Growing up, I never imagined that a school trip would change the course of my life, but that’s exactly what happened during my time at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Michigan. Through Project Term, I was introduced to the transformative power of travel. Each trip was chosen with intention, designed to fulfill one of the core goals of the Sacred Heart mission—whether it was sparking intellectual curiosity or fostering a deeper sense of social awareness. This unique program took me beyond the familiar and into a world of wonder, pushing me to engage with cultures and perspectives far different from my own.

But here’s the thing—this wasn’t a vacation. It was an experience grounded in both wonder and rigor. Whether it was hiking the entirety of the Grand Canyon and sleeping under the stars or staying on a banana farm in Costa Rica while serving at a community school, each journey pushed us to reflect on how we could contribute to the world. We were expected to not only embrace awe and discovery but also think critically about our place in the world and how we could make it better.

While Project Term gave me the gift of awe, it also came with the expectation that we ask tough questions and engage deeply with the communities we encountered. We weren’t just experiencing the beauty of the world—we were challenged to reflect on how we could live with purpose and become leaders rooted in empathy, social responsibility, and ethical decision-making. The trips were chosen to fulfill the Sacred Heart goals, like building a deep respect for intellectual values, fostering social awareness that impels us to act, and emphasizing personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

These experiences planted the seeds for Brand New Day. They showed me that travel isn’t just about visiting new places—it’s about growth, challenging assumptions, and critically thinking about the world and our role in it. The same values that shaped my Project Term experience—cultural immersion, social awareness, personal growth, community-building, and leadership—are the foundation of Brand New Day’s mission. Our programs don’t just offer opportunities for wonder by exploring new cultures and global innovation hubs; they also require the rigor needed to think deeply about the future and how we shape it.

At Brand New Day, we believe that true leadership is born from balancing the wonder of discovery with the responsibility to act. Our travel programs encourage students to explore, ask questions, and engage deeply with the world while cultivating the skills, character, and mindset to make a meaningful impact.

Just as my early travels shaped my path, I’m passionate about helping others discover their own through transformative educational experiences. At Brand New Day, we’re not just creating travelers—we’re shaping future leaders who will build a world where empathy, creativity, and purpose drive everything they do.