Archive for the 'EX' Category

A senior at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, Maggie Young is a member of the National Honors Society and a co-president of both the Diversity Leadership Team and the S.A.D.D. Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions). She plans to attend the University of Dayton in Ohio as a member of the honors college next fall. In 2010, Maggie went on Overland’s European Explorer, and this fall, she wrote one of her college application essays about her growth on the program. 

I felt a sudden wave of panic race through my body while I looked back hoping for one last glance of my parents—the last glance I would get for the next four weeks. All of the excitement and motivation I had felt building up to this day were gone, and I was left sitting alone in a foreign airport replaying my mother’s parting words in my head as if those words could bring her back to me and help guide me while I ventured out on my own. A caring voice interrupted my silent panic asking what magazine I wanted to read first on the plane—the voice of a girl I had met just seconds before, a girl with whom I had pledged to travel and live. I hurriedly collected myself as she approached and worked to avert my thoughts to petty small talk as we discussed our worries and expectations for what I knew was sure to be the scariest and most demanding experience of my life. I felt the faith I had in my decision to leave home drain from my pores in an excruciating nervous sweat. I had willingly subjected myself to living out of a backpack for four weeks with thirteen strangers in Europe while hiking a demanding hiking route in what turned out to be the most challenging and best month of my life.

The considerable growth I made as a person during that month would have been impossible if I had not chosen to take a chance and press my boundaries. The teamwork it took to get twelve inexperienced teenagers through the challenging backcountry terrain was greater than what I had witnessed in any previous sport or activity. Simple acts, like offering to carry heavier loads for seemingly endless miles of uphill climbing or pushing through painful foot blisters and demoralizing falls for the success of the group, instilled in me a sense of selflessness. Immature classifications and differences that once seemed crucial in my teenage mindset had no place in this new family. With the demanding mileage and conditions, disagreements had no place in the dynamic of our group. The idea of “next play,” simply choosing to move on after a dispute, became our motto for succeeding as a unified family. I brought this idea home with me, and I have become a more mature and well-rounded person because of it.

I am proud of myself for having completed this trip and letting its implications show in my everyday life. The nervousness I felt in the airport prior to that month was well worth what I got from the trip. It would be hard for me to imagine how different my life would be if I had just chosen to have a summer similar to every other one of my life. I know that this experience has positively changed me, and I would not trade it for the world.

Maggie in the French Alps

Hello!

European Explorer has made it to Italy! They had a brief stopover last Saturday in Chamonix, France to re-stock for their Tour Mont Blanc hike. The group really got into playing a game of chess on a life-size chess board in the town square. They explored the City and sat down for an “incredible” French dinner at a local restaurant.  Afterward they headed to Les Contamines where everyone went swimming in an “amazing” pool that they found before crossing the Col de la Seigne (the French-Italian border) into Italy. The group is enjoying their taste of Italy – experiencing the Italian versions of mountain refuges and great views of Mont Blanc. Yesterday they had a fantastic breakfast of freshly-baked chocolate croissants before checking out Courmayeur, a beautiful town nestled in the snow-capped Alps. The “playful, nutella-loving” group is really enjoying their time in Italy and looking forward to continuing the Tour Mont Blanc into Switzerland!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any photos from European Explorer this week, but once they return from Europe, we’ll upload their photos onto the Overland SmugMug site!

- Alec

Hello!

European Explorer says hi from Barcelona! They loved their time in the Pyrenees with a great rest day spent exploring the town of Vielhas. It was a great introduction to a small, European, mountain town. And they experienced the townsfolk all disappearing for their afternoon siesta! The GR-11 hike went really well – the group loved the views and meeting other hikers. On Wednesday they returned to Barcelona to explore the city. They checked out Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral  – a very surreal structure—and headed up to Park Güell for fantastic views of Barcelona sprawling below them and the Mediterranean in the background. They also took full advantage of the kitchen at the Barcelona hostel, cooking up a delicious feast of chicken stir-fry with veggies. And they topped it off with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Apparently it’s sold right on Las Ramblas, the main street in the city! Yesterday they headed down to Sitges to hang out on the beach. They played lots of soccer with a multicultural crowd of Spaniards, Uruguayans and Argentinians before challenging the Overland Language and Exploration Spain group to a round of Volleyball! All and all a great day. Today they catch the train all the way to Chamonix to begin their Tour Mont Blanc hike.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any photos from European Explorer this week, but once Matt and Hannah return to Williamstown, we’ll upload their photos onto the Overland SmugMug site!

- Alec

Hello!

Matt, Hannah and the European Explorer group say hi from the Pyrenees! They’ve had a great first week full of beautiful hikes and delicious food. They spent Tuesday night in Refugi d’Amitges, perched up above a lake overlooking a rugged mountain valley. They enjoyed hanging out by the lake for three to four hours and exploring the area before heading in for a filling dinner. They started out with a big bowl of noodle soup followed by a second course of Mac N’Cheese and sausages. Thinking this would be the last of the dinner they ate their fill, only to realize there was a main course of steak on the way! A funny moment for the group, but they proved up to the challenge. Besides the food the group has enjoyed meeting the other characters on the trail – French, Spanish, Canadians, English, Italians and even a few Scottish! The students have really taken a hold of this opportunity to practice their language skills. Overall they’ve had some “real tough” hiking days with some big, big climbs, but Hannah and Matt report that the group is really resilient and totally up to the challenge! Today they’ll continue heading west along the GR-11.

- Alec