Global Citizen Academy
2020 high school grads: now is your moment to become the leaders our world needs.
For the 2020-21 academic year, Global Citizen Year is proud to offer a new and alternative offering instead of our global fellowship.
If you're interested in a gap year, apply to join Global Citizen Academy - a first-of-its kind leadership experience equipping diverse high school graduates worldwide with powerful and practical skills for a lifetime of social impact.
EXPLORE THE ACADEMY
For more information about our global fellowship (set to resume for the academic year 2021-22) you can learn more below.
Get the global experience, skills, and network to break out from the expected.
Our gap year is designed to support you at every step and give the freedom to create an experience of your own.
Leadership Training
Join an amazing cohort of aspiring young changemakers. Together, your journey begins at Stanford where you’ll learn from innovators making a global impact - from AirBNB, Google, Kiva and beyond.
Global Immersion
Stay longer, go deeper. Become part of a host family and learn to make a meaningful impact on a local project. Learn a new language. Return home with resilience, confidence, and courage.
Lifelong Network
Start college (and your career!) with a global network who has your back and is ready to help you launch your best life.
Take global issues head on
Learn to make a responsible impact in environmental conservation, public health, agriculture, education, or social enterprise in countries around the world.
Brazil
Ecuador
India
Senegal
Get access to world-class thinkers and doers
Learn from leaders at the world’s most innovative companies and organizations.
Don’t wait 
to do something that matters
Fernanda (Brazil ‘17) got hands-on experience tackling global issues.
"I’ve developed my public speaking skills and made an impact on hundreds of people by motivating them to take care of our planet."
See Fernanda's story
Timia (India '16) got the independence and support that set her up for college success.
"India is such a world away from what I knew. My love for learning has been revitalized. I've come into my own."
Jasen (Senegal ‘17) lived and worked like a local.
"I’m a carpenter’s apprentice and together my boss and I create intricate beds, tables and chairs. I also get to teach English and Computer Literacy at the local school."
See Jasen's Story
Alumni are working across sectors and industries to change the world - for good.
Tufts, Stanford, Middlebury, Yale
At 400+ colleges, alumni are excelling as leaders on campus and in the classroom.
Fulbright, Rhodes & Gates Scholars
Distinguished by their Global Citizen Year, alumni achieve competitive grants and fellowships.
Tesla, JP Morgan, United Nations, TFA
Top companies and organizations across the globe hire Fellows after college.
Hear from gap year Fellows & Parents
Fellow / Senegal
New Continent, New Family
— Erik Oline
I turned around to the open arms of my host family (yes, all 23 of them)! The family farm is a little slice of heaven…
Parent / Brazil
Maturity & Perspective
— Shih-Hung Shieh
The Fellows mature into intelligent, compassionate, cosmopolitan citizens of the world, able to converse about global issues…
Fellow / Ecuador
Why I Came to Ecuador
— Henry Yeary
I wanted the world to slap me silly, sweep me up like a tornado and crash me down. I needed to live.
Fellow / India
This is How I Will Save the World
— Indi Nunez
The world does not need us to save it; it needs us to understand it. Perhaps to help is not to give after all, but rather to empower…
Fellow / Senegal
Ndanke, Ndanke
— Elise Leise
In a world filled with complex global challenges, I hope to be part of a generation that refuses to give up so easily.
Parent / Senegal
Real World Skills
— Pam Ricker (Jordan Ricker)
I am so glad my son has had this experience. It has given him more than the acquisition of two new languages…