Alex

This was my first time doing a teen program and one of my big concerns was the other kids I’d be spending my summer with. It was so awesomely surprising to come in and meet all these like-minded young people with whom I’d get to share these incredible experiences. I made some lifelong friends (not exaggerating). And the trip leaders, they were the best. Everyone on the program was so open on so many levels. Of course we learned a lot about sustainability, but we learned so much about ourselves through each other. I left this program knowing a lot more about how I want to spend my life, in terms of my goals and who I want to surround myself with. And on top of that, I got a lot of guidance and tools to accomplish those goals. I came into the program with plans for my future that were already pretty in line with the setup of the course itself. I really want to work as an intermediary between the US and Latin America in sustainable development and management of natural resources (that’s super general, I know). Getting the formal instruction, as well as the hands-on experience in this program gave me the assurance I was looking for – that this is what I want to do. It helped me figure out what I was interested in and what I was not. Being immersed in the Latinamerican organic farming scene and meeting so many practicing farmers gave me some firsthand experience on what a future in that field might be like and what the problems are that they (and the world) face. Also, the insight of the trip leaders was INVALUABLE. So many great people, I can’t express how much this summer has impacted me. And considering I’m making some big decisions soon about college and all that, it came at the perfect time.