Conversation with National Geographic Explorer & TV Host

Students met after school on February 2nd with National Geographic TV Host and explorer Piers Gibbon for a fascinating discussion about his experiences as a world traveler, anthropologist, television host and author.

Piers was definitely one of our most charismatic and engaging speakers we have had. He joined us through google meet from southwest France and shared various stories about his travels what he has learned and what our society has learned from indigenous tribes. He also shared a number of artifacts that he shared with us including a jaw harp, nose flute, pure tobacco, blow darts and some very potent poison used for hunting in the Amazon. Piers' stories were engaging and he offered some excellent advice for our global scholars. A recording of the conversation is posted below.

If you choose to watch the video know the recording did not start right away and started 2-3 minutes into the conversation. Where it begins, Piers Gibbon is sharing his background and experiences growing up in Kuwait and Russia which helped give him the taste for travel, experiencing other cultures. He also describes the important humbling experience of living in another culture and trying to work and communicate with others when you don't know the language. His discussion included the following:

* His background influences growing up

* Working with tribes in Peru for his show Jungle Trip and studying shamanistic

religions at Oxford University

* Returning to South America to learn about Headshrinkers of the Amazon in Ecuador

* Experiences on the show The Witch Doctor Will See You Now

* Experiences in Papua New Guinea for the show Eating with Cannibals

* Additional experiences including playing unique instruments such as a jaw harp,

nose flute, the importance of terminology in respect to cultures and why a Brit is

now living in France.

Piers also gave great advice to global scholar students that they should be willing to experience other cultures, get a passport and learn a language or phrases of a language to help connect with people as you travel.

We are very grateful for the time Piers gave our students and the excellent stories he shared with us. For those interested a recording of the conversation is found below.