Ithemba

Ithemba means hope in Swahili, the language prominent in Tanzania.

Hear stories of growth and transformation from the Ithemba cohort’s Storytelling Night, a moth style storytelling event.

Ahmad Hill

My name is Ahmad Hill. My life passion is martial arts. The one thing I love most in this world is the people that live on it. My hobbies are hiking, skateboarding, and just hanging out with friends. I’ll be starting my freshmen year at Portland Community College this fall. I’m so excited to see the world and experience life changing things.

Alejandra Villanueva Navarro

My name is Alejandra, this summer I have been an intern for the summer STEAM program in Centro Cultural. Working with younger kids has been the highlight of my summer. This fall term I will continue studying at PCC finishing up my transfer degree in order to continue at PSU winter term. After traveling throughout Southeast Asia, my next destination is going to visit my family back in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Ashley Gonzalez Lopez

Desiree Casanova

Since returning from my trip to Ecuador and Peru I have began work for a nonprofit organization called Edwards Center. I work as a direct support professional caring for adults with special needs, and am apart of a community geared to give them the best and most comfortable life possible. After working with so many incredible organizations while in South America I really felt passionate about getting involved in work that allows me to give back to my community and help others. My trip with Carpe Mind has changed my life in more ways than one. I learned to be more compassionate, how to turn my dreams into reality, and I was given the platform to accomplish goals. 

Upon returning to Portland Community College this fall I will be going full time and taking classes that will allow me to graduate with my associates this upcoming spring. My next steps after graduating from PCC is to attend the University of Oregon to major in clinical psychology and Neuroscience. I am confident I will be able to achieve these goals and do so successfully. Carpe Mundi challenged me every step of the way, and has given me that confidence to keep taking on and crushing those challenges that come my way.

Though I miss my abroad group, living in rural communities, and eating street food; I hold those memories close and use the lessons my trip taught me in my every day life. I find myself conserving water, being mindful of any plastic I use, and creating car pooling trips when I can.

After Carpe Mundi I am now in the best place I can be in my life. I have a wonderful job that I love, I am continuing on as a successful college student, have a confidence i didn't know even existed inside me and now how a whole community of support. I couldn't be more grateful, and I hope that Carpe Mundi can continue to change lives like it has mine and so many others. 

Dominique Lakhiaminh

Hello,

I am currently working for Carpe Mundi as an intern and working another job as a child care attendant. After coming back from my trip, I have been working a lot and spending time with my family. For Fall, I plan to continue my education at PCC and finish my transfer degree. I will transfer to PSU Winter term to start my undergraduate med degree. I plan to study to become a Radiologist, specifically work with Ultrasounds. From the trip, I have learned how to become more patient, understanding, but more importantly I am still learning how to be independent and learn to advocate for myself. 

Jason Tyler

Hey!  I’m Jason!  I’m 20 years old, a Gryffindor, and use they/them pronouns  I love animals, especially dogs (because they rock, obviously).  I am going to PCC this fall, and eventually would like to major in environmental science and/or art, or something else awesome.  I moved to Portland last year, and so far I love it here!!!  I’m super excited to be going on this trip because nothing could be better than an adventure, right?

Kayleigh Lillethun

Hey there!

Since coming home, I have been interning at the Carpe Mundi office with Rachel! I think about my trip everyday and I wish I was still traveling! I'm currently getting ready to move into my own apartment and start school again this fall. I hope that eventually I can become a special education teacher for young children. I have been taking care of and learning about children with disabilities for about three years now, including on my trip. In about a year, I'll be traveling through Europe, Canada and Africa with the workaway program. I'm very excited!

Kiara Chavez-Perez

Marco Chairez

My name is Marco Chairez. I am 21 years old. I was born in Port Townsend, Washington and was raised in the San Juan Islands. I attended Alliance at Meek high school and graduated in 2016. I am a full-time student at Portland Community College. I work at Mt Scott community pool as a lifeguard. I also work at PCC SE campus as the Student Bike Coordinator. I love staying active by playing soccer, swimming, hiking and riding my bike. I am so grateful for Carpe Mundi and their amazing staff for giving me the awesome opportunity to study abroad.

Nitzny Barragan

My name is Nitzny Barragan, I’m from San Diego California. I am a proud Latina and this summer I was able to meet my whole family in Mexico for the first time! It felt really amazing to be embraced in my culture and get to learn more about my family. That's why I'm really excited to have the opportunity to go to India and experience a different culture from mine. I am attending Portland Community College and plan to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I'm looking into the Veterinary Technician program but I'm still not sure about it. Although I'm not sure about the Vet Tech program I am sure that I want to work with animals.