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

Opportunity

Hi. My name is Josh Thompson.

During my freshman year of High School I traveled to Nicaragua on a week long “missions trip” with my church. While I am not certain about the impact of the trip (there are legitimate concerns about the efficacy and wisdom of short term missions), I was definitely enlightened by the experience. I gained knowledge about a different culture and awareness about the plight of the less fortunate. I gained a desire to learn, to grow, and to serve.

I had an impetus. Now the opportunity: Global Citizen Year. It is a bridge year program that consists of an immersive homestay and apprenticeship coupled with extensive leadership training. Global Citizen Year provides the framework to satisfy the desires created by my experience in Nicaragua. I will learn another language (I know about as much Spanish as I do Klingon—that is to say, very little) and of another culture through immersion. I will grow as a leader and a person through the challenges of living in a foreign country. And I will do all of this while serving others through an apprenticeship.

In about a month I will board a plane and depart. When I think about it, I can’t tell if I’m more terrified or more exhilarated. But I know it’s the right decision. What is 8 months compared to a lifetime of opportunities?

Josh Thompson

About Josh Thompson


Josh is proud of his positions as captain of the lacrosse and football team, as well as Senior Young Life Leader at Western Guilford High School. He is passionate about helping the victims of poverty in whatever way possible. In 2009 he spent a week in Nicaragua on a missions trip with his church, where he was able to help with farming, agriculture, and youth development. He believes that everyone should be given the opportunities that he has had from growing up in the United States.

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