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Tag: Greenheart Travel Scholarship Winner

Know Before You Go: Packing Tips and French Phrases for a Successful Program in Quebec City
I am finished with the French language camp program in Quebec City! It has been a great and truly memorable two weeks for me living with a host family and going around Quebec City with the school. For future students who want to attend the program, I would highly recommend to make sure that they go in with an open mindset, because there is a large cultural difference even between cities. I came into the program thinking that it was just like the United States and that homesickness would be something that I would never experience.

However, that was not the case at all. Before your trip, I would highly advise you to look into the resources that are provided by Greenheart Travel, because it was very insightful and prepared me even through my doubts.

Rachel enjoys whale watching, one of the many activities outside of the French language class in Canada.

Packing for Quebec

For packing, I would recommend bringing:
- At least a change of clothes for different activities that last at least a week.
- There were many water activities that I participated in, so a swimsuit is a necessity to bring!
- I brought 3 pairs of shoes on my trip for the beach, water sports and walking in the city.
- A rain jacket that was often put to good use.
- Variety of clothes for the large differences in the weather in Quebec City– shorts, nice shirts, pants, etc.
- Host family gift.
Coming from Texas, I am used to very hot summers–wearing only shorts and a t-shirt. However, Quebec City was a lot cooler for me, and I am glad that I decided to check the weather before packing. The weather here is very off and on with the sun and the rain, so I brought a light rain jacket with me everywhere in my backpack.

Having clothes for sporting activities is important during the language camp in Canada.

It’s important to leave extra clothes at home as well and only bring what you need. It’s for a short time, and Canada has many great and cheap stores to buy clothes. I definitely had fun shopping in Canada because the exchange rate is great for Americans!

Bringing a little bit of everything is very important so that you will always have something to wear for each day and activity. Packing comfortable sneakers and shoes that can get wet (my Chacos) was very important. This came in handy so that I had sneakers when we went rock climbing, and I had chacos when I went to the beach so that I didn’t get sand in my sneakers.

Rachel enjoys sampling fresh maple syrup in Quebec.

Aside from clothes, bringing a gift for your host family is also very important in showing true appreciation. I am glad that I was able to bring my family some gifts, because they really took good care of me.

French Phrases to Practice Before You Arrive

Some French phrases that I learned included Quebecois phrases and differences between French in France and French in Quebec.

In Quebec, they say:
- “dejeuner” for breakfast
- “diner” for lunch
- “souper” for dinner
In France, they say:
- “petit-dejeuner” for breakfast
- “dejeuner” for lunch
- “diner” for dinner
This was super confusing to me until I finally figured out the difference.

Quebecois slang for a kiss on the cheek is “un bec”, girlfriend is “ma blonde”, and boyfriend is “mon chomp”. These slang terms are so much fun to learn and try to use in a sentence when communicating with others.

Before you go on the trip, make sure to know French basics–even if you’re a beginner. “Bonne jouree” means have a good day and “bonne soiree” means to have a good night. “Salut” means hello and goodbye. “Merci” means thank you. Knowing these key basic terms help show appreciation and effort in learning the language around you.

At first, it was hard for me to get used to the Quebecois accent, because it sounds a lot more “er” than the French that I learned at school. However, with practice and conversation, I was able to understand it a lot better and have greater appreciation for it over time. I really did learn a lot from this camp, and I hope that you do too!
July 19, 2017
A Glance at a Day in My Life as a Spanish Language Camp Student
Everyone was right; my first two weeks at my language camp here in Salamanca, Spain have truly flown by. Every day is full of new experiences and (while it may sound a little lame) lots of learning! In the beginning, my schedule was a little sporadic but it has since fallen into more of a rhythm. So without further adieu, here is “más or menos” (more or less) what a typical day in the life of a student in Salamanca, Spain is like:

Wake up: 10am – 10:30am

Since I’ve been here I’ve been blessed with afternoon classes. So that means I have a little more time to sleep in the morning. However, many of my friends have morning classes (9am) and haven’t had much trouble adjusting to them.

Breakfast: 11am

When my roommate and I wake up we usually hear our host mom, Juany, making us some food. In Spain, breakfast isn’t very big, so our typical dish has been, toast, an egg, and some hot chocolate. She then sends us on our way with a sack lunch ( A sandwich, fruit, and water.)

