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
Lakey
mimieshleman
2016-01-21
I met Lakey, a sociology professor, during independent travel in Rishikesh. During a hike (pictured above) we were able to have an extraordinary conversation about humanity. Despite her having grown up in northeastern India, it showed me location does not matter, the very basis of humans are the same. Lakey There is a...
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The Jewel of India
Elizabeth Schubert
2016-01-05
In 1631, after giving birth to her 14th child, Mughul Empress Mumtaz Mahal called her husband to her death bed. Her last words were pleads to the Emperor Shah Jahan. First, he must never remarry. Second, he must raise their children like a father, not as a king. And third, he must build her a tomb so magnificent, the whole...
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Congratulations Parinitha & Vikram
Alana Poole
2015-12-30
You are both so lovely, and I wish you all the best. Thank you for having me at your wedding.
Read MoreChristmas in India
Alana Poole
2015-12-30
So I’m alone on this 22-hour train ride going to Bangalore and it was about 11:30pm when I decided that I should sleep. I made my bed, put all my important things in my small bag and packed it and myself into a large burrito with a thick, wool blanket that really didn’t smell all...
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Permanent
Tatiana Calonje
2015-12-07
When a needle drags upon our skin and bleeds ink, it’s a tattoo. When I showed up at the Mumbai Airport, there was some sort of eye contact and mutual understanding I made with the promise of what was ahead. There still isn’t a name for this, some call it brave. Some call it incredible,...
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Elizabeth Schubert
2015-12-06
I recently received an email from the high school I graduated from requesting me to fill out a post-graduation survey. It contained this question: What is your current work/school status? o Full time employment o Part time employment only o Part time enrollment at a post-secondary institution (2yr, 4yr, Certificate Based Program) AND employed o ...
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Stop being satisfied with one single story.
Chantal Tonnessen Smeland
2015-12-04
When I left my home country I told myself that I would approach this experience and challenge with open arms- no limitations. No expectations, no biases. I would let the mind free, be a sponge to everything India has to offer me. And then I actually started living here. A part of the programme is...
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Grandma’s Apple Pie
Elizabeth Schubert
2015-11-28
I made Thanksgiving dinner for my host family last night. The odds were against me, but it actually turned out pretty well. In addition to green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy (all vegetarian), I also made pie. 2 pies, in fact: chocolate pie with oreo crust and my Grandmother’s Apple Pie. I started on...
Read MoreWhy India’s Crazy. And the Rest of the World is Worse.
Jordan.t.brett
2015-11-27
I’m walking down the street in the process of running away from school for a year. The street is like any other street in Pune, India. Filled with motorcycles, rickshaws, 3 cows, and a guy called Jai who decided that this is the perfect day for a mid afternoon stroll with a complete lack of clothing. You go Glen...
Read MoreSeva
stina.uro
2015-11-27
Seva – a service which is performed without any expectations of result or award for the person performing it This November, the Global Citizen Year team joined Teach for India to Ahmedabad for their mid-year retreat. One of the events here was an evening dedicated to seva. We could choose between many different activities, like visiting a...
Read MoreBlog 2: The King Drinks Too Much
Ismahan Ismail Hersi
2015-11-26
The King Drinks Too Much Tonight ants may dance between His toes Unlikely as it is that they could depose Do they not know, that it matters no more For the King drinks on the morrow Hummus and veggies and cranberry juice Laying gently on gilded platters as though trying to seduce And those...
Read MoreBlog 1: It would be dark if not for the auto driver, his friend and my mother
Ismahan Ismail Hersi
2015-11-26
It would be dark if not for the auto driver, his friend and my mother When the morning sun rises Naked men lay at our feet And they will not rise when spoken to When the evening river ripples Skinny men bathe in Mutha’s waters And they will not dry when made aware When...
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