Jo Purcell, Class of 2017
What have you been up to since graduating?
I spent six months traveling in Asia after graduating from high school. With a one-way plane ticket to Nepal, my partner, a 65-liter backpack, some courage, and lots of nerves, I left the country with little to no plan. It was easily the most informative, challenging, expansive, and joyous months of my life. I knew I wanted to take some time before starting college to learn in a new way - from the world around me. I was looking forward to experiencing new cultures, making connections, and stepping out of my comfort zone.
What was your itinerary while traveling?
Our first three months were spent in Nepal, where we studied Buddhism, trekked hundreds of miles through the Himalayas, and volunteered at a local school. The culture felt so rich; everything was done with intentionality and devotion. I learned to slow down and truly appreciate the world I was born into. The landscapes are so varied, causing such diverse experiences throughout such a small country (⅓ the size of California!). The kindness of the locals made me feel at home, warm, and comforted everywhere I went. Traveling was a huge place of growth for my confidence in myself, especially trekking. We spent 28 days hiking in the Solukhumbu Everest region of Nepal, getting up to 17,000 ft and sometimes in temperatures below 10°F. It was strenuous, and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Did you explore other regions?
The second half of our trip was spent in Thailand. Entering the land of beaches, pad thai, and sunshine felt like a reward after the cold mountains. This part of the trip was a place of strong connections. We met many like-minded travelers and got to meet folks coming from very diverse backgrounds. A highlight was the three weeks we spent at Gaia Ashram, an ecovillage in rural north-east Thailand. We volunteered and learned so much about permaculture practices, living in community, tending the earth, and how landscape shapes cultures.
What did you learn through this experience?
A big takeaway for me was how my art practice transcended language barriers; people watched me paint on the street, I drew thank-you notes for our hosts, and I traded prints. Communication through visual language has always inspired me, and is what I am now studying in college. I’m endlessly grateful for the ability to take this formative time in life to travel to a new corner of the earth. Thank you, Asia!