Meet with friends and finish homework: 11:30am – 12pm

After breakfast, we meet up with some friends, and finish our homework (very minimal) from the day before in one of Salamanca’s many cafés.

School 2pm – 3:30pm

My first class of the day is with a really nice teacher, (they’re all super nice) named Joaquin. We do a few lessons in our workbooks and always share out loud. Sometimes it’s a little scary, but they’re there to help you learn and get better.

Break 3:30pm – 4pm

This break is between our two classes and is a really nice time to get a coffee or eat a little snack from one of the plentiful vending machines. Explore new snacks!

School 4pm – 5:30pm

This is my second class and it’s with a teacher named Ivan. He’s a really nice teacher, too. What I like about the teachers at language camp is that they are always quick to learn your name and are comfortable joking around with you.

Activity 5:30pm – 7pm

Ivan and Joaquin usually run these and most of the time make them pretty fun. So far we have done:
- A brief tour of Salamanca
- Sports (little outdoor games in teams, soccer balls, etc.)
- Dancing (personally I’m not a huge fan of dancing but it was a good experience I suppose)
- Eating and learning about authentic food of Spain
Activity is a good time to meet more people in the program, especially if they’re in different classes than you!

Free time 7pm – dinner time (for me it’s 9pm)

During this time I usually hang out with friends in the plaza, a café, our favorite garden, or go shopping. There’s a lot to do in this time since this is when most people seem to be around town. This is also a great time to explore!

Dinner 9pm – 10pm

For me, dinner is at 9pm, but it just depends on your host family. Our host mom, Juany, always makes really delicious food and always gives us more than we can eat! My favorite dish she makes is spaghetti noodles in an alfredo sauce with bits of “jamón” or ham (famous in Salamanca).

Nightlife in Salamanca 10:30 – 1am (ish)

Salamanca is gorgeous all the time but when they turn on the lights in the Plaza Mayor, it isn’t unusual for you to hear clapping. Night time is a great time for ice cream with friends, looking at the sights in a different light, or just people watching.

My tips for future students studying abroad with a host family:
- Be courteous
-Remember to keep your room clean, come home on curfew, and make sure that when they’re showing you how to use their weird spanish door, you pay attention so you won’t have to wake them up to let you in at 1am.
- Getting lost is sometimes a good thing
-My first night here, our house moms brought us to the Plaza Mayor and showed us where the school was. After, they told us it didn’t matter what time we came home. All of us were having fun and exploring until we realized we had no idea how to get home. We walked in a huge circle and eventually found our way. But I’m glad for that walk, as it was full of laughs and excitement for living in our new city.

Emmy enjoying the sites in Salamanca.
- Try new things
The first few days are going to be full of a lot of “firsts”. While that can be overwhelming sometimes, I promise you will eventually adjust. These firsts don’t have to be something very thrilling either. It could simply be, your first time sitting in a ~Spanish~ park. Or just adventuring into a new fruit market.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments or if you want, you can add me on snapchat to follow the daily adventures! Snapchat: emmyscott123

Happy adventuring! 💚

About the Author:

Emmy Scott is 17 years old, from Sparta, Michigan and our 2017 Greenheart Travel Correspondent scholarship winner. Traveling to our language camp in Salamanca, she is “over the moon excited to travel to Spain because it will have lifelong effects on how I look at the big world around me.” Follow her adventures here!
July 13, 2017
Life as a Student in Paris: Everything I Dreamed of Yet Nothing I Could’ve Anticipated

My day as a student in Paris typically consists of taking language class in the morning, thinking about how to order gelato in French in the afternoon, and sleeping very well at night. The beauty of this Teen Summer Language Camp in France is that, while we have a scheduled plan for our trip, a typical day truly does not exist.

French desserts to enjoy in Paris.

Angelique at the Louvre, Paris.

A New Adventure Every Day

From the Louvre to the Champs Elyseés to the Arc de Triomphe, I can look forward to taking the metro to a new adventure every day. Life as a student in Paris is everything I had dreamed of yet nothing I could’ve anticipated. The ability to experience the culture of France is thrilling, educational, beautiful, and even a bit overwhelming at moments.

French school books used for class.

