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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Class Year
Country
O Ritmo da Vida Brasileira
Ava Hoffman
2012-09-19
The rhythmic beat of the drums rings in my ears as I enter the room, comprised of three walls of brick and mortar and a cement floor. The wall opposite to the entrance is lined with dozens of drums, each unique in size and shape. The instructor commences and the participants gather into a circle....
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From Neon Spandex to Hiking Boots
Camille LeBlanc
2012-09-18
Apologies for the infrequency of the blog posts! For the first time in years, I’m keeping a journal,which, unfortunately, is resulting in a reluctance to blog. But let me bring you up to speed: I arrived in Brazil two weeks ago, spent four days in Salvador, and am now in a small rural village in interior Bahia–Capao....
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Connecting With It
Christopher LaBorde
2012-09-18
I promised you guys a blog entry. I was hoping I could get it in earlier, but it’s been non-stop over here. So here it goes :] I am currently in Dakar, Senegal; Africa. It is as close to the west as I can get, while still being in Africa, but it is far from being Western. I...
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Something New
Daniel Schwarz
2012-09-18
I thought to myself, “I’m going to Ecuador for 8 months.” I didn’t know why but I knew it was what I was supposed to do. Something from within me knew it was right. Something from within me knew I wasn’t ready for college. I went with my gut, something that has never failed me,...
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Being Green in Brazil
Joshua Reason
2012-09-17
Like most developing countries, Brazil has prioritized rapid development and economic growth over sustainable practices and clean waste management. This isn’t a criticism of the country, but rather a sad reality that comes with aspiring to be an economic superpower. This fact was evident to me during my time in Salvador da Bahía, the third...
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A Letter to Quito
Emily Hwang
2012-09-17
Dearest Quito, You are a noisy city. Even in the second before I drift off into sleep or the second after I awake, even with my eyes closed and lights off and consciousness wavering, I could never pretend to be anywhere else. You are too full and thick. Your smells (both the yummy food ones...
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A Bridge Within A Gap
Avery Ashwill
2012-09-17
Initially there were eight of us without visas—The Brazil L8—we called ourselves with internal smirks. We spent three days in Tahoe. Floated the Truckee river, swam in the ice melt lake, and stayed in a cozy cabin a five minute walk from a private beach. Even with the outstanding scenery I couldn’t always stay focused...
Read MoreThat time I decided to take a year off before college…
Kimberly Nerea Tellez
2012-09-13
Being pressured into doing something can sometimes come as a relief when you don’t know what you want. But having a choice is always the better alternative. Lucky for me, I realized this last year during the college application frenzy of senior year. Though I felt ready for college, and definetly ready to do something...
Read MoreLearning to Sweat
Becky McClements
2012-09-13
I’m no stranger to sweat; I practically grew up dosed in it. From doing triathlons in the scorching summer sun to muck stalls and lifting bails of hay in the horribly humid air, I’m used to having every part of me drenched with beads of salty water. That being said, I think I have sweat more in the past...
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