Fellow Stories
True gap year stories from Fellows abroad right now.
Check out the latest blogs from Global Citizen Year Fellows in Brazil, Ecuador, India, and Senegal!
The Cure for Homesickness?
Ecuador, 12 September, 2018
It happened on the second day, right after breakfast. I called my mom for the first time since arriving at my host family’s house. We talked about how great my host family is, how beautiful Illuman (my new town) is, how excited I am to…
Ignorance.
Senegal, 12 September, 2018
“When will you leave to Africa?” “Isn’t t dangerous for women in Africa?” “You are very brave to go to Africa.” First, I am going to Senegal. A country IN Africa. Africa is NOT a country. Africa is a CONTINENT. Second, Africa is…
note to self
Senegal, 12 September, 2018
Bring yourself back to the time when Senegal sounded so unrealistic and distant to you that you found it hard to express your thoughts about it. Remember the excitement that ran through your veins paired with a never-felt-before anxiety about this decision that you made…
A Thought and a Poem
Senegal, 12 September, 2018
It is my fifth day in Senegal. This week has been filled with wonderful memories, late nights, new knowledge, and countless greetings of “salamaliekum” when passing by someone on the street. It seems like a dream; I am staying in a hotel with some of...
Communicating Without Words
Brazil, 12 September, 2018
To preface this, my current knowledge of Portuguese is at or a peg below a native toddlers (although I’ve met some 4 year olds with a significantly broader vocabulary). I can safely navigate conversations discussing food & how hot/cold it is, but any other topic…
The Complexities of Being an American Abroad
Brazil, 12 September, 2018
Today is 9/11. It’s a day that is normally filled with remembrance, a day I personally don’t remember all that well, but it still holds a deep place in my heart. 9/11 was a day that changed The United States of American forever. 17 years…
Luzia
Brazil, 11 September, 2018
In three weeks of orientation, I’ve carried my notebook, pen and water bottle around my fair share of classrooms, lecture halls and conference rooms. I carried them around the Tufts and Stanford Campuses and the Morros Das Pedras Hotel in my tote bag, somewhat obnoxiously…
I Miss You, I Miss You Not
Senegal, 11 September, 2018
Things I Miss: · Toilet paper · Tissues · La Croix/ water that doesn’t taste faintly soapy · The luxury of speaking my first language · A warm shower · Clean air · Things to look at on the walls · Air conditioning. Air conditioning….
Drop-Off Day
Senegal, 11 September, 2018
I’m here. I’m finally here. After 5 months of anticipation, uncertainty and a touch of fear I am in my new home. I am in my new room. My things may be somewhat organized in my cabinet and my desk, but the space remains foreign….