Some time ago, I was living as an idealistic journalism student. Oh yeah, I was pretty sure I had the world figured out... but just to be sure, I decided to get out and see it.
Could I... would I... hop a plane to the other side of the world and spend a month discovering what I was made of? An opportunity had presented itself, and I wasn't about to take it lightly. So after a few beers I came to the following conclusion: "Hey, why not!"
This is how I got involved with International Student Volunteers, an organization that takes students from around the US to other parts of the world in an effort to do good. I had little experience in conservation work at the time, but figured there was no better way to learn than diving in head first!
The summer before my senior year at the University of Oregon, I hitched a ride to New Zealand. Along with forty other college students, I spent a month learning just what I was made of!
Over the next four weeks, I built trails in the rain forest, removed invasive plants from local swamps, and conducted surveys along the coast. It was tough, dirty and challenging... and I loved every minute of it.
But you can't travel across the world without taking in a few side adventures. That's where the days off came in. As we traveled across both islands of the country, there were plenty of bonus outings to be had.
Want to go hike up a glacier?
Skydive at sunset?
How about try the highest bungy jump in the world (at the time)?
I learned a lot on this trip, and I like to think that it fueled my desire to venture into the world of news. Get paid to go on daily adventures? Count me in!
