An Update from Andalucía, Spain

Since early September, we have been in one of our favorite places in the world, Southern Spain. Also known as Andalucía, this region stretches from the the sunny shores of the Mediterranean on its southern border to the Atlantic coast below Portugal on its western border. The arid yet flourishing mountain valleys of Granada Province are to the east. Andalucía offers an incredible wealth of culture and history. We take regular trips to experience some of the amazing treasures from Spain's rich past, from walking through Medieval Castles, exploring Roman Ruins, or visiting Baroque Cathedrals to taking lessons in the gypsy rhythms of the Flamenco Guitar or watching a Bullfight, there is no end to the opportunities for new experiences.

Being a travel-based program, we are accustomed to settling into new places for a semester. Each new place has its excitement and its challenges, both culturally and often in terms of the basic infrastructure (such as establishing internet connection to be able to regularly post blog updates such as this one!). However, no matter where we are, we have invariably had great luck in finding spectacular places to live. We have settled into two quiet villas that sits between two ridges, with a perfect view of the Mediterranean sunset. On the only neighboring property, there is a 500 year old torre, or tower, that rises above the seascape. This watch tower was used to guard against the invading ships coming from the Barbary Coast of Africa. Below the house, there is an trail that goes down to the beach, where we spend time snorkeling, marveling at the marine life, and avoiding the jelly fish.

As always, our students continue to progress with their academic course work, record music and practice Spanish. One of our 16 year old students is quickly mastering the genre of Dubstep; while were initially skeptical of this genre of music, due to its faddish nature and the use of many detuned instruments, there is no question that he brings awareness of composition and skilled musicianship to all his songs. At the rate he is going, he will have a full album ready for release this coming year. Another 18 year old student continues to wow with his skills on the guitar. At first, what was remarkable was his speed, feel, and dexterity in playing solos and scales, but this is being overshadowed by his emerging talent as a singer and songwriter. A Pathways staff member is also nearing completion of his own newest album, a compilation of original songs, many of which feature former Pathways students.

We are excited to be moving to Panama after the new year! This new location in Central America will allow us to explore the rainforest and to continue with Spanish Immersion and music as well as bring us a host of community service opportunities.

Stay tuned for more news from Pathways Abroad and please subscribe so that you don't miss any posts.

Tel: (208) 980-7173

Email: pathwaysedu@yahoo.com

Students Compose, Record, and Produce Albums

Composing and recording original music is a mysterious and often transformative process. Making a finished recording usually requires a blend of inspiration, determination and fearlessness. It also provides the creator the opportunity to experience the joys that come from sticking with a task to produce a refined and edited finished product. It also encourages the producer to view one's own work both subjectively and objectively. Although it's always great to reach the point where a finished work is completed, the process of composing and recording might be it's own greatest reward.  Creating music is one of those rare activities where passion and rising to the challenge of the task overlap. It is not uncommon for a musically-inclined student who has struggled with focusing to be completely absorbed in a way that dissolves time and completely engages their attention in a way that they have not experienced before.

Many of our students have written, recorded, and released full albums while others have learned the ins and outs of digital recording and the joys of selfless collaboration. Our focus is not all about releasing cd's, but rather learning, having fun, collaborating with other musicians, and growing as people and musicians. We rarely encourage students to focus on music as a career goal but more as a way to begin using the creative process as a way toward creating a successful and fulfilling life. There are many other students who aren't mentioned below who have had great success writing and recording music with us.  

The following are albums students were written and produced while at Pathways Abroad. All are available for previewing and purchasing on Itunes. To listen to some of these tracks, go to our Music Page or click on the student profiles on the right sidebar.

Zack Slavkin (Kinack) - Ondas 

Zack was very determined and knew just the kind of sound and style he was aiming for, a unique blend of acoustic  and electronic melodies with electronic percussion.  Zack traveled with us to Spain, Argentina, and Chile, and he impressed us everywhere he went with his work ethic and willingness to enjoy his surroundings fully. His album has been reviewed to positive reviews by several magazines. Now Zack  attending Colorado State University . We're wishing Zack the best and hoping to hear more music from him soon.  

Justin Fink (Flowers) - Ready for Love 

Most of Justin's songs are based on straight forward guitar progressions with great drumming. He transformed these original progressions into unique gems with his catchy melodies, colorful voice, and knack for great lyrics. This is  truly an original and compelling album. Justin is currently in film school in Chicago.  

Rene Orth  - Freedom in the Desert 

Rene was a classically trained pianist and violinist who discovered her talent for singing while at Pathways Abroad in Argentina. She wanted to learn how to compose and produce original music at Pathways, and the results were astonishing and refreshing.

