Last month felt like a lot of things came together, especially as all the students started to wrap up their manuscripts. Month 4 in Jagna and at CVIF felt like everything was all happening at once. This month felt intense, but in a good way.
It started with some time off because of Holy Week and a flight north. I found myself in Vietnam with a loose plan, my backpack, and the excitement of returning to a country I hadn't been to in 18 years. Plus, I was really looking forward to the food! The highlight of the trip was what every person seems to be doing if they find themselves in Northern Vietnam: the Ha Giang and Cao Bang Loop, which took me all the way to the border between Vietnam and China. My days were filled with winding mountain roads, rice fields between valleys, waterfalls, and the beauty of life in rural Vietnam. While the scenery was extraordinary, I was lucky enough to share it with the most wonderful people — we all felt how lucky we were to experience what we did, and left grateful for the friendship and the memories. I was reminded of why I love solo travel so much, and it was an unforgettable trip!
The experience of a lifetime with new friends on the Ha Giang and Cao Bang Loop.
Upon returning to Jagna, what was waiting was graduation at CVIF. This was a crazy week involving final corrections to manuscripts, and celebrations I was very lucky to be a part of. When I arrived in January, I never realized how meaningful it would be to see the students graduate. Yet I found myself sitting in the front row of their graduation with a lot of pride and excitement for them. All the teachers also dressed in the traditional filipiniana attire, which was a lovely honor to be a part of.
Graduation ceremony: teachers from CVIF in traditional dress.
Graduation in the Philippines is something special — unlike anything I'd experienced before. It began with an appreciation ceremony for teachers and parents, which was very moving, followed by the awarding of medals, achievements, and recognitions, all met with a lot of enthusiasm. Having spent the last semester alongside these students, seeing them walk up and be acknowledged for all their hard work was very special — they earned every moment of it. And then there was the graduation ball. I was not prepared for this: giant ball gowns in every color imaginable, suits with capes, tiaras, sequins catching light from every direction. Everyone looked like they'd been styled for a royal wedding. It was amazing to see.
Graduation ball festivities — lots of dancing with students and teachers alike.
With the school year winding down, I've had a lot more time to hang out with the teachers, who have been great company outside of school hours. We've filled our days with morning hikes, sampling local delicacies, and café hangs. And finally, I've gotten back into the water! I'd been putting off scuba diving for a while now — laziness mostly, dressed up as busyness — but I finally made the trip and I am so glad that I did, because I'd forgotten how much I love it. How lucky am I that I'm based in Bohol, where some of the best diving exists right off the coast of Panglao. Now I'm obsessed with diving again, so I've booked in some trips for next month: chasing whale sharks in Southern Leyte, a visit to Limasawa (Moana Island), and Siargao. Fingers crossed on the whale sharks.
After a morning hike, a delicious traditional Filipino snack (puto maya and sikwate) in a bungalow on the water. Doesn't get better than this.
— An Tran, Science Corps Fellow at CVIF, Jagna, Philippines