Student Stories

Sarah Delany reflects on the most impactful—and toughest—day of the customized NOLS course she took with fellow Bates College students in the Adirondacks.

Breaking the norms of leadership styles helped this NOLS grad grow on an all-women's sea kayaking leadership course in Baja California, Mexico.

NOLS grad Maddy Eschholz reflects on the transferrable lessons she brought home from her outdoor semester in the Rockies.

A Columbia Business School student shares the lessons he took home from a challenging backpacking expedition in Patagonia with NOLS.

Struggling with the big city life she thought she wanted, Elena Rodriguez realized that what she actually needed was a NOLS course—or two.

Outdoor educator Erin Phillips shares reflections on the time she spent exploring the Utah desert on a NOLS semester expedition.

My 30-day NOLS course was the hardest test of will, teamwork, strength and leadership I’ve ever experienced.

NOLS mountaineering grad Will Harrison shares tips on adjusting to city life and incorporating lessons learned outdoors to life at home.

NOLS grad Carolyn Highland reflects on how learning tolerance for adversity on an outdoor semester in New Zealand translates to challenges at home.

NOLS grad Haley Peel found the challenge she was looking for on a mountaineering course in India—and learned some lasting lessons along the way.

A NOLS alum reflects on the life-changing experiences he had while hiking, kayaking, and sailing on a semester in Baja California, Mexico.

Here's what one grad did to prepare for her gap year expedition in Patagonia with NOLS.