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Children Playing

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I learned and experienced what I thought was nearly impossible for me to experience in life. I overcame my fears—for instance, I’m terrified of fish and of sea critters, but here I had to get in the water with the critters. And the most terrifying, amazing, thought-I-was-near-death experience I did have was actually last night. I went out on a night hike. If I didn’t have the TAs [teaching assistants], I don’t think I would have made it. I was able to go to Tangier Island and learn about their lifestyle.

There are just so many things I experienced in the last four days that I don’t have enough space to tell it all.

Photograph and text by Tiandra Johnson

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Adventure Videos

Check out adventure videos from our West Coast Adventure Editor Steve Casimiro and go "Behind the Lens."

Photo Tip of the Week

Long Exposures

When making long exposures, use a remote release to avoid camera movement. If you don't have a remote release, use the camera's self-timer.

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The Complete National Geographic

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Explore 120 years of amazing discoveries, fascinating maps, and the world's best photography.

Photography Guides

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Guides by National Geographic photographers.

The National Geographic Image Collection Book

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Own images from one of the finest and most extensive image collections on Earth.