My Give‑Back Project took the form of a blog on a publicly accessible website that I updated daily throughout our two‑week field school in Italy. Writing each day allowed me to reflect in real time, capturing my experiences, observations, and learning as they unfolded rather than only looking back once the trip had ended. This practice helped me stay present and intentional, as I was continually considering how each experience connected to Tuscan culture, tourism practices, sustainability, and the people and places we engaged with.
Because the website was open to the public, many of my family members and friends followed along with my posts in real time while I was away. They were able to learn with me day by day, gaining insight into the field school and the themes we explored. This widened the project’s impact, extending the learning beyond our class and allowing others to meaningfully engage with the content as the trip unfolded.
Although the website served as a personal reflection space, it also enabled me to give back to the broader community by sharing my learning outside the classroom. Each journal entry documents the activities and site visits we participated in, connecting the experiences to broader course concepts such as food and wine tourism, agritourism, cultural traditions, and responsible travel. By presenting these insights publicly, the blog becomes a resource for future students, community members, and anyone interested in understanding Tuscany through my perspective.
Maintaining the blog pushed me to think critically about how I represented local communities, ensuring that my reflections honoured their stories rather than reducing them to surface‑level observations. Through this approach, the Give‑Back Project became an ongoing record of my learning and growth while reinforcing the importance of thoughtful storytelling and shared knowledge. The final website reflects this daily reflective process and the insights gained throughout the field school, offering others a meaningful window into our experiences.