Classes take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekdays. The group next hops on the metro, follows through with the excursion on the itinerary, has a couple hours to explore during free time, and then we go home and have dinner with our host family.

I have also had the chance to roam my neighborhood after dinner in Bondoufle, France, and meet kids and teenagers who reside here. This is fun and beneficial, as it has helped me to better understand the community.

Kids of Bondoufle and Chynna, Paris.

An Overview of French Class

In class, we are separated into groups of beginning, intermediate, and advanced language proficiency. However, we all remain in the same classroom so there doesn’t feel like a divide between levels, and we are able to interact with each other consistently.

We go through lessons by using workbooks, speaking out loud, and conversing with each other. It is a great start to the day, and helps us to communicate in Paris and with our host family, which isn’t as terrifying as one may believe.

French architecture in Paris.

My Travel Advice for France

Staying with a host family can sometimes be a bit daunting at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Take everything lightly and laugh a lot. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need something.

Studying basic French phrases before arriving is very helpful; however, do not stress out about being perfect. It’s okay if your pronunciation isn’t spot on or if you miss a verb tense. Locals are most likely worried about connecting with you, just as you are with them.

A view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Go with the flow and enjoy every moment. And pinch yourself because you’re in Paris! At least that’s what I do whenever the Eiffel Tower is in sight! Try all the food your host family makes, hang out with all the Greenheart Travel students, and mess up while ordering food. Lastly, make every day in France pure magic, although one doesn’t have to try too hard.

Angelique with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

About the Author:

Angelique Ayoade is 17-years-old, from Asheville, North Carolina and is a Greenheart Travel Global Explorer Scholarship winner for our Teen Summer Language Camp in France! Angelique believes “interacting with people of a different culture and learning is a step towards raising up unity, empathy and love for people globally.” Follow her adventures here!

Do you daydream of having the Eiffel Tower in sight while conversing in French with locals?

July 12, 2017
My First Week in Quebec City: Immersed in the French Language and Daily Cultural Outings

Bonjour! I have been studying French in Quebec City for a week now, and it has so far been quite an experience. Coming as a Texan, I had no idea what to expect—the culture, the food, the weather, and the people here are so different from that at home. In my program at school, I am probably the oldest person as an 18-year-old, but it has been alright because most of the other students are in high school.

A public bus in Quebec City, Canada.

My Typical Day in Quebec City

My typical day begins with me waking up around 5:30 am (the sunrise in Quebec is very early—almost at 4:30 am). I greet my host mom and go on a short run if the weather permits before eating breakfast. For breakfast, my host mom usually makes crepes or muffins, or I find something to eat in the pantry. After breakfast, I pack my lunch and go to the bus stop to go to school. I ride on the bus with my host mom everyday because her workplace is nearby.

In Quebec, the bus system is very good and a lot of people take the bus for its efficiency. After about an hour, I arrive at the bus stop near my school, and walk to the campus before classes begin at 8:30 am.

French writing on a whiteboard in a French class in Quebec City.

French Classes

We are placed in our classes by our knowledge of French, and there are numerous classes for students of different levels. The other students at the school are from around the USA and other parts of the world. Many are from the Northeastern portion of the States, and there is a large population from Mexico and other countries in Latin America. There are also a few students from Canada and Kenya who attend the camp.

When class begins, the teacher takes attendance. There is a French speaking only rule, so we are supposed to only talk in French to each other during class and lunchtime.

In French class, we learn about different tenses of verbs and also expressions in Quebecois. We frequently do group activities on worksheets, and we all have a break around 10 am before continuing the rest of the class.

Traditional poutine in Quebec City.

11:45 am to 12:30 pm is our lunchtime. As a homestay student, I eat outside in the front lawn with other students. We are only allowed and highly encouraged to speak French during lunch with everyone around us. If we speak well in French, we will receive a raffle ticket for the end of the week. If we speak in English and are caught, we will receive a “carton rouge” or a red card as a warning infraction. If a student collects more than a certain number of red cards, he or she might be expelled from the program.

Attending a baseball game in Quebec City.

Daily Outings

After lunch, we go on our daily outing. It is different everyday, and each day has new and interesting surprises. I have visited the citadel, the beach, the mall, a baseball game, and the movies. On Saturdays, we take longer outings and I have seen the waterfall and rock climbed.

