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
Turning ruts into rivers…
Andrew William Dunn
2016-01-24
Before I go into saying just how this year has taught me about turning rut stories into river stories, maybe I should start by explaining these concepts. So river stories are sort of the things in life that run smoothly, without you having to put too much effort into it. A rut story on the...
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10 Things You May Not Know About Ecuador:
Hugo Santiago
2016-01-24
If you are applying (or thinking of applying) to the amazing one-of-a-kind spectacular program that goes by the name of Global Citizen Year and you’re not sure which country to apply for…let me tell you about my host country, Ecuador by providing you with “10 Things You May Not Know About My Kick-Butt Country” To...
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Taxi-Man
Hugo Santiago
2016-01-24
This happened last December right around Christmas. Alright so this guy driving my Taxi noticed from my accent I’m North American and he would NOT let me get out of the Taxi. Instead of taking me where I asked him he parked his car in some random alley. I was like 89% sure I...
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Here’s to the Next Few Months
Gabriella Westcott
2016-01-17
Hello all, I know it has been a while since I last updated, and for that I apologize. All I can say is that these last few months have been challenging yet enlightening while inevitably filled with love and laughter. To celebrate this timing in the program cycle, about a little more than half way...
Read MoreHere in Ecuador
Makaleh Smith
2016-01-17
Here in Ecuador, you quite often start out the night with one set of plans, and end up with a night that could only be explained by, “someone looked at the wrong page of the daily planner.” My Saturday night started out with the simple statement, “we have been invited to attend mass”. Exciting!...
Read MoreSign Your Name Here
Marisa Etzell
2016-01-16
*Note: I coordinated with the director of the local school in my community to assist with English class one day a week. This post was written on Tuesday, January 5th, after school got out. During the last 10 minutes of class, a girl who had been sitting in the back of the classroom and hadn't...
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A Love Letter
Elena Doss
2016-01-03
Dear Ecuador, Four short months ago, I was a young traveler trying to find my calling. I’ll admit I was overwhelmed the first time we met. Your difference in lifestyle, motion and language challenged my ideal thoughts. You pushed me to stretch my comfort zone, by making sure I had to ride three buses to...
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Mantras, self reflection, rice and cows
Charlotte Robbins
2016-01-03
The past four months have changed me. Wow I think we are all cringing at the cliche. But it’s true. Bummer. I’m not a drastically different person — actually I think I’m just more me. I’ve changed in little ways: I’m more patient, grateful, and empathetic; I’m not shy about speaking up about something I...
Read MoreTrying to Envision the Future
Makaleh Smith
2016-01-02
In September, we were told to make a “vision statement”. Basically, at the end of these eight months abraod, what we hope to have accomplished. Knowing that I am perfectly imperfect human being, I may not fully accomplish all of the following visions. However, seeing that it is New Years, I can’t see a better...
Read MoreThe People I Meet
Emery Harwell
2015-12-31
When I was applying to college last year, I remember UNC Chapel Hill had a prompt about micro-moments of human connection. Bummer that this isn’t a prompt this year, because damn could I write a good essay. My time in Ecuador is a non-stop learning experience. A lot of my learning is done on my...
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The Struggle with Gender: An Article from a Genderqueer Individual Living in Ecuador
Noah Hapke
2015-12-28
If you may remember, a couple months ago I wrote a blog about being gay and appearing to be “straight” in my community of San Juan. My standpoint on the matter still holds firmly, as I see no need to express this part about me to my community – especially because, after living here for...
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Expectations: A Christmas Edition
Noah Hapke
2015-12-28
When I envisioned my ‘Ecua-Christmas’ I didn’t really know what to prepare for in all honesty. In California where I am from, my family always gathers at my Grandma’s house on Christmas Eve to prepare a nice Italian dinner and open presents together. Then, the next morning, my sister and I would run into my...
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