In normal circumstances, this month would be the second time we meet with new participants who sign up for the summer trips. Our first meeting would have been in February or March. Then, we usually share with parents the various activities and benefits of our program, and we discuss the preparatory steps and timeline. May is the usual time for our visa center visit. We spend few hours with most participants, and we start to tangibly feel the excitement of the trip to come.
When we post our first visa meet photo on social media, many participants who took the trip in previous years start sending us messages of nostalgia. We get messages like “Take me back” and “niyelkon”. And no group is the same, and every single individual stands out. This is why, we hold our community close to our heart, and we often use the hashtag #edustridefamily. It is extraordinary to spend 10 days with people exploring new places. Summer camps like these bring people closer and make them feel they are family. They are joined by the common wonders and laughs they had with each other: the marvels of new sites, the long walks, the shopping sprees, the information and tidbits shared by guides and teachers, the long nights of games and jokes, the songs, the dances, the photos, and the new friendships forged.
Every summer, with every new group, #edustridefamily grows. The new groups add their impressions, and the old groups revisit their best memories. This is how we are connected. That is without mentioning the calls and whatsapp messages when we check on each other and stay in touch. The Pandemic took away the excitement of preparing for new trips but couldn’t take away the connection. The bond is there and, because we miss those days, it is as strong as ever.
To celebrate this bond and keep the ties strong especially during those times when we are encouraged to practice social distancing and when we are asked to adopt new habits and consider them the new normal, we decided to start EduStride Online.
This is the name we give to a series of recorded chats with #edustridefamily members about themselves, their passions, how the lockdown changed their lives, and also about their recollections of the summer trip they took with EduStride. We already have 5 episodes lined up. Each episode is special in opening a new window into the lives of people we love and we have shared with unforgettable days, once upon a summer trip.
We all know these days are valuable because hardships teach lessons. We are aware good memories are enlivening and empowering, and so is faith and hope in better days to come. This is why we are there to always remind you to keep exploring the world, embracing the other, and celebrating the culture. To each #edustridefamily member and every one who upholds similar values, we offer you EduStride Online. We hope you like the series.
You can watch EduStride Online on our Facebook page, on Instagram, or here below via our youtube channel.
