Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind. —Anthony Bourdain

What an absolute blast. I could not be happier with the incredible leaders and guides I have had the opportunity to work with these past few weeks. Our students continually modeled perseverance, compassion, and vulnerability as we made our way through Nepal together.

Students: I wish you all the best as you move into a new school year. I hope this experience remains alive inside as you continue to grow and do good work in our “small world.”

— John

I’ve had the opportunity to lead several programs for Putney (and Putney’s partners, National Geographic Student Expeditions and New York Times Student Journeys). This community service program in Nepal was one of the most powerful and enjoyable trips I’ve had the pleasure of helping to lead. We leaders/guides were consistently impressed by the students’ resilience, positive attitudes, and give-it-our-best spirits. They leapt out of their comfort zones. They insisted on learning and practicing bits of Nepali in order to better connect with locals. They took the leeches and spiders and downpours in stride. They supported, celebrated, and comforted one another, and in doing so fostered a community that’ll be impossible to forget. These are the things that make a Putney program so special and life-changing.

Students: keep the above Anthony Bourdain quote from our writing exercise close to your hearts, maybe in a similar place you’ll stash your mala beads for safe-keeping 🙂 As the ups and downs fade, honor what the journey looked like for you and the imprint and impact you made on our local partners and friends here in Nepal. Channel Krishna’s “ohh wow!” spirit as you enter this next year of school; hold on to Chhyamba’s goofy grin and giggle; embody Mingmar’s “don’t worry, be happy” mentality as best you can; remember the girls, the work site, the dancing, the laughing, the communicating through things other than language. Thank you for making this program as great as it was. Wishing you all the best—and please please keep in touch!

— Natalie