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GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: MATT CLANTON AND HIS ONE-WAY TICKET TO ADVENTURE

By Eric Duarte (RPTA '13), Staff Writer

Matt Clanton, the enthusiastic and adventurous recent RPTA graduate, left Cal Poly's graduation ceremony with a one-way ticket to New Zealand. Clanton, who concentrated in Tourism Planning & Management, said he has always wanted to travel outside of the country and would have upon high school graduation, but he was instead convinced by his mom to attend Cal Poly. Now with his degree at Cal Poly in hand, Clanton has his opportunity to travel; the one way ticket means he can have zero ties to home and can create his experience as he goes without looking back. Clanton says, "The plan is not to have a plan. I want to explore, surf, meet people, and enjoy the simple life."

Clanton hopes to buy a Volkswagen bus-styled camper or van with a bed in the back "just in case sleeping under a waterfall sounds better than a room." He's planning to travel the North and South Islands with his girlfriend and visit Australia, Fiji, and Indonesia along the way.

Clanton said he loved the RPTA culture of being friendly and open to others and new experiences, enjoying the moment, and having a family-type atmosphere. He loved getting to know all of his professors personally, and appreciates them having their doors wide open to help students. His favorite class was an Outdoor Education class where he had the opportunity to backpack the Channel Islands for a weekend. The class taught basic survival skills such as triangulation, finding clean drinking water, and how to engage and work with others. He feels that class in particular will be especially important when traveling and meeting others abroad.

Eventually, Clanton plans to find work in the adventure tourism industry, hopefully as a manager for a bungee jumping or skydiving operation. As he embarks on his new journey, Clanton has these words of advice: "Don't take life too seriously; have fun and enjoy it, and don't forget to smile!"

Best wishes to Matt in his future adventures!

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