Rock climbing during a day excursion in Quebec.

After we come back from our daily outing, I take the bus home with my host mom or I go out with my friends. This week and the next, there is a large summer festival in Quebec called “Festival d’Ete”. There are many world famous musical artists that come and perform. So far I have seen Kendrick Lamar and P!nk perform at the concert with my new friends.

My friends and I at the concert.

A beach in Quebec, Canada.

My Suggestions for Staying with a Host Family

My suggestion for future students staying with a host family is to try to have conversations with them while you can in the language that you are learning. They are willing to help you improve in that language, and they truly want you to get better and improve. Good communication is also important, because it’s necessary to keep them updated while they are currently in charge of taking care of you. Try to do favors, but also don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Rachel and a friend in Quebec City.

About the Author:

Ruiwen (Rachel) Shen, is 18 years old and our 2017 Greenheart Travel Correspondent scholarship winner from Houston, Texas. Rachel is traveling abroad as a Teen Summer Language Camp student in Quebec, and one of her goals during her travels is to connect with new people and build new relationships even in a new language and culture. Follow her adventures here!

Can you imagine what your typical day in Quebec City might look like?

July 11, 2017
Life as a Volunteer in Hua Hin, Thailand: A Look at a Typical Day at the Stray Dog Rescue Project
This past week, I finished up my second week of volunteering in Thailand. Two weeks down, six more to go… And I can’t help but think how happy I am to be able to continue my work here and adding to the impact Greenheart Travel volunteers have been making in Thailand.

A Big Rescue at Rescue Paws

I have always believed that animals are people too, and they should be cared for just as much as we care for ourselves. The work that I am doing at the Rescue Paws volunteer project embodies that. The dogs at the shelter have all been found around the Khao Tao and Hua Hin areas, and all have been found in less than optimal condition.

One of the biggest rescue stories happened on my first day here, as we rescued a wounded mother dog and her five brand-new puppies. The Rescue Paws team had been trying to catch the mother for three years! She is just skin and bones, and her puppies were all covered in lice. Without our help, none of them would have survived much longer.

Some of the dogs at the clinic in Thailand.

A Normal Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Thailand

Other than rescues like that, our normal day consists of cleaning the clinic and the kennels, feeding and walking the dogs, and any other little odd-jobs around the office.

Our day starts at 8am (Monday through Friday), when we leave the volunteer house with Hanli, Rescue Paws’ Operations Manager, who drives us to work. If she is ever unable to drive us, we walk to work, which takes about 15 minutes and is beautiful the whole way. At the clinic, our main priority is to clean the floors, which the dogs “go” on during the night. After that, we give the dogs their medications and food, which is specific to each dog.

At first, all of this information was very overwhelming — how was I supposed to remember all these dogs? How am I supposed to know what to do when everyone is just jumping in and doing it? But luckily, all the other volunteers were wonderful and helped me to get acclimated. By the third day, it was like I had been there for years!

Emily Evans holding a kitten at a market in Thailand.

Play Time for the Animals

After we are done taking care of the clinic dogs (and occasionally cats!), we head over to the kennels, which are also located on temple grounds. It’s about a five-minute walk. At the kennels, we start by splitting up into two groups: one group takes the dogs for a walk on the beach, while the other group stays and cleans the kennels.

While the dogs are out of the kennels, we power-wash and mop them down with diluted bleach water. Once the kennels are clean and the first round of dogs comes back, we all take the remaining dogs to the beach, where we let them off-leash. Watching them run around and play with each other is definitely my favorite part of the day. I also really enjoy cleaning the cat house that we have up at the clinic because I get to play with the kittens while I do it. Right now we have three little kitties!

After the walks, we head back to the clinic and break for lunch. We usually choose between three different restaurants that are around the clinic area and they all have DELICIOUS food! My favorite is called Loft Indy Kitchen, which has great food for very reasonable prices.

Walking dogs around the temple grounds, Thailand.

