By: Kidist Belew I was overcome with many feelings when my 22-hour journey from Atlanta to The Gambia had come to an end. Excitement for the experiences I would soon realize would alter the course of my life for the better. Anxiety about being in a region of the world I had never seen myself…
By: Kedi Belew During my time in Bwiam, I had the opportunity to participate in Bwiam General Hospital’s annual Walk for Health and Sports Tournament. This event involves a lively 5k walk around the community with music and dancing. The afternoon and evening conclude with a series of competitive games and various races. The goal…
By: Stefan Hatch Most of my weekends this summer were spent on trips to nearby countries or hanging out in the busier, central parts of Singapore. With so many malls and easily accessible attractions, it’s possible to spend weeks in Singapore without leaving the middle part of the city. I realized I was boxing myself…
By: Wei-An Jin Gardens by the Bay in Singapore 5 INCHES OF HAIR (left behind, on the floor of a hair salon by Raffles City) They say to cut your hair for a fresh start, but in truth, I did it because I can’t stand feeling hair strands all sweat-slick sticky against the back of…
By: Bruno Basner Sometimes random thoughts can seem foolish, but occasionally, a seemingly silly idea can lead to lifelong memories. One such instance occurred on a random July day in Tokyo. “Hey, we should climb Mt. Fuji.” “WE SHOULD TOTALLY CLIMB MOUNT FUJI!” Never mind the complete lack of hiking experience or the embarrassing lack…
By: Simon Lee When I first packed my bags and left the familiar comforts of the USA for an internship in Singapore, I knew I was in for an adventure. My time here has been full of pleasant surprises and unexpected challenges. One of the most delightful discoveries has been my newfound love for nighttime…
By: Juan Lopez Group of Interns in Santa Marta Coming into the Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP), my only expectation of Medellín was the high temperature it’s known for. The first week hit me hard: I knew fewer than 5 people, I was told I had 7 AM to 5 PM workdays and on…
By: Emily Roberts Rainbow on my walk home While at work, hearing loud crashes from the roof could mean two things. It could be the wind rattling the trees, and the branches are hitting the building, or it could mean monkeys are jumping around the roof. Monkeys, motmots, kinkajous, tarantulas, and agoutis all surprised me…
By: Jenna Boccher During my internship in Costa Rica, I encountered a culture that challenged my preconceived notions of time and productivity. The beauty of Costa Rica extended beyond its lush treescapes and vibrant flora and fauna—it was deeply rooted in the local tradition of “Tico Time.” This concept of deliberate slowness and the relaxed…
By: Paris Ye Dear Pre-GRIP Paris, It’s funny now to think about how you were so sure you didn’t want to apply for GRIP this summer. I remember how you declared to Rachel in December that you definitely weren’t going to apply (and she also said she wouldn’t) – and look where you both are…