2018-05-31
What follows is an informal response to my two favorite questions, “How was your Capstone?” and “How was Ecuador?” A few weeks ago, I revisited my high school to give an overview about my year in Ecuador. It was the easiest way to tell my gap year story because the goal was clear: convince high...
Read More2018-03-07
Throughout the year, I’ve talked a lot about my personal experience in Ecuador; about my growth and experiences as Toluwani. However, my identity goes beyond my individuality, for lack of a better word. It’s important for me to illustrate my experience as a black young woman in Ecuador. The people in my Ecuador are kind,...
Read More2018-02-15
My January and February have been bien full with travel. So far, I’ve adventured in Baños, Cuenca, Cañar, and recently, in Puyo, a community in the Amazon. There are so many stories to share; too many to fit into this post. Instead, I’ve decided to highlight a few moments. Wed., Jan. 24 | Turucu It...
Read More2017-12-11
This blog post is way overdue. It’s about time I told y’all a lil about my host family and apprenticeship. I’m a new member of the Andrango family. The family consists of Yauri, my 21 year old brother who is currently studying in the capital of Quito; Yarina, my 18 year old sister...
Read More2017-11-08
I’m in a “complicated relationship” with language. I studied Spanish in school for six years. Yet when I arrived in country, I struggled to find the words to communicate with my first host family, my Spanish teachers, and my second (now permanent) host family. For example, Instead of saying “tengo hambre” (I’m hungry, or literally,...
Read More2017-09-23
This blog post is inspired by my tears. I have cried more this week than I can remember crying this whole year. I didn’t cry when I left New York City. I didn’t cry during my week at Stanford or during my week in Quito. I didn’t cry for my mother and my father and...
Read More2017-09-15
Welcome to Ecuador! To become acquainted with your new home, we are going to start by placing you in an isolated area for four days, starting Thursday, September 7th. It is a large compound – a spiritual retreat center – called San Patricio. The area is surrounded by trees and mountains and there is a...
Read More2017-08-30
This week is nothing like I expected. I told one of my mentors before I arrived at Global Citizen Year’s Program Launch that I was least excited about this first week. I hate orientations: the hyperactivity, anxious kindness, the leech of fresh and desperate “friendships”. Disgusting, right? Yeah, I’m not with it. I wanted to...
Read More2017-08-26
August 26, 2017 New York, NY Dear Toluwani, In just ONE DAY you leave for the greatest adventure in your lifetime. You’ll walk into the airport, with just a carry-on suitcase and backpack in tow, with your mother by your side, print your ticket, cross through TSA and then, BOOM. You’ll be alone, with so...
Read More2017-08-05
Thank you for all who have donated to Global Citizen Year’s Scholarship Fund. Your participation has brought me closer to my goal. 100% of the proceeds goes towards next year’s class of Fellows. Support our future leaders by clicking the link here: https://donate.globalcitizenyear.org/fundraise?fcid=991882 Thank you!
Read More2017-07-30
Fun fact #1: I knew that I wanted to do a “gap year” before I even applied for college. The best learning I had ever had was outside of the standard educational system. Summer internships and my semester school taught me more about myself and gave me a new lens to see the world. I...
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