Afternoon Assignments

After lunch, we head back to the clinic, stopping at a small coffee stand along the way for a little pick-me-up. Back at the clinic, we usually are assigned something to do, which varies depending on the day — there are usually three or four different things that might come up:
- One is to clean up in/around the clinic area to make it look as nice as possible and to improve functionality.
- Another is to give tours to visitors and help them to walk some dogs on the beach (which usually happens on Thursdays).
- And a third is to go around to different towns and administer parasite treatments to the stray dogs in the area.
Every Wednesday, we split up into two groups, with one group going to Hua Hin Dog Shelter to help their staff administer medications and give medicated baths, and with one group staying at the clinic to set up an adoption table. Every Wednesday there is a market in front of Rescue Paws with local vendors and we always have a little booth set up to try and get people to adopt! Being at the market on Wednesdays is my favorite part of the week.

The beach where the dogs are walked.

Closing Time

After the afternoon activity, whatever it may be, we begin our daily closing-up tasks. We feed and administer meds to the dogs at the clinic, then go down to the kennels for the same thing. We clean up any messes that might need our attention before we go home for the night.

Back at the volunteer house, we are basically free to do whatever our hearts desire for the evening. I love to go straight to the beach when we get back, which is just a short five-minute walk down the road. Most of the time, there is no one even there so it’s like my own private paradise! For dinner, we all go to Mama’s, which is the only restaurant on our road. The owner is the nicest woman ever, and I am pretty sure we are some of her only customers… But, her food is to die for!

A volunteer in Thailand washing a dog.

My Advice for Future Volunteers

So far, my life as a volunteer in Thailand has completely exceeded my expectations. I have fallen in love with the Rescue Paws team and with the town of Khao Tao. I’m only two weeks in and I have seen more of Thailand from a residential perspective than most foreigners see in their lifetime.

To all of you future volunteers out there, be open to the experience! You might be scared and confused at first, unsure of what to do and where to go, but don’t worry. In time, you will find your place and it will be amazing. You will learn so much from this experience as long as you are willing to do anything that is asked of you. Don’t turn down opportunities because you think they won’t be up your alley. You never know what surprises might come your way.

Be sure to bring clothes that are both appropriate to work in AND appropriate for temple grounds (shoulders covered and knee-length shorts). I made the mistake of bringing tanks with me, so I have to cover up whenever I walk to and from the kennels. But, if you stick to that, and smile a lot at the monks and the locals, your time here will be extraordinary!

About the Author:

Emily Evans is 20-years-old, from Waimea, Kaua’i, Hawai’i, and is a Greenheart Travel Correspondent for our volunteer in Thailand program! One of the many things Emily looks forward to during her program is experiencing the Thai culture through the food and the Buddhist temples and walking the rescue dogs on the beach. Follow her adventures here!

Learn more about how you can make an impact in the lives of stray animals in Thailand AND get to play with puppies and kitties!
July 10, 2017
Student Spotlight on Bethany Carideo; Greenheart Travel’s Newest Travel Correspondent in Italy

Greenheart Travel is excited to send a group of amazing travelers to study and volunteer abroad as part of our 2017 Travel Correspondent and Global Explorer Scholarship awards. To help introduce our inspiring writers, we are doing a series of spotlight interviews to help you get to know a little more about who they are, where they will be headed and what inspired them to travel abroad.

Read on to meet 16-year-old, Bethany Carideo, our Greenheart Travel Correspondent from Athens, Tennessee, who’ll be traveling abroad as a high school student in Italy!

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

Run! It is the best relaxer. I love spending quality time with friends and family. Hiking, movies, concerts, and ultimate frisbee are my top picks.

Have you traveled abroad before?

Yes! I’ve been blessed to venture around Europe through mission work and a heck of a lot of fundraising. My first trip abroad was to Italy in 2008, with my family. Since then, I have been back 6 times (I think). A few times for family, and then a few for mission trips.

Speaking of mission trips, I’ve traveled to Honduras twice! In 2013, my parents and I hiked the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In 2015, my mom and I did a work away program (google it- best thing ever!) to Sweden, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

My family, my best friend, and I hiked the Ring of Kerry of Ireland in 2016. Can you tell I love Europe?? A few others include: England, France, Germany, Russia, and Norway. I am forever grateful for my experiences!

What got you interested in learning a new language and studying abroad?

My previous travels have inspired me to study abroad. None of it could have been made possible without my parents… they deserve the credit. Mission work has caused me to fall in love with people. I have fallen in love with new places and opportunities. Another huge inspiration is my foreign exchange student, Mara. We hosted our German gymnast in the 2014-15 school year.

