Fellow Stories
True gap year stories from Fellows abroad!
Check out the latest blogs from Global Citizen Year Fellows in Brazil, Ecuador, and India!
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Class Year
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My Child, My Refugee
Erin Lang
2011-03-22
“Yama! Yama! Would you hurry up? Your appointment was at nine! It’s nine fifteen!” I shouted, annoyed and trying to make it to the dentist’s appointment that was already paid for. I found Yama sitting outside of my door, going through my trashcan for old papers and pens. “Yama! WHAT are you doing? And where...
Read MoreYekini is coming home
Michaela Kobsa Mark
2011-03-22
It is about 7:30 at night, and the street that is normally lit by the lights of shops and open house doors is now only visible because of the feeble streetlights. I walk past yet another closed boutique. Through the open rafters in the house next door I see the inhabitants fused to the furniture,...
Read MoreThe Men in Africa Not Doing That
Tess Langan
2011-03-21
What gives me hope is that the load Senegalese women carry is unable to lower their regal carriage or proud chins.
Read MoreTwo Sides of Death
Karyn Miller
2011-03-20
At the last GCY Brazil monthly meeting, we commenced as we always do: went around and told a high point and a low point of the last month in our homestays. Somewhat overly emotional, I couldn’t keep the tears from falling as I said that my high and low point were probably wrapped up in...
Read MoreNot a Teacher in Site
Erin Lang
2011-03-19
Wednesday, 8:00 am My stomach flipped over in disbelief. Every door in the school was shut and dead bolted, except for one… the classroom to the left of the library. There were at least one hundred children gathered in the doorway and outside of the classroom. I walked over to the class and discovered many...
Read MoreFarinha
Karyn Miller
2011-03-19
I now know the full process of making farinha, and have participated in almost all of it. It all begins with a field, a tractor, a plow, and some manioc seeds. The plantation process I have not witnessed or been part of yet, but word has it that I will get the opportunity before I...
Read MoreGirl Talk
Gus Ruchman
2011-03-18
Before I start I would like to clear the air: no, I do not have a Senegalese girlfriend, nor a Senegalese wife, nor do I plan on getting married while I am here, nor do I plan on taking more than one wife. Why the litany? Every few days I have déjà vu. I meet...
Read MoreSuccess Amongst Six
Erin Lang
2011-03-18
I am always renewed and inspired in the presence of these young girls.
Read MoreAntigamente
Karyn Miller
2011-03-18
On January 15, I think I learned more about Nova Suica in one day than I did over the course of the two months prior. It began when I arrived at the settlement school to greet a group of Brazilian university students who were arriving for a 10-day program. I found the school empty but...
Read MoreThe Last One to Believe
Erin Lang
2011-03-18
What I now see for the first time is the mechanism by which fear destroys intelligence, the way it affects a child’s whole way of thinking about, and dealing with life. So we have two problems, not one: to stop children from being afraid, and then to break them of the bad habits into which...
Read MoreOcupação
Karyn Miller
2011-03-17
I looked out over the fields of Nova Suica, empty but for the occasional bull, the lights of the houses glowing in the distance. The night chill had already set in, but I resisted putting on my jacket for fear that when it got colder, I’d be out of options. And it would almost certainly...
Read MoreAzeite de Dende
Karyn Miller
2011-03-17
We were at the health post, handing out bottles to those who were interested in buying. “10 reais for one liter? Really?” “You kidding? Smell it. Flavored, washed with spring water, mashed by hand—and with an American helper? How often does that happen?” This was the basic negotiation going on—I was being used as part...
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