Welcome back, traveler, it’s hard to believe this journey is finally coming to an end.

As I sit and reflect on everything we experienced throughout Ecuador and the Amazon, I realize this trip became so much more than just a study abroad program. From hiking volcanoes and swimming through waterfalls to living alongside the Waorani people deep in the rainforest, every day challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and see the world from a completely different perspective.

One of the biggest lessons I’ll carry with me moving forward is the importance of connection — both with people and with the world around us. Whether it was sharing stories around a fire at the lodge, learning traditions from the Waorani tribe, or simply talking with classmates during long bus rides through the Andes, I learned how meaningful it is to slow down and truly appreciate the people and places around you.

This experience also reminded me how much there is to learn outside of a classroom. Seeing conservation efforts firsthand in the Amazon and hearing about the ongoing fight against illegal mining made global issues feel real in a way they never had before. It changed the way I think about sustainability, culture, and our responsibility to protect places and communities that are often overlooked.

I know I’ll carry these lessons with me throughout the rest of my time at Pitt and long after graduation. This trip gave me more confidence to try new things, embrace uncertainty, and be open to experiences that might initially seem intimidating. Traveling through another country and adapting to completely unfamiliar environments showed me that some of the best moments in life happen when you’re willing to take chances and be uncomfortable for a little while.

I definitely could not have gotten through this experience alone. I’m incredibly thankful for the professors and program leaders who guided us throughout the trip, as well as the friends I made along the way. Some of my favorite memories weren’t even the major excursions, but they were the little moments: laughing during long canoe rides, singing “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of the Amazon, eating fresh cacao in the rain, and playing soccer with the tribe despite getting completely muddy.

This experience absolutely changed my vision of the future. It reminded me how big the world really is and made me want to continue traveling, learning about other cultures, and seeking experiences that push me beyond what feels familiar.

For any future Frederick Honors College student considering this program: do it. You’ll come back with incredible memories, friendships, and stories, but more importantly, you’ll come back with a new perspective on the world and yourself.

One thing I wish I had known before leaving is how quickly the experience would fly by. I would tell future students to take as many photos as possible, keep a journal, and really be present in every moment because before you know it, you’ll be writing your final reflection, wondering where the time went.

Looking back, this trip was filled with once-in-a-lifetime memories I’ll never forget, and I’m incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to experience it all.

Until next time,
Matt Hay