Program Reviews

Taking a gap year was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It gave me an opportunity to be constantly out of comfort zone, step away from my normal life, create connections, learn about things I never would have, and a lot more. The most important thing I learned was how to travel, and how to be safe. I recommend anyone looking at this to take a gap year, and I think anyone else who has taken a gap year would say the same. This applies especially if you are nervous or scared to take one. The best way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone. If you have the means, do it. You may never get another chance to do something like it again.

Nothing brings a smile quicker to my face than when I recount the amazing time I had during my 3 months I spent in India. My overseas educators were incredibly fun and caring people who helped shape my experience more than I could ever thank them for. I immediately felt comfortable with the community of our group. Some of the memories that stick out the most are: visiting the Taj Mahal, eating lots and lots of thali and trekking at the foothills of the Himalayas. I am incredibly grateful for being able to go to India through Carpe Diem. Absolutely no regrets!

This trip was beyond unbelievable and a dream come true. I knew I wanted to do this program a year before I could even apply. I learned so much and came of out my trip as a more confident and responsible person. I learned about the culture from living with home-stays and was able to volunteer in each country. I got my scuba certification while in Vietnam and I have used it frequently since. My educators were so helpful with everything and they thought my group so much about each place we went to. I also met amazing people through the whole journey and came out of it with amazing life long friends all over the country.

I came back from India a more confident, compassionate human being. I made friendships that will last a life time and had leaders who widened my perspective tremendously. Carpe Diem had a miraculous impact on how I view the world and myself. The program is thoughtfully designed with authentic interactions to help young adults grow. If you are looking for an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and learn how to independently travel, Carpe Diem is perfect for you. India and my experiences there forever hold a very special place in my heart.

My Carpe Diem East Africa experience was amazing from start to finish. I learned so much about a different part of the world, met so many amazing people, volunteered in a variety of places, got scuba certified, and learned valuable travel skills that I have used many times since my semester ended. My Overseas Educators were great mentors as we explored the region and learned more about international travel with a group, on a budget, and in a foreign language. Highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to explore East Africa and may be new to international travel.

I could not have picked a better gap year option than this one! I left not knowing much about what to expect and I received more from this year abroad than I could have every hoped to achieve. For my first semester I traveled to India and my second I traveled to Bali, Indonesia. Every new place I went to ended up being a positive experience for me and I was constantly taken out of my comfort zone in fun ways. I also had the best overseas educators who traveled with me on my first semester! It was challenging at times being in a place so foreign, but every challenge I overcame helped me to become a stronger person and taught me lessons that continue to help me in my life back in the states. My first semester effectively prepared me to travel on my own and my second semester tested my travel abilities. Some other aspects that I thought were really cool about this program are that they don't allow you to have technology your first semester and they give you a lot of freedom to explore your surroundings.

Almost ten years later and not a week goes by that I don't recall memories from this program. I could write an essay sharing all of the incredible experiences: scuba diving, surfing in Costa Rica, walking bioluminescent beaches at night in search of leatherback turtles...the food, the friends, the education. It affects me every day.

Carpe Diem does an incredible job of organizing an experience that will change your life forever and set you on a path for self-discovery and global understanding.

I am so happy I decided to go to the South Pacific with Carpe. Unfortunately, my trip got cut short due to COVID-19. The time I did have in New Zealand was amazing. Carpe Diem does an amazing job planning itinerary, connecting with locals, and supporting students. While abroad, students participate in a diverse set of activities and are given skills to use in country and at home. Not only did we have fun, we learned about the different environments we were in and the everyday issues they face. It is interesting to learn and compare these issues with my life at home. Everyone should consider this program, it was life changing!!

I was part of the East Africa program and traveled for three months. I was also part of the future connect program at pcc and was eligible for the Carpe Mundi sub program. Carpe diem is a great mix of travel, education, and travel education! I learned how to talk in the Swahili at Swahili school, volunteered at a rhino sanctuary and learned about the extinction of rhinos, learned how to rent my own hostel, and how to buy bus tickets in a foreign country! I learned so many valuable things that I will hold with me forever.

Deciding to participate in a Carpe program during my gap year was probably one of the best decisions of my life. It was so amazing to travel in a country by truly getting to know the people who live there and the culture. An authentic, immersive experience is something Carpe prioritizes and everything we did felt very intentional. The home stays were a wonderful experience that helped me improve my Spanish and it was great to get to know locals on a personal level. There was a really well balanced mix of hiking, Spanish school, team-building, exploring, and independent time. Our Overseas Educators were incredibly supportive and helped create a positive, safe environment which I appreciated. I wouldn't trade the weeks I had with Carpe for anything--I gained new perspectives, met amazing people, and developed a greater sense of self confidence. I think that everyone would benefit from a gap year, and especially with a Carpe program!