke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hawaii Spring 2022 - An Authentic, Valuable Experience

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.

Pros
  • Program fostered self growth
  • Ability to connect with people was unbeatable
  • Allowed for cultural immersion & enlightenment
Cons
  • Had to get used to wearing dirty clothes
  • Majority of the program was spent camping in tents (a pro for me, but may be a con for some)
69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a Lifetime Experience

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.

Pros
  • Meaningful, personal connections with locals
  • Lots of travel within Maui and the Big Island
  • Great partners
Cons
  • A lot of camping, if you aren't into that
  • A lot of time is spent cooking
75 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Wynn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spring 2022 Hawaii Semester

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

Pros
  • Very limited access to phones and technology for students, which helped the group bond and made everyone more present
  • There was a lot of space to form close bonds with people in the group
  • Really safe environment and clear rules
Cons
  • The vast majority of the program is camping, so if you don’t like camping it’s probably not for you
  • Limited access to laundromats and time to wash clothes
  • I personally would have like more opportunities to buy fresh food from farmers markets and locals rather than big box stores
75 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

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.

Pros
  • Very supportive
  • Amazing cultural immersion
  • Time to have fun and relax built in
Cons
  • If you do not enjoy camping this is not the right program
  • NA
  • NA
69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Carpe Diem Hawaii Trip Spring 2022

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.

Pros
  • insanely fun living and making memories with friends
  • learned so much about Hawaiian culture and became close with Hawaiian locals
  • I learned a lot about myself and grew a lot
Cons
  • limited food because of cooler situation (1-2 coolers with ice that melted fast)
  • stayed in tents (many bugs, sometimes tents got wet inside)
72 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Cooper
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Aloha experience

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.

What would you improve about this program?
One of the rules was no cliff jumping and that really stunk. We saw a lot of fantastic spots and we were not allowed to do it. It’s a very small and irrelevant thing but it would’ve been a ton of fun.
79 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers