By: Ricardo Yamin Dinner with dorm receptionist and fellow GRIP student Alex Chinea Reflecting on my experience as an intern at the Kopke Port house in Porto, Portugal, I’m struck by how integral my colleagues have been in shaping this unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me into a professional, friendly, and…
By: William Pallan Bom Jesus de Monte During my time in Portugal, visiting the town of Braga was a highlight of my cultural exploration. The town’s rich history, stunning architecture, and the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary provided a deep connection to Portugal’s cultural heritage. This trip expanded my understanding of the country beyond just…
By: Donna Jalosjos I have been a student for as long as I can remember. Before doing this internship, I had some past experience working with high school students in tutoring, but I had never worked as a teacher with students from the ages of 3-10. When I first started at my internship, I was…
By: Riya Nandakumar One of my favorite views in Vietnam of the boats in Hoi An! It’s obvious to anyone that I don’t exactly look like a “local.” Over the past weeks, I’ve grown accustomed to walking down the street and getting a few stares or curious glances. Occasionally, cute kids or surprised adults will…
By: Jackson Eli Ford Temple outside of Bangkok Having moved across the country from the only city I knew and knowing no one, I was able to find a home in Philadelphia. After a school year that was more than high school me could have ever imagined, it was time to once again pack my…
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…