Fellow Stories
True gap year stories from Fellows abroad!
Check out the latest blogs from Global Citizen Year Fellows in Brazil, Ecuador, and India!
Category
Class Year
Country
Being a part of change
Kedisha Samuels
2010-09-22
For so long, I have envisioned myself traveling somewhere far away. Longing for the chance to escape the walls of my community, the chance to explore life and all it has to offer, but most of all, the chance to explore me. When most people think about the future and what they predict themselves doing,...
Read MoreFirst blog
Toni White
2010-09-21
All my life I broke boundaries that were set before me. As a child growing up in the South Bronx, I felt as though society had already dictated my future. My community is filled with people who do not really want much out of life; only seeking to make money. From a young age, I...
Read MoreWho am I?
Naomi Wright
2010-09-21
At 4:46 PM on Monday, September 20th, I sat down with the intent to answer that question. Lounging in the welcome shade of Petaluma oak trees, I struggled to find even a reference point for where to begin. Should I look to my past? My circumstances up till now—people I’ve known, things I’ve experienced, places...
Read MoreThe beginning of a journey
Liza David
2010-09-21
It has been so exciting to finally start this journey. Before, it was an abstract idea; something to tell people offhandedly, “Oh yeah, I’m going to Ecuador”. And even now, the idea of going to Ecuador is only somewhat of a reality. After all, I am still in the United States, albeit I am across...
Read MoreEnter Stage Right
Joe Giallo
2010-09-21
So, hey y’all. Coming from Raleigh, North Carolina, it’s me, Joe. As a Global Citizen Year fellow, I’m really excited and can’t wait to get out in the field in Ecuador. I’m taking a bridge year in order to flesh out my understanding of the world, and sort of fill in the gaps left in...
Read MoreIntroductory Post
Amanda Brinegar
2010-09-21
As a child, my parents would often find me, independent of supervision, exploring beneath tables and desks in their workplace for used bubble gum. Without much thought, my small toddler fist would stick the gum into my o-shaped mouth to be discovered. Although I no longer chew used gum, I believe that I am still...
Read MoreThe Beginning of a New Adventure
Erin Lang
2010-09-21
I’m from Carmel, Indiana, a northern suburb about twenty minutes from the heart of Indianapolis. Since I was a small girl, challenge was never something I was afraid of. I had a playful and competitive spirit, and was always up for an adventure. My unusual passion for language and literature followed with me everywhere I...
Read MoreReaching out
Caroline Pocock
2010-09-21
I’ve always been the adventurous type. Ever since I could wobble on my own two feet, I’ve been seeking out new challenges and experiences that have the potential to broaden my horizons and strengthen my knowledge of myself and the world in which we live. Coming from a small town (Rutherfordton, NC population: 4,000) has...
Read MoreMy first blog post
Alberto Servin
2010-09-21
Hi there! I’ve spent the past few days here at the GCY training and it’s been amazing. It’s only been a couple of days in the program and I’ve already learned an overwhelming amount of information. It was a lot to take in, but it has definitely gotten me excited for Ecuador. It’s something I’m...
Read MoreMy first post
Clara Sekowski
2010-09-21
I want so badly to release all of my current thoughts and ideas and emotions in ink like veins on this page but I know that tomorrow, at this rate, this and all of today will seem juvenile and I will be embarrassed at how young I seem. Which is how I usually feel. I...
Read MoreIntroduction
Peter Saudek
2010-09-21
I was born and raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, and recently graduated from Lexington High School. I love music, basketball, the outdoors, and people. I decided I wanted to take a bridge year before college when I was applying to schools and I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to study, and did not have a...
Read MoreA brief intro to my story
Cameron Kaufman
2010-09-21
I moved to New York City after living in Paris for five years. Living there was one of those defining moments that irrevocably changes your life. As an American Jew in a strict French Catholic school, you could say it was slight culture shock. It was extremely hard having to be in situations that I...
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