Plus 3 Ecuador has officially wrapped up, but that doesn’t mean that our last day was uneventful. As always, the group gathered bright and early for our last breakfast together before turning in our lodge room keys and heading on the bus to head on back to the Quito airport. Now you see, the bus…
Tag: Summer2025
Last few days : Day 11, 12, 13
Today was a chill day. We woke at 7:30 as usual for breakfast at 8:00. Straight after breakfast, we started our presentations on Bio’s chocolate factory. My teammates are Maddie, Mark, and Kayhaan. We went to our rooms and sat outside working on our presentation. Afterwards, we chilled in our rooms for a few hours…
Day 3, 4, 5, 6 in Equador
Beginning day 3, we set out to visit a rose greenhouse. We learned about care for roses, customer demand, and the different types of roses. We were also gifted beautiful roses. Afterward, we headed back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, we went to a building where we learned a bit about Moncayo’s culture…
My Most Memorable Experience Yet
As I reflect on the past two weeks, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this incredible journey through Costa Rica. This trip has been so much more than just an educational experience—it’s been a chance to connect deeply with the people, the land, and the culture that make this country so vibrant. I’m especially thankful…
Water, Water, Water
Today was the last day of our site visits, and it was both informative and eye-opening!We started the day by visiting the Oil Park, followed by a tour of the Water Purification Center. Unfortunately, the Oil Park was recently purchased by a private owner, so public access was limited. Although we couldn’t explore much of…
A Sweet Success
Visiting Sibo Chocolate provided an incredible look into how chocolate production is both an art and a social enterprise. From learning about the historical roots of cacao to tasting their rich, sustainable products, it’s clear that Julio and George have built something truly special since starting in 2008. Their decision to leave their careers, train…
Beyond the Books
Today was a super exciting part of our visit here to Brimingham as we were actually able to visit one of their healthcare facilities.. We had the opportunity to go to the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and learn firsthand about the realities of working in mental health care in the UK….
Bombs and Baseball
Starting this chilly morning by boarding the charter bus to go to the DMZ, which is the border between North and South Korea. It was very interesting to see the amount of security and the precautions needed to enter the area. To get there, we first had to drive in the charter bus, then transfer to…
DMZ, Dancing, and Dugouts: Day 10
Hey y’all! Today was packed with contrast – history and sport, tension and celebration. We started with a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a deeply significant place in Korean history and global politics. The bus ride was about an hour long, which gave me a much-needed nap before what turned into a surprisingly uphill…
Strykers, Stairs, and Serenity: Day 9
Hey y’all! Today, we traveled to Camp Casey, a U.S. military base located near the DMZ, where we had the opportunity to tour around with two Pitt alumni currently working in ROTC, Grace and Will. It was fascinating to see how they’ve carried their experiences abroad into such a high-stakes professional setting. One of the…
Mountain, Tree, Waterfall
Today, we started our day by boarding a charter bus, which was a welcome change after many days of relying on public transportation. I didn’t realize how much I would miss riding a bus until we had the chance to travel more comfortably. Our first destination was Camp Casey, a U.S. military base where some…
Mixing it up at the Seoul Tower
Today, we had a late start to our day, but it was well worth it because we visited the iconic Seoul Tower! Getting up to the skyline was definitely a bit of an adventure. We had to take a bus that slowly wound its way up the steep and winding hillside, offering glimpses of the…
Heights, High Notes, and Homemade Bibimbap: Day 8
Hey y’all! Today we made our way to Seoul Tower, and the weather couldn’t have been better! It was sunny with a perfect breeze. The panoramic views from the top were stunning and we could even spot the Blue House in the distance, which brought back memories from day one. It was a full circle…
Heritage, Hand-cut Noodles, and Hanoks: Day 7
Hey y’all! Today was one of the most culturally rich days of our trip so far. We visited Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighborhood where traditional Korean homes, called hanoks, are still preserved and lived in. Historically, this area was home to aristocrats and even royal heirs after marriage. Walking through the narrow alleyways felt…
Cafeterias, Campus, and Cognitive Science: Day 6
Hey y’all! Today was definitely one of the more hectic days of the trip. We were scheduled to visit Yonsei University, one of Korea’s most prestigious institutions, but got off to a delayed start. Despite the rough beginning, the visit offered an insightful look into both Korean university life and advanced research. We had lunch…
Seoul Day 6!
Today, we took a business trip to Yonsei University. It is a top-three university in Korea and incredibly hard to get into. The campus is huge and beautiful, and the highlight is Underwood Memorial Hall. These buildings were super old and cool-looking. Ivey went up each part of the building. In front of it was…
Palace Walls and College Halls
Today was another unforgettable day on our journey, as we met up with the amazing Tim again for some more fun tours! We began the morning at Blenheim Palace, and from the moment we stepped through the gates, it felt like we had entered a world of grandeur and history. The palace is absolutely massive…
How to Love Birmingham in 10 Days – Day 6
Today was our seventh day in Birmingham, and it was among the most insightful so far. We went on a Black Heritage Walk led by the excellent Marcia, who was easily one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining guides I’ve ever had. She knew much about Birmingham’s history and made the most minor details meaningful….
Happy Birthday Buddah!
Today, we started the day with a lovely walk through Hnabok Village. Although it was a quick stroll, the scenery was beautiful, and I really appreciated the architecture of the traditional buildings. The rooftops featured unique paneling and curved ends that made them stand out. What was especially interesting was that people still live in…
Rooting For The Future!
Today was our last day in Monteverde:((((( This morning we visited our last coffee tour, Life Monteverde. This coffee farm and sustainability center is tucked away in the lush hills of Monteverde. However, this was not just a tour; we actually got hands-on experience! We helped plant corn by spreading the compost, raking the dirt,…