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
Not only Bollywood
Agustina Romero
2017-02-14
I've been wanting to write about the hard things, because it's rarely done. I've been wanting to write about the anger that invades me every time I see the Marathi teacher hitting the students, my students, or how whenever we have lunch man sit while women cook. Yes, this is the culture, but does that...
Read MoreThe Future
Natalia Plancarte
2017-02-10
Rihan Shaik Rihan is nine years old, in fourth grade and his favorite subject is math. He likes to play soccer and Kabbadi. When Rihan grows up he wants to become an engineer, because he likes math. Rihan wants to create airplanes and help make machines that will help make people’s lives easier. He hopes...
Read MoreLunch With a Monk
Alejandro Flores Monge
2017-02-07
I am often asked the question, "Why India?" I never hesitated to answer, but I was never totally convinced of my response. Thinking back makes me wonder if anybody else believed me. In a sense, I did become very good at lying simply because I was afraid of admitting to anyone, including myself, that I...
Read MoreBehind the Scenes
Natalia Plancarte
2017-02-01
When I applied to Global Citizen Year I remember thinking “Wow this looks amazing”. Who would have guessed that I’d actually be part of the 2017 cohort. I have been in country for four months,three weeks and five days. And a total of five months and five days away from home.It’s been a crazy adventure...
Read MoreA glance of my day
Natalia Plancarte
2017-02-01
BEEP BEEP BEEP that’s my alarm going off at six fifteen in the morning and that’s how I know my day is about to begin. I get out my bed and splash cold water on my face to wake myself up. After this I head into the bathroom to shower. Then I change into my...
Read MoreOppression
Andres Medina
2017-01-24
For most of my life I never thought about me having more privilege than anyone else, I just thought of myself as just another person with the same rights and privileges as everyone else. I have always seen everyone, regardless of who they are, not as superior or inferior to me but as equals. Unfortunately...
Read MoreTeaching and Learning
Andres Medina
2017-01-18
Many times I have been asked what exactly I do with my time in India, and the simplest way to put it is teaching and learning. From my apprenticeship to my Hindi classes everything is centered around learning and teaching. Even the nights are full of learning and teaching. I tend to stay up late...
Read MoreSix Cups of Chai
Holly Jacobson
2017-01-18
January 1st. Woke up to a new year. I take my usual shower and have breakfast. First cup of chai. Everyone packs into the car and drives and drives. Buildings blend into endless golden fields with a touch of hills blending into the sky. We reach a temple, ready to send good wishes and blessings...
Read MoreA Step by Step Guide to Crossing the Street
Isaiah Lewis
2016-12-26
In America, 1. Walk to end of sidewalk 2. Wait calmly for pedestrian light to turn green 3. Look both ways 4. Cross street In India 1. Walk to end of sidewalk 2. Take a deep breath 3. Take a moment to repent for your sins 4. Text your mother you love her 5. Walk...
Read MoreFamily
Andres Medina
2016-12-23
This bridge year has been a roller coaster so far. Nothing could have possibly prepared me for what has happened. I have learned so much and have seen so much that it's hard to know what to think, much less put it into writing. Absolutely everything is different from what I was used to in...
Read MoreDetails.
Holly Jacobson
2016-12-20
There are two ridiculously large dogs that live at the end of my street. They seem to be the “watchers” of this side of town, with both eyes closed fast asleep. When I go to Hindi class three days a week, there’s always the sweetest man who greets me with the most genuine smile. When...
Read MoreTS1
Andres Medina
2016-12-10
TS1 was a success! The entire cohort learned so much from the sessions and from each other. We are all fired up to tackle our remaining time here with a fervent desire to leave a positive impact in our communities. One of the sessions we had was on Community Action Projects. As we read more...
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