APPLY
  • Program
  • Admissions
  • Speakers
  • Alumni
  • About Us
APPLY
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Apprenticeships
  • South Africa
  • FAQs
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Eligibility Quiz
  • Request Info
  • Alumni Stories
  • Community Hub
  • Fellowship
  • Academy
  • Our Story
  • Our Impact
  • Our Team
  • News & Press
  • For Educators
  • Donate

Gestalt

As I have learned in life, we can’t be with people or places forever. They die; we move; we lose touch: every relationship comes to an end. It took me a long time to realize this. It’s okay to not be with a person, even a person we love, especially if we want to grow and to learn and to keep moving forward.

But people leave souvenirs. We all buy souvenirs when we have to let go, but must take a piece with us, somehow. We can’t be with them forever, but their beauty and landmarks decorate our walls.

I like to look at my life as the tide: ebbing, flowing; pushing, pulling; giving, taking: the stories, the love of everyone around me, creating something bigger for myself. Yin. Yang. Gestalt.

I am you, all of you. I am my father’s smile, and my mom’s female independence. I am my sister’s empathy. I am Fareed’s “no judgement.” I realize now that I am Carter’s quaintness. I am Meghan’s academic engagement and Adlai’s charisma. I am Brittany’s unconditional and unwavering love for all creatures and Kirsten’s adventurousness. I am Mike Steven’s hunger for change. I am Jeff DiPrizito’s political savvy and David Nesbitt’s rawness. I am Hudson, New Hampshire’s ponds and streams. I am D.C.’s global perspective. I am Neliegh, Nebraska’s genuineness. I am me, but only through you, all of you, who may not have known how much you influenced my outlook on life.

Everyone. You may not be with me, but you are me, now. And I hope that I am in you, in your hearts; your feet, your hands; your minds.

That’s why I am going to Senegal: to take whatever there is for me to learn, to be, and, in exchange, give a little piece of me to whoever wants it.

Cheyenne Tessier

About Cheyenne Tessier


Cheyenne grew up in Hudson, New Hampshire. Her time spent at Alvirne High School reflects her desires to see more of the world outside of her town's borders, as she led the Model United Nations Club, founded the National History Club, guest taught civil rights courses, and hosted a concert to benefit Haiti. She also has an interest in social injustice and civil rights, and she would like to learn more about the developing world from living in it, rather than reading about it.

gcy logo
Take Action Lab
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Apprenticeships
  • South Africa
  • Take Action Lab FAQs
Academy
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Speakers
  • Academy Stories
  • Academy FAQs
Fellowship
  • Why Join
  • Experience
  • Destinations
  • Fellowship Stories
  • Fellowship FAQs
Admissions
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Gap Year Resources
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Our Impact
  • Our Team
  • News & Press
  • For Educators
  • Community Hub
  • Instructor Hub
  • Careers

1625 Clay Street, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94612
info@globalcitizenyear.org
415-963-9293

Have Admissions Questions?
Check out our FAQs or email our team at admissions@globalcitizenyear.org

Press Inquiries: Please contact Molly Weissman:
media@globalcitizenyear.org

Privacy Policy

© 2023 - Global Citizen Year