Sam Alderson  - Yellow Rose

Sam follows the mold of many great folk singer-songwriters. He took pride in keeping his lyrics personal, focusing on the people he had met and the places where he has lived. Sam was careful to keep his music as raw and natural sounding as possible. Sam did an incredible job helping design the the graphics for his album cover.  Sam was with us in Bariloche, Argentina and Chile.

Tango Guerrillas  - Electro

Pathways Abroad director, Rich Simpson and his son Matt, wrote most of this album. They produced it while living in Mendoza, Argentina. The songs feature a blend of classically-based tango instrumentation and electronica. Pathways student, Doug Peach, wrote and produced one of the songs. Former Pathways student, Scott Woodruff, also contributed on vocals and helped improve quality of the production. Many Argentine musician friends are also featured on the album, including our close friend Juan Pablo Jofré, a bandoneón player who is now one of the most well-known players in New York! Several Argentine vocalists made great contributions to the album, singing in Spanish.

Pathways Abroad - Sound Harvest

This album was released in 2008 and is a compilation of the music that Pathways Abroad students and staff produced while in Mendoza, Argentina between 2007 and 2009. It features music from Connor Murphy, Rene Orth, Doug Peach, Justin Fink, Nate Roleff, Matt Simpson, Scott Woodruff, and Rich Simpson.   

Josh Robbins - Tales From The Imagination
Josh, who became affectionately know as ,"El Hoshpo", while in Chile, was the most prolific of all of our students. A top-notch drummer, Josh quickly learned to add all sorts of instrumentation to his creations. He recorded enough material to fill close to 4 albums in the 10 months that he was with us. Josh was a generous collaborator who was always willing to accept ideas and contributions from others.

Nate Roleff - Self-Titled

Nate's music is fun and original, with a feel that combines elements of blues, jazz, and reggae. Nate is also a bold singer and lyricist who sounded quite a bit older and more sophisticated than a boy of 16.  When Nate's talents in playing and singing met with the producing skills of Pathways Abroad staff Scott and Rich, Nate's album evolved smoothly. In addition to completing High School course work and recording his music while he was with us in Mendoza, Argentina, Nate also took tango lessons and became a graceful tango dancer. 

Our 'Therapeutic Model' at Pathways

Most adolescents and young adults who have yet to forge an independent identity are basically peer driven. More than anything else, the dominant peer culture that they are exposed to is what shapes their internal thoughts, values, and behaviors.

With our high staff student ratio, we are the dominant peer culture.  Our ideals and values are sober and sound. But they are not taught as much as they are lived by our staff who live with our students, 24 hours a day.  We understand that therapy does not have to be directed by a person who checks in with the client for 1 to 2 hours per week. We live the therapy on a daily basis and work to maintain the positive peer culture that we create.

Family Environment

In older traditions, in many indigenous tribes and even in Western society prior to the Industrial Revolution, young men often were separated from their families and set up to live exclusively with a group of select elders who would act as mentors. This was a time where an adolescent, according to the Hero's Journey pioneer Joseph Campbell, was to learn how to become a man. This dynamic is so universal and effective because the elders were not just teachers but became the peers and friends of the young initiate.  The result of this type of arrangement is that our students  reach up for companionship and as they begin to think, feel, and act on a higher level.

Playing a live show

Our exciting and healthy lifestyle abroad, led by our energetic young staff, is effective because the situation we create is so compelling.  Students are less inclined to reinforce negative ideation when 
they are overwhelmed with creative, physical, and community service activities that engage them completely. Recording original music, speaking Spanish, making new friends in a new language, doing community service, exploring another country’s geography and culture, exercising and eating healthy - all of these things take our young clients out of the old familiar, peer-driven ways of living and intrinsically demand of them maturity, responsibility, and a  joyful approach to living.

The environment we construct is structured, controlled and always supervised, but at the same time it is relaxed and positive.  Although staff continually supervises our environment, we are able to create a sense of freedom within the framework of our diverse program.  We regularly bring in dinner guests consisting of  our responsible adult friends who fraternize with our students, share with them their experiences, and show them the benefits of living responsibly and creatively.

We are happy to answer any questions or concerns consultants or prospective parents might have.  We are currently based in Chile and have several openings for our trip to Spain for the Fall and Winter of 2012-13.  Please feel free to contact us at by phone at 208-980-7371 or email at pathwaysedu@yahoo.com.  

Student Profile : Katie B.

