Welcome to our forum for courses in the field. The Yak Board is a digital group journal where students and staff share photos, stories, reflections and group updates while on course. Check out our Featured Posts below or explore Yaks by program by clicking on the icons above.
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Yesterday afternoon, I went for a walk and found myself at a breathtaking hilltop garden overlooking the city of Panauti. A shady spot surrounded by bright orange flowers was begging me to sit, so I stopped at the patch of grass to journal. As I......Read More
I am truly in love with Peru. As much as I miss the comforts of having parents to come home to that understand without me having to explain, being able to take a car to the grocery store, coming home to my own bed at night, and getting to see my......Read More
Hello all! If you have been keeping up with the Yak board, I’m sure some of you will recognize my name and remember my aforementioned foot injury. An awkward landing on my right foot after coming down some stairs led me to the Azrou clinic, where......Read More
Wikipedia describes thukpa as a type of Tibetan noodle soup, or rather a “generic Tibetan word for any soup or stew combined with noodles.” I am unsure as to the specifics of the egg thukpa served at the Thrangu Cafe at the Thrangu Tashi......Read More
Carolina/Isa/Faith Yak (Carolina) My first homestay mother was called Zhouma. When she first welcomed us into her home she seemed beautiful in a quiet, unobtrusive type of way. It wasn’t until the next morning, when she dragged us out of bed......Read More
After leaving Bangdong village and transitioning into urban life in Kunming, Bridge Year China participants reflected on their two-week rural homestay experience through writing prompts. We shared these reflections gallery-style upon arrival in......Read More
On Wednesday night this last week, I tagged along with my homestay brother to the Patan Durbar square to meet some friends and celebrate the Dashain times, for many a religious holiday steeped in tradition and meaning, for my homestay brother who......Read More
Network has been sparse on the group’s trekking trail in the Rolwaling Valley, but they have been in touch with us when possible and they report that the group is safe and healthy, and students are in great spirits. It sounds like their trek has been adventuresome thus far, with some rain and overgrown trails that have made for more challenging walking, but they are doing great nonetheless.
Here are some photos from the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development Knowledge Park! It was so nice to get outdoors and learn about sustainable rural development!
October has come and we have finished our stay in China. Over the past week we have spent time in major cities and on majorly long bus rides. We have become more vulnerable with one another, felt more comfortable exploring areas we do not know, and......Read More
Sketches from weeks 1 & 2 By: Michelle Unable to find the charger for my camera the night before departure for Morocco, it was decided that I should just leave the trusty device at home. I owe many thanks to this mishap because I’ve since......Read More
I bow my head. to your spirit of learning to the burning light of adventure to the humble beginnings of new friendships to the starry eyes of newness. to those moments of sheer joy to the discomfort of uncertainty to those magical bursts in your......Read More
27 September 2019 I still recall the first time I stayed in the home of someone I didn’t know, in a country I was unfamiliar with, communicating in a language that I didn’t understand. Growing up, I was taught to not trust others for fear that......Read More
I stood in the freezing cold, as the grass rustled tentatively beneath my feet. It’s 11pm, and I peered up into the night sky, expecting darkness. Instead, I was greeted by the stars, glistening in their brilliance and filling up the atmosphere.......Read More
Last week, on the final leg of our travel period before Patan, we had the amazing opportunity to go to Pharping for a few days. Pictured here is the view from the monastery we stayed at, as well as some photos from our beautiful day hike. One of my favorite moments in Pharping was on the first night, when we did a little scavenger hunt throughout the town to ask locals some questions and to buy a few items. At the very end of our scavenger hunt, we had one question remaining, one that was difficult to ask without knowing… Read More
A trek can be so much more than walking from point A to point B looking at beautiful sights along the way. Our group spent the last three days intentionally and humbly walking on sacred ground, forging a deeper connection with the spirit of the......Read More
