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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
I have always had a fascination for stars. My dad, the very person who brought me into the early business of watching stars, owns a small telescope that he uses weekly till this day. Living in a compound full of apartments and not many gardens, my......Read More
The first thing we noticed was the animals. So many animals. Dogs, goats, cows, bulls, water buffaloes, and even a camel. Each had its own air of individuality as it loitered in the alleys and streets of Udaipur, head raised as if it knew it......Read More
It’s 7:56 A.M. and breakfast starts at 8:00 A.M. Us guys hardly ever wake up on time, but the sudden knock and good-mornings on our doors are usually enough to get us going. As I rush to get dressed for the day I give a short moment to......Read More
As I write this Yak post, my right hand is burning. No, not metaphorically— I mean my hand feels like it’s being cooked inside with a steady flame. It seems that grabbing large scoops of spicy peppers, known in Indonesia as sambal, with your......Read More
