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

Xaliis bii

The kids call me money “xaliis,” “l’argent.” They pull literally my skirt but figuratively my head out of the clouds for America isn’t a hero here but more of an arrogant exhibitionist. I thought all “Toubabs” were viewed the same until I met an old French man. Being a good host to his model wife’s friends, he kept me entertained by showing me his extensive movie collection. Genres already revealing the personality of this foreign man. I dragged my fingers along French titles and I picked up one… “Requiem for a Dream”. He chuckled and told me in Frenglish how it was an European critic on American culture. He then listed a few words… hamburger, drugs, superstars, pizza, money… He said enough, for he too called me money. I felt even more foreign and misunderstood, but we both were. When I think of France, I think of tiny gold and pink rimmed off white porcelain cups. Carefully and elegantly pouring the tea inside, for the cups were as fragile as a pristine rose. But here I am with a little bit of France in Senegal, a Paris in Dakar. There are no porcelain tea cups or little chairs in this man’s house.

I don’t have a wad of hundreds in my left jean pocket and no, I am not going to buy you a car. If there is one thing I’m not, it’s money. I am just a human … you know.

Alison Rivera

About Alison Rivera


Alison is most proud of her time spent completing the International Baccalaureate program, as well as her completion of 260 volunteer hours with BuildOn. Her passions revolve around issues dealing with society and education, and one of her greatest concerns is the growing disconnection between people and nature. She enjoys creative writing and literary analysis.

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