By William Clark

Members of the Public Broadcasting Service TV show and student movement “Roadtrip Nation” came to Northeastern Tuesday to speak with students about following what they love on the road to success.

Career Services sponsored the event, which drew a low turnout of about 15 students to Room 340 of the Curry Student Center to listen to the group’s presentation.

According to the “Roadtrip Nation” website, the program supports an individual’s hunger for self-exploration through experience. Members of “Roadtrip Nation” travel in the Green RV, named for its color and not to be confused with an eco-friendly vehicle. The group parked the RV on the streets of Northeastern’s campus this weekend, but took a break to speak with students on Tuesday.

Sarah Burlington, a member of the campus tour team, said the message of “Roadtrip Nation” is to actively engage people around them. Another Green RV member, Tim Thompson, said he agreed.

“The ethos of ‘Roadtrip Nation’ is taking time to find what it is you love,” Thompson said. “[It’s] talking to people that have fought the 9 to 5 grind, pursuing and succeeding in what it is they love.”

He said individuals who wish to participate in the “Roadtrip Nation” program can apply to the Behind the Wheel or Indie Road Trip programs.

Thompson said Behind the Wheel is an all-expense paid journey in the Green RV traveling a route of one’s choice, while interviewing successful people. Participants of Behind the Wheel, have spoken to artists, activists, photographers, experimental theatre entrepreneurs and sports stars.

He said on an Indie Road Trip individuals can travel the grids of New York City to the outback of Australia in their own vehicle, creating a self-inscribed version of Behind the Wheel. “Roadtrip Nation” would then subsidize the cost based on the amount of work (video, blogs, photographs) a team wants to prepare, he said.

A video presentation showed that while traveling, those participating in the program set up interviews with people who interest them, asking them how they were able to succeed without sacrificing what they love to do.

“Roadtrip Nation” looks for people who are inspired by the open road of conversation and exploration, and are looking to ignite their lives following the path of what they love and not succumbing to the pressures of establishment, according to the video presentation.

Thompson said the group is speaking to encourage students to take advantage of the opportunity, that “Roadtrip Nation” could provide.

Giustina Renzoni, a sophomore cultural anthropology major, said she was moved by the lecture.

“It is inspiring to see kids my own age, following their dream of road tripping across the United States, meeting amazing and interesting people along the way,” she said.

Associate Director of Career Services Nancy Richmond, who said “Roadtrip Nation” contacted the university, thought the presentation was an opportunity for students to learn about different occupations.

“We believe ‘Roadtrip nation’ goes with the philosophy of career services in encouraging students to get out there and talk to people in their fields of interest,” she said.