Fellow Stories

5 Reasons Why I Chose To Take A Gap Year

Leonardo Ruiz-Sanchez

2017-08-13

When I first heard of Tufts 1+4 bridge year program I thought to myself, “I could never do that. I would never have the courage to fly across the world for an entire year.” Eventually, after much research, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply. Here are the top five reasons why...

journal entry #001 → unreal

Stephanie Sanchez-Aguilar

2017-08-10

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide Home. What’s that mean? I guess it’s different for everyone. I have two places that I call home. One is an apartment that my family rents in Chelsea, a little city outside of Boston, five minute...

Where I am From

Rujen Amatya

2017-08-07

I am from Crayons, from Crayola and paraffin. I am from the cracked walls in my ceiling (miniature yet proliferating,  identical to sketches.) I am from rose tree, the Rhododendron, whose crimson red flowers  I use for pickle and juice. I am from discipline and patriotism, from Amatyas and Shresthas. I am from the be-a-doctor...

Donations Welcome

Toluwani Roberts

2017-08-05

Thank you for all who have donated to Global Citizen Year’s Scholarship Fund. Your participation has brought me closer to my goal. 100% of the proceeds goes towards next year’s class of Fellows. Support our future leaders by clicking the link here: https://donate.globalcitizenyear.org/fundraise?fcid=991882 Thank you!

Keeping An Open Mind

Leonardo Salvatore

2017-08-05

I remember the day I decided to move to the United States very well. I was only 15 and my life changed completely. I chose to change it completely. I was not as mature as I am now and yet, for some reason, I decided to move to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean,...

Realizing I Wanted To Reject Conventional Higher Education for a Bridge Year in Ecuador: A Decision In 3 Acts

Leandra Pedretti

2017-08-05

I I’ve spent the last two years criticizing conventional education systems whenever I got the chance. Give me a prompt and the opportunity and stand back as I rant on and on about the not-so-subtle class discrimination involved in standardized testing or the ineffective nature of the ‘memorize and regurgitate’ method needed for the majority...

a simple reflection

Allison Vaught

2017-08-05

A Simple Reflection If someone would have told me four years ago that after high school I would be going to be South America to help children, I would have never believed them. I mean, who does that? I was the last person to leave home, move to another country, and work as a volunteer...

It’s A Trip! -Joywave

2017-08-05

If by happenstance you ever find your eyes analyzing the stunning yet complacent midwestern skyline of Louisville, Kentucky, your eyes will bear witness to three features: the towering steel testaments to corporate ingenuity we laymen and women call skyscrapers, the various monolithic steeples ominously signaling impending religious exercises, and the few fading factories of the...

Erik oline blog entry 1

Erik Oline

2017-08-04

T-minus 23 Days First off, I would like to thank all the people that have made my gap year possible. Thank you to all my teachers that motivated me through high school. Thank you to my friends and family who are supporting my year abroad. Thank you to all the people that donated toward my...

New Adventure

Shukura Babirye

2017-08-03

In less than 24 days I will be embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. I am so excited to see all the fellow cohorts from Ecuador and ready to learn about the culture in Ecuador.  [vc_video link=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trT4NLJJmPU’]

Packing Makes It Real

Miniya Ali

2017-08-03

The time I have here in America is dwindling and its not necessarily a bad thing. In fact I find my self being hyper aware of the little things I might not have when I’m in Africa. Ever since I got the amazing news that I would become a global citizen year fellow, I’ve been...

GCY and why I’m applying to colleges a second time

Elise Steenburgh

2017-08-03

Hello! This is for all the high school juniors and seniors who are in the process of applying to colleges, as well as the parents who are wondering where to send their soon-to-be graduates. I never had plans to take a gap year. Ever since the age of five, I planned on attending the most prestigious...