Fellow Stories
True gap year stories from Fellows abroad!
Check out the latest blogs from Global Citizen Year Fellows in Brazil, Ecuador, and India!
Category
Class Year
Country
Looking Back
Jesse Aranda-Comer
2017-04-05
One of the more memorable moments of my time here came about the first week in my host community. I was sitting down to a dinner of rice and beans, hardly a dinner in retrospect, when I heard my host sister screaming from the other side of the house. To my surprise, I learned that...
Read MoreI didn’t expect any of this
Amma Thomas
2017-04-04
When I signed up for this experience I had a picture in my mind of how this bridge year bridge year would go and I could not have been more incorrect. I thought I was going to be living in the jungle in a house held up by stilts with flip flops as my sole...
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How to Use Scorpion Oil
Antoinette Cavagnolo
2017-04-04
———- Forwarded message ———-From: "antoinette venegas" <antoinettecavagnolo@gmail.com> Subject: How to Use Scorpion OilTo: "Antoinette Cavagnolo" <hellokittynerd@gmail.com>Cc: When I first moved into my host families house in Carpuela I noticed this bottle in the house. I didn't think much of it because I assumed it was a bottle filled with hibiscus flowers. One day while...
Read MoreTop 15 Spanish Songs
Maryanne Roughton
2017-04-04
Hi all! One of the most important parts of my bridge year was music. Here are my top 15 songs from my year in Ecuador. 1. Despacito- Lusi Fonsi (feat. Daddy Yankee) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk 2. Me Llamas- Piso 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A12g_0CK7PE 3. Otra Vez- Zion & Lennox (feat. J Balvin) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R5i6wQCOCQ 4. Dile Que Tu Me Quieres-...
Read MorePrivelege.
Kari Hoegh
2017-04-04
Privilege. The fact that I don’t have to think about getting a good education, i just do. Privilege. The fact that this was all temporary, that I get to leave. Privilege. I am going home to universal health care and a strong economy and stable political system. Privilege. I get to leave Machismo behind....
Read MoreFirst and Last
Kari Hoegh
2017-04-04
Today was my full final day here. As I was going through the day I found myself reflecting on my first day here. How scared I was, how nervous, how unknowing. As i was collected by my host dad and host sister, i hugged them nervously, not a custom in indigenous culture. The minute we...
Read MoreFinal Weekly Journal
Amma Thomas
2017-04-04
Monday Had stuffed papas con Enselada y aguacate Made patten for jacket pants and skirt, jacket reminded me of Janet Jackson. Customer was really nice, she has family in Manhattan. Made lemon bars. Had platano cake with cheese for dinner. Trying to clean out my suitcase. Tuesday Went on inspection in Pimapiro, didn't really do...
Read MoreUnfolding Landscapes
Jesse Aranda-Comer
2017-04-03
For the first time in my life, I have had to truly depend on a public transport system. My hometown of Houston, Texas is an extremely spacious city, enveloped in two massive highway systems. As a result, I almost always have to drive when having to go somewhere. However for the past seven months I...
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Chefin It Up
Jesse Aranda-Comer
2017-04-02
The other day I was invited by my good pal Merle to attend a private cooking class. I jumped at the opportunity and wondered what the class would have in store for us. Upon arrival, I learned we would be making beef empanadas, andean salad, and finally banana bread. The class started with us trying...
Read MoreThe Real Value of My Bridge Year: Understanding the Value of Family
Phoebe Park
2017-04-01
As a foreigner coming into a small community, its difficult, isolating, and lonely. My Spanish was weak, my Korean features drew curious yet detached stares, and my fashion choices marked me as an outsider. I remember thinking by the end of the first month, why am I here? I don’t belong. Especially going to the...
Read MoreCarnival in Cuenca Ecuador 2017
Savier Morales
2017-04-01
February 23, 2017, A little update on Carnival. In The central square of Cuenca, many Ecuadorian friends and families gathered to Celebrate. Many had a can of party foam, and a gleeful smile that only meant trouble. There was a band playing, people covered in foam and the firemen spraying the crowd with water. It...
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