What are you most excited about experiencing or seeing during your high school abroad program?

I am so pumped to meet the people. I want to experience the different lifestyle, traditions, FOOD! I am most excited about living with my host family!

Why do you feel it’s important to travel to a new place and experience a different culture?

I think that traveling and experiencing new cultures has formed who I am. It has forced me to adapt and learn in amazing ways. I have learned things about myself and others, and that has humbled me. Thanks to this, getting out of my comfort zone is my favorite thing to do. What more could I ask for?

What are you nervous about?

I am definitely nervous about the language barrier. I know that school will also be a bit harder than at home, but I’m excited for the challenge. Nerves are a good thing… right?!

How have you prepared for your time living and studying abroad?

I have been studying Italian! I have also read many travel blogs that talk about Italian culture. I enjoy reading study abroad blogs the most. But most importantly, I have decided to put my stress and nerves behind me. I am focused on making the most of my time at home before I start my adventure!

How do you think you will change the most during your time abroad?

After living in a different culture and environment, I think that my perspective will change the most. I will hopefully become more patient (not my strong suit as an only child) as well.

July 7, 2017
A Typical Day Living with a Host Family and Volunteering at the Animal Rescue Center in Costa Rica
I am finally here in the greenest place in the world, Costa Rica! I’m a week into my volunteer program at the Animal Rescue Center and I have already gained many things.

I have gained knowledge of the animals I have worked with and their stories of why they are at the Animal Rescue project. What foods are appropriate for the different animals and why.

Costa Rica’s beautiful environment.

I have also gained weight, because there is no way you can say no to the delicious Costa Rican food. But you need to remember if you don’t like the food, or you think eating rice and bread is too much, you have to tell your host family. Trust me when I say that it will be easier for you and your host mom when you are honest from the start on the foods you eat and don’t eat, also on the amount you eat. Portions are very different in Costa Rica, and if you eat more or less than the amount they give you, make sure to let them know how much you eat.

My host mom is Vita and my host dad is Walter, both work in Proyecto Asis. They have a son Alex who is currently on winter break which took me a while to understand since our summer is their winter.

What to Expect in a Typical Day as a Volunteer in Costa Rica

My typical day as a volunteer involves waking up at 7:30 a.m., eating breakfast and changing to my work clothes. Between 8:05 – 8:15 a.m. I wait until the van to pick me up from Vita’s house. Once everyone is picked up they take us to the volunteer project where you will be given a job.

A few of the jobs I have done so far:
- Cleaned cages for rehabilitation areas
- Painted fences that will become new cages
- Fed the animals
- Made new toys for the animals which can involve cutting down a tree to make something
- Paint tires for the monkeys
- Use power tools to drill holes
We then have a coffee break at 11 a.m., eat lunch at 12 p.m., and the work day will end at 3:45 p.m. You will then be able to hang out with your friends at the park or nap.

Advice for Getting to Know Your Host Family

The first few days I napped because working in Proyecto Asis is a bit tiring, but when you’re tired and want to nap just let your host mom know “me voy a dormir un rato” (I’m going to sleep for a bit). Try to engage with your host family too, when you’re eating make some small conversation just like you would with your real family.

My host family home in Costa Rica.

Don’t stay in your room all day on your phone, ask your host family if they could take you on a walk, see the trees and animals all around you. But if you want to stay in your room, which is okay after a hard day at Proyecto Asis just let your host mom know you need some time alone and give her the reason why.

Make sure to spend some time outside of your bedroom during your volunteer project.

Now, if you leave to hang out with your friends always let your host mom know where you’re going and what time you’ll be coming back. Just in case of any emergency, exchange numbers to make it easier to contact each other.

Remember to smile too! Give small compliments about their house or their food, really engage yourself with their family.

For my first weekend I wanted to do some shopping and went to La Fortuna with a friend (always have someone with you) and bought some stuff for my family and friends. I saw an entirely different culture and it was amazing.

To see Costa Rica’s city life was amazing and overwhelming. Be prepared to see a beautiful corner of the world!

