Matt Celesta

Position at NOLS: NOLS Bus Marketing Representative
NOLS Course: Wilderness EMT, 2007

Have you ever known someone who couldn’t sit still and was always up for the next big adventure? For the NOLS bus crew, that person is Matthew Celesta. For this constant student, traveling and learning are one in the same, so when the bus crew came knocking, it was the perfect fit. “The opportunity to travel and learn with like minded people is right up my alley,” says Matthew.

Before finding his way to NOLS, Matthew earned his degree in Environmental Studies with a focus in sustainable agriculture from the University of California at Santa Cruz. But a traditional degree wasn’t enough for this global student. Matthew incorporated a three-month field study on tree conservation and sustainable agriculture in South America and then returned to his home state to hike the Colorado Trail and complete an independent study on the natural history of Colorado. In all, Matthew spent over 100 days learning outside the traditional classroom in 2005.

Matthew’s first opportunity to learn with NOLS was a Wilderness EMT course he took in the spring of 2007. “I had such a connection with the outdoors that coming to NOLS for my EMT training was an obvious choice to further my skills.” It wasn’t long after completing the course that Matthew found his way back to NOLS as a Rocky Mountain intern for the summer season. With the warm days of summer running out, he jumped at the opportunity to head out with the NOLS Bus. “It’s that old fashioned spirit of travel. An expedition is an expedition even if it’s in the frontcountry,” he says.

This 25-year-old is excited to soak up as much new information from his experience on the bus as possible. “I’d really like to expand my knowledge of America and who NOLS is affecting.” He’s also looking forward to meeting future students and NOLS/WMI alumni and trying his hand at ocean fishing. But what is he looking forward to the most? “Soaking. Lots of soaking in hot springs, the ocean and occasionally just the hotel pool.” No doubt he’ll also do his best to soak up every facet of this adventure. Welcome aboard, Matthew!