welcome!
Carpe Mundi is a non-profit organization that supports college students from low-income backgrounds, from Portland, OR with a year-long mentorship program that includes a scholarship for an experiential education study abroad semester. Our mission is to empower these students to reach their full potential through international learning experiences and mentorship.
A Year of mentorship…
3 Phases of transformation:
Phase 1: August through January
Preparation and Scholarships
Learn about travel logistics, deepen your understanding of the country you are going to, get to know your cohort members, and apply for scholarships to cover your expenses.
Phase 2: February through April
International Travel
Practice experiential education: live with locals, learn another language, volunteer with communities, develop leadership skills, and discover more about yourself while traveling through our partner Carpe Diem Education or Where There Be Dragons.
Phase 3: May through July
Returning Home and Integration
Return home, reflect on your experience, finish coursework to earn credit from the University of Montana, and integrate your international experience by engaging with the Portland community via internships and volunteer projects.
Each year students receive:
25 hours
of personalized writing and editing support while completing coursework
30 hours
of one-on-one mentorship before/after travel
106 to 170 hours
of group mentorship and meetings before/after travel
student testimonials
I’ve encouraged myself to do more things. A lot of those negative “what ifs?” have changed to more positive. I think to myself, “what if I get to travel more, what if I get to live in Vietnam for a couple of years because I really liked it there, or what if I get the career that I want, and what if I’m happy?” And I just feel kind of more independent than I used to be.... I’m happy that a lot of my “what ifs?” have turned into possibilities.
~Nitzny, Southeast Asia 2018
“The Hillary I knew before the trip was so different than the Hillary I grew to know during my two months in Central America. The old Hillary never did anything that was outside of her comfort zone and was afraid to be a leader. The new Hillary is brave, independent, and is always seeking opportunities to grow and get out of her comfort zone. “
~Hillary, Central America 2018
Hear about Nelyn’s experience in India in 2017 and all that’s come after
Iris’ experience in SE Asia changed the course of her education in 2015
Hear how Damian’s experience in Central America in 2014 opened new opportunties