About the Author:

Citlalli Gonzalez, is 16-years old and our 2017 Greenheart Travel Global Explorer scholarship winner from Chicago, Illinois. Citlalli is traveling abroad as a volunteer in Costa Rica and is most excited about being able to stand in one of the greenest place on earth, being able to get out of her comfort zone, and experience a new culture. Follow her adventures here!
July 6, 2017
Student Spotlight on Martin Tomlinson; Greenheart’s Newest Travel Correspondent in Spain

Greenheart Travel is excited to send a group of amazing travelers to study and volunteer abroad as part of our 2017 Travel Correspondent and Global Explorer Scholarship awards. To help introduce our inspiring writers, we are doing a series of spotlight interviews to help you get to know a little more about who they are, where they will be headed and what inspired them to travel abroad.

Read on to meet 16-year-old, Martin Tomlinson, our Greenheart Travel Global Explorer Scholarship winner from Overland Park, Kansas, who’ll be studying abroad this fall in Spain!

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

My favorite thing to do in my free time is to take photographs. I am very passionate about photography because it allows me to materialize the world around me. I also enjoy playing the guitar, hiking, cycling reading and exploring the outdoors.

Have you traveled abroad before?

I spent one month on scholarship in Seville, Spain on a language and culture program. Also, my community service project was a finalist for AFS Project Change. I was awarded a scholarship to do a community service project in India. I spent two weeks in New Delhi learning about working with students and learning about the Indian culture.

What got you interested in learning a new language and studying abroad?

There have been many times with my community service that speaking Spanish would have been helpful. The two weeks I spent on the Arizona and Mexico border working on immigrant issues made me realize just how important it was to learn Spanish.

I had an inspiring teacher at Conserve School that made Spanish come alive and showed me the true beauty of the language. She made me feel becoming fluent was a real possibility. I am now working on becoming fluent so I can return to the border and really make an impact. I believe studying abroad and immersion in the Spanish culture will be the most enjoyable and fastest way of learning the language well.

What are you most excited about experiencing or seeing during your high school abroad program?

I am very excited about experiencing high school life and living with a homestay family because I will be able to make real connections with the Spanish people. I am also excited about the little things and the unexpected things that will come up. The spontaneous moments tend to be the best parts of a trip.

Why do you feel it’s important to travel to a new place and experience a different culture?

World travel is important to create understanding between different cultures. Going to new places reinforces the idea that we are all the same. It is important to be a global citizen. Experiencing a different culture not only helps me understand it, but also helps me examine my culture and examine my views in deeper and more meaningful way. I want to become the most understanding person that I can possibly be.

What are you nervous about?

I am nervous about being able to effectively communicate in Spanish. Doing the same work as the Spanish students will be very challenging. I am also concerned that I won’t be to accurately represent my personality in a second language. I like to use humor a lot and I think that could be difficult. I don’t want to accidentally offend anyone.

How have you prepared for your time living and studying abroad?

I have taken Spanish classes and this summer I am studying on my own to prepare for my trip. I am also trying to expose myself to as much of the Spanish culture as I can through movies, art, literature and music. My dad is a librarian so it is only natural that the first place I looked was the local library. I have checked out just about every book I could find about Spain.

How do you think you will change the most during your time abroad?

I think I will become a more confident, independent and flexible person and traveler with a better understanding of my identity. Also, I think I will be much closer fluency in Spanish.

July 5, 2017
Student Spotlight on Emmy Scott: Greenheart’s Newest Travel Correspondent in Spain

Greenheart Travel is excited to send a group of amazing travelers to study and volunteer abroad as part of our 2017 Travel Correspondent and Global Explorer Scholarship awards. To help introduce our inspiring writers, we are doing a series of spotlight interviews to help you get to know a little more about who they are, where they will be headed and what inspired them to travel abroad.

Read on to meet 17-year-old, Emmy Scott, our Greenheart Travel Correspondent from Sparta, Michigan, who’ll be traveling abroad to study Spanish at our Teen Summer Language Camp in Spain!

What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?

Petting dogs and enjoying nature from the comfort of my hammock.

I’m also a huge theatre nerd. I’ve been in 16 productions and have been blessed with so many great friendships from it. You can catch me singing show tunes basically all day long.

Another thing that really interests me is music. I’m in our school band (no that’s not a lame as it sounds) and am the section leader for the Front Ensemble. I play the Marimba, which is pretty much this huge wooden xylophone.

