For Zachary Lathan, the hardest thing about being a part of Up With People is knowing it won’t last.

He’s visited 15 countries and performed with the group more than 50 times.

As with all good things, however, it will come to an end. The 19-year-old’s final performance with the group is in Belgium in July.

“It’s been really exciting,” he said. “It becomes everything you know.

“At the end of last semester I was having a bit of homesickness and I had to really remember why I’d signed up.

This year, the hardest part is knowing that it doesn’t last forever.”

The soloist is one of 100 people who make up the multinational cast. He’s travelled the world spreading inspirational messages through song and dance since he joined Up with People in September.

They arrive today in Bermuda. Community service projects, performances and workshops are part of their planned itinerary while here.

“I am so excited to bring Up with People home with me,” said Mr Lathan. “It shows what I have been doing for eight months.

“It shows how so many people from different cultures can come together united for one purpose. I think that is going to be super-exciting for me.”

One of the highlights of the tour was meeting the Pope at the Vatican last December.

“That was really exciting,” he said. “We arrived at 6.30am to beat the crowds through security.

“Then we had to wait six hours. During that time we sang five of our songs, about five times. It was funny because when he finally arrived we stopped in mid-song because we were so awed to see him.”

The Pope blessed their group and welcomed them to Italy.

“It was a very inspiring moment,” said Mr Lathan.

He spoke to Lifestyle last week, while in Mexico.

“I love Mexico City,” he said. “I think the people here are similar to us in Bermuda where even if you don’t know someone, you are still willing to help that person.

“People are loud here as well, which is really fun. It is gorgeous.

“There are a lot of cool buildings with cool cultures. On Sunday we went to a museum for Aztecs and got to see all the things they made.”

Of all the places he has visited, Switzerland stands out because his host family was so kind. “I loved Switzerland because they were so open and accepting there,” he said. “I also loved the United States because you could drive a few miles and be in the same country, but a completely different culture.”

He had a slightly less than positive experience in Lichtenstein.

“I was on a bus with a friend,” he said.

“When we stood to get off, everyone on the bus was staring at us. It was straight out of a horror film. We felt very uncomfortable. I got the feeling they didn’t get visitors there much.”

The experience has taught him tolerance, he said.

“I’ve learnt not to judge anyone before you know the full story,” he said. “We meet so many people we may have been scared of, normally. We went to juvenile facilities in which people were in there for different crimes. But they were still really open to us coming.”

He estimated he’s stayed with 30 host families. Some stays were longer than others.

“Along the way, you meet so many friends you call family,” he said.

“Last week we arrived late and the bus had to go without us. We got our own bus and taxi. As soon as I got on the bus my host brother waved, but he stayed there for 15 minutes after we got on and you could see tears in his eyes.”

Mr Lathan will head to Acadia University in Canada to study recreational therapy in September.

“I think this experience has definitely made it clear that that is something I really want to do,” he said.

Watch Up with People perform on the steps of City Hall at 5pm on Friday.

Further performances are scheduled at CedarBridge Academy on Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 at 7pm and on Saturday, April 30, at 2pm and 7pm. Buy tickets on www.ptix.bm

Visit upwithpeople.org/Bermuda for more information.