We normally work exclusively with young men. But when Katie's educational consultant called and said, "Trust me, you won't regret it", we accepted her as our newest enrollment. We were happy to discover that Katie was indeed an exceptional fit for our program in Chile. She had a blend of enthusiasm, kindness, and natural talent in the studio that enabled her to take a true creative plunge into the recording process. She also lent her vocal and lyrical talent to the projects that other students were producing.

Having come fresh out of  New Vision Wilderness in Wisconsin, Katie was eager to share all that she learned there and to put it into practice on a daily basis. We were continually impressed by her creative energy, unique way of looking at situations, and positive attitude that she brought to everything she did here in Chile.

Katie has a love of learning Spanish.  She arrived to Chile with a considerable grasp of the grammar and conjugation of Spanish, and she was able to catch up her conversational and comprehension abilities to the same high level. She also brought boundless enthusiasm to all of our volunteer activities.  She showed leadership in volunteering her time at a local day care. She also performed musically, playing guitar and singing, both at the day care and at the Concon Women's Center. She also became personally involved in bringing healthy meals to a local woman with serious health issues several times a week.

Katie worked hard in the gym and was gung-ho to hike, camp, and  body-board in the ocean water that had recently turned very cold!

Katie is a true original songwriter who doesn't shy away from the challenges of different music styles and genres. We found it remarkably fun and easy to work with Katie since she was able to give and take suggestions gracefully, making her one of the productive collaborators that we've ever worked with. As a lyricist Katie could come up with amazing poetic lines out of thin air in a way that was mind boggling. As a singer, Katie's honest vocal personality gives her songs an authentic and compelling quality that fits perfectly with her lyrics.

Katie is back in Chicago preparing to enter boarding school on the East Coast.

               
 

Student Profile: Nick G.

Nick in Valparaíso, Chile

Nick G. joined us this past summer here in Chile ( here in the Southern Hemisphere summer begins in December and lasts till late March). From the moment he arrived until he left in April, Nick generated a whirlwind of contagious creative energy. Nick was also one of the most good-natured and positive students that we've ever had the pleasure to work with. Nick would always have a kind word for everyone. His enthusiasm extended into the Gym, working on Community Service Projects and learning Spanish and making new friends. Nick is one of the musicians who we have worked with who brings quality and integrity to the world of rap and hip-hop. Not generally predisposed to producing rap music, we couldn't help but respect all that Nick brings to his creations. Nick wasn't about posturing or making himself out to be a suburban gangster. He is infatuated with words and loves poetically putting them together. For the many people who have close to zero tolerance of rap music, Nick's music could serve as proof that it's good to be open minded.

Nick joined us after graduating from Montana Academy. Before enrolling in Montana Academy, he had completed his wilderness experience at True North in Vermont. During the time that Nick was with us in Chile, he was always eager to collaborate with us on his projects and was always open to our very different contributions. He ended up with hip-hop creations that infused elements of Reggae, Jazz, Classical, Electronica, and Jazz Fusion. The sample mixtape below illustrates Nick's bold lyrical talents and his willingness to merge spoken word with all types of music.

Nick will be attending The University of New Haven in New Haven, Connecticut this Fall.

If you would like to receive an MP3 containing the full length version of any of Nick's songs (featured above), please send us an e-mail at pathwaysedu@yahoo.com We will send the songs to you promptly.

Nick on the Dunes of Concón

 Scanning the Ocean Horizon

At Playa Amarrilla, in Concón

Bodyboarding in the Pacific

Community Service Abroad

Since initially coming to Argentina in 2004, we have relied on community service as a way to give back to the community as well as learn about the value of helping others. It also enables to make new friends in the community where we live. In so many different situations we have noticed that people can still be happy and hopeful in spite of their social and economic hardships.  

During the two years that we were in Mendoza, Argentina, we  helped out at local orphanages and a children's hospital. We helped care for toddlers in a ward that was severely understaffed.  We built a playground at the Children's Hospital and completely renovated the girls dormitory in a homeless shelter. We also took over a middle school English class in a small rural town for a semester to teach students English.  In 2011, after a volcano erupted outside of Bariloche, Argentina, we helped our neighbors dig out the 3-4 inches of ash that covered roofs, gardens and yards.  In Chile, we have painted community buildings and done landscaping work for several families in need of assistance. We have also been helping out at a day care center filled with energetic 3 and 4 year olds. The dynamics of volunteering in the community can be complex and sometimes challenging due to the language and cultural barriers students face, but students invariably find it to be enriching both to the people they are serving and for their own personal development.

The opportunities for Community Service in Latin America are endless. We have enjoyed exploring ways to help out so that we get to know the people who we are helping. Here are just a few of the many pictures that we've taken over the last 8 years from some of our volunteer projects in Argentina and Chile.

 

After Renovation

During Renovation