Have you traveled abroad before?

I’ve traveled to Canada a few times and went on a cruise when I was younger but I don’t remember too much.

What got you interested in learning a new language and traveling abroad?

My Spanish classes in middle and high school definitely sparked an interest in not only Hispanic culture, but many others as well. I don’t think I’d be going where I’m going if it wasn’t for them.

What are you most excited about experiencing or seeing during your language camp?

Honestly, I’m super excited to dig into some authentic food! I’m really looking forward to the different architecture and traditions as well.

Why do you feel it’s important to travel to a new place and learn a new language?

I feel it’s important to travel and learn new languages because it opens your eyes to different traditions, food, and experiences that you otherwise wouldn’t have. It also expands your social circle; imagine being able to talk to entirely new group of people!

What are you nervous about?

I’m a little nervous about the Spanish custom of “dos besos.” I don’t usually get that close to people’s faces! However, I’m sure I’ll become used to it as my time progresses in Spain.

How well do you speak a second language at this point?

I feel that I am at a higher intermediate level of Spanish understanding. I am mostly confident in reading and writing, okay at listening, but I get a bit nervous when I need to put together sentences that are more complex.

How do you think you will change the most during your time abroad?

I think I will become a much more independent person who will continue to grow in my sense of self and have an even stronger appreciation for Spanish people and their culture.

June 27, 2017
Mixed Emotions Returning Home from Studying Abroad in Ireland

Returning home from studying abroad in Ireland involved a lot of emotions. On one hand, I was thrilled to be going back to see my family and my friends, to be back in my house, and all that sort of stuff. On the other, I was leaving some amazing people and a place I had grown to love.

The night before I left my friends in Ireland I had a bonfire. Saying goodbye to them was rough. Unlike saying goodbye to my friends in Indiana, I don’t know when I will see them again. I usually take a long time to make really good friends, but somehow I was able to make great friends in a very short time-span.

The next morning I said farewell to my host parents, which was very sad. But, they gave me a key and made me promise to return! So, that helped. I also have a strong dislike of airplanes and airports, so that also meant I was nervous for a good part of the day. And then, of course, I finally saw my family in person for the first time in nine months! All in all, an emotional day.

Kayla with her Irish host parents.

Forever Changed

Now that I’m back, everything feels slightly different. You miss a lot in nine months. For starters, all of my siblings are a lot taller now! And they have all grown and changed in other, more subtle ways as well.

Studying abroad has undoubtedly changed me. The experience has taught me to be more relaxed, to look at the big picture instead of the tiny problems, to celebrate small victories.

I feel more confident, more secure in myself, and I have more self-esteem. I don’t know what I want to do in life, but studying abroad showed me that I want to see the world, meet new people, and experience other cultures. I know I want to study abroad again in college, and this experience has given me the courage to maybe go to a country where English isn’t widely spoken.

Long story short, after an experience like this one, I’m pretty sure my life will never be the same again.

Kayla with her family at the airport.

What’s Next?

So what now? Well, I have one more year of high school left, and I’m excited to see what I make of it. I graduate next spring, and go to college next fall. Reverse culture shock has not really affected me yet, beside things like forgetting how to work the shower here and where we keep the plates. But, I imagine that once I start school again it’ll hit me.

As I mentioned earlier, I now know that I really want a career that allows me to live around the world. This has helped me narrow down my college search and explore new possible majors. Likewise, I will also make sure the colleges I apply to offer affordable study abroad programs.

Kayla on a hike while studying in Ireland.

A Newfound Confidence

Right before I left for Ireland, I had an online orientation with a few other American students and a program manager from Greenheart Travel. One of things we did was read aloud different pieces of advice from former study abroad students.

My favorite was something along the lines of, “Say ‘yes’… Say ‘yes’ to everything”.

This is the phrase I constantly reminded myself of while studying abroad, and it allowed me to find the courage to do new things and explore new opportunities. Doing those things has allowed me to build my confidence.

Now, thanks to this newfound confidence, I find myself able to say ‘yes’ to anything! Applying to jobs I wouldn’t have considered previously, finding opportunities to shadow careers I never thought about, trying new things I would have bypassed earlier, and so on and so forth.

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.

Are you ready to say YES to studying abroad!?

June 26, 2017