Fellow Stories

True gap year stories from Fellows abroad!

Check out the latest blogs from Global Citizen Year Fellows in Brazil, Ecuador, and India!

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Souvenirs

2011-03-23

A post written in October… As my first month’s supply of malaria medication comes to an end, I am becoming aware that I have been living in Senegal for almost a month. I’ve been living in Senegal for a month, and I still cannot make up my mind how this change has warped my perception...

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Senegalese Soccer

2011-03-22

A week ago, I was selling crème glaces and frozen ginger juices for my work at a soccer tournament. The first game had the local girls team, Mama Nguedj, playing against a team from Mbour. What struck me is that during the game the girls were laughing. They seemed to be sacrificing competitiveness for enjoyment....

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Ci École Bi

2011-03-22

Lundi, le 20 Décembre 2010 It’s 7:56. I’m heading towards Léona’s primary school to observe the educational system. Stepping onto the dirt road connecting Leona with Thiowor, a neighboring village, I join a flood of children pressing to reach the school yard on time. I suddenly have a thought: “What if I were here in...

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My Child, My Refugee

2011-03-22

“Yama!  Yama!  Would you hurry up? Your appointment was at nine! It’s nine fifteen!”  I shouted, annoyed and trying to make it to the dentist’s appointment that was already paid for.  I found Yama sitting outside of my door, going through my trashcan for old papers and pens. “Yama!  WHAT are you doing?  And where...

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Yekini is coming home

2011-03-22

It is about 7:30 at night, and the street that is normally lit by the lights of shops and open house doors is now only visible because of the feeble streetlights. I walk past yet another closed boutique. Through the open rafters in the house next door I see the inhabitants fused to the furniture,...

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The Men in Africa Not Doing That

2011-03-21

What gives me hope is that the load Senegalese women carry is unable to lower their regal carriage or proud chins.

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Not a Teacher in Site

2011-03-19

Wednesday, 8:00 am My stomach flipped over in disbelief.  Every door in the school was shut and dead bolted, except for one… the classroom to the left of the library.  There were at least one hundred children gathered in the doorway and outside of the classroom.  I walked over to the class and discovered many...

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Girl Talk

2011-03-18

Before I start I would like to clear the air: no, I do not have a Senegalese girlfriend, nor a Senegalese wife, nor do I plan on getting married while I am here, nor do I plan on taking more than one wife. Why the litany? Every few days I have déjà vu. I meet...

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Success Amongst Six

2011-03-18

I am always renewed and inspired in the presence of these young girls.

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The Last One to Believe

2011-03-18

What I now see for the first time is the mechanism by which fear destroys intelligence, the way it affects a child’s whole way of thinking about, and dealing with life.  So we have two problems, not one: to stop children from being afraid, and then to break them of the bad habits into which...

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Bridge work: Brunswick grad takes year off to go global in Senegal

2011-03-17

I distinctly remember the afternoon last spring when I shocked my guidance counselor by marching into his office and announcing that I would not be attending university in the fall. I was opting instead, I told him, to join a young program called Global Citizen Year. That conversation seemed a long time ago as I...

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The Longest Days, Chapter 5: “Seck and Senghor’s Excellent Adventure”

2011-03-15

Previously: Contrary to several prior predictions, I survived the day of the Magal 2011. I learned about special rules for doctors and was overwhelmed in the best ways by a plunge into the Grand Mosque. It was almost time to go home: Monday, 1 day after Magal: The city had changed. In fact, it was...

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