Seldom and Wonderful: My Experience with National Geographic

Group shot in County Offaly, Ireland

In July 2013 I went on my first National Geographic Student Expedition in Greece and Italy. I went on the trip to learn about travel writing. The group consisted of about 30 students, and that group was divided into three smaller groups: archaeologists, writers, and photographers. There were three leaders, each travel enthusiasts and very skilled in their own field.

We also had the opportunity to work with an esteemed photographer named Massimo Bassano. His impressive life and career left us all in awe. Throughout the trip we tried to foods, hiked to new lengths, and heard new languages. By the end of this trip I had become so close with every single person. As we said our goodbyes in the airport, tears and all, I realized that I wanted to experience that feeling again.

This July, I went on my second National Geographic Student Expedition in Ireland. This experience was different, because I knew what I was getting myself into. I did not waste any time with unnecessary nerves or awkwardness. After some ice-breakers, and getting through the security lines at JFK Airport, people began getting to know each other.

As soon as we arrived in Dublin, everyone was a bit jet lagged, but ready to explore. We walked through the cobblestone streets, heard the music leaking outside the pubs, and watched the street performers in all their glory. The word special tends to have an empty meaning, because it is so overused, but trust me when I say Ireland is special. The people are so warm, friendly, and no doubt talkative. Every time we were in a store or restaurant and people would hear our American accents we would be greeted by a friendly “Where you from? Why are you here?”

Photograph by Chris Rainier

As soon as we would tell them, they would tell us where to go, what to do, and often mention a random family member who lives in America. People would often stop when they saw a homeless person, hand them a cigarette, offer them some food, and actually ask them about their story — that was pure culture shock. On this trip we worked with a National Geographic photographer named Chris Rainier. On the first night he was with us, he showed us his pictures. He had done a project on cultures which are dying out.

“I would go to a tribe and ask them if there was another tribe that was even more remote, and I would just repeat that process. I ended up having about 10 to 14 translators,” Rainier stated. Rainier has an eye for the untold stories. It was an honor to be able to work with him even though I am not a photographer, because he told stories in a way I wish I could. By the end of this trip I was right where I was last time; saying goodbye to some of the closest friends I have ever made, and being so ready to do it all over again in some capacity.

On National Geographic trips you learn how to be a traveler, not a tourist. You immerse yourself and observe your surroundings; you never judge or disturb. Aside from seeing impressive natural structures, beautiful historic cities, and simple human interactions, you also make great friends.

Group shot in Galway, Ireland

“This trip went beyond my expectations of an educational trip. I feel like I have a new family and have grown as a traveler, a photographer, and a person,” says student Hallie Fuchs. There is something about exploring new places together that brings people that much closer. These trips have taught me about myself not just as a writer, but as a traveler. I cannot wait to explore even more places in the future, hopefully with some of the many close friends I have made through National Geographic.

There is a saying in Gaelic that goes: an rud is annamh is iontach. This means: the thing that’s seldom is wonderful. I think this perfectly describes why this trip is so wonderful. There is something in the rarity of traveling with a group of like-minded others, simply traveling and doing what you love, that makes it so remarkable.