Gap Year Opportunities Around the Globe with Thinking Beyond Borders

Morra; Namaste; Savadi-krap; buenas dias.

Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone and this is where personal growth accelerates the most. Going abroad with people you don't know, going to countries that you are not familiar with and learning about things you have never heard about will give you a broad perspective of life and change you for sure.

Thinking Beyond Borders is a gap year for anybody. If you love beautiful places, getting to form close relationships with other people, and are interested in other cultures, then TBB is the gap year for you. The type of traveling you get to do with TBB is amazing because you get access to things I don't think I could traveling alone or with friends. Staying in home stays was my favorite part of the program as you get to become close with people you wouldn't have known otherwise. TBB provides an excellent academic portion of the program that you can choose to use how you like, I suggest taking advantage of the eye opening readings and seminars they have prepared. Along with that the access to fun activities is fantastic, my personal favorite being "Africanyon" a canyoning adventure we did in South Africa repelling down waterfalls and jumping off rocks in a canyon river. I don't feel like I missed out on anything not going to college as I gained so many amazing experiences, and now know what I want to study and where I want to go!

Thinking Beyond Borders was an incredible experience and a decision I am very glad I made. The program is one of informal learning through seminars, experiential activities, and travel. The academic portion of the trip is focused on the question, "What is development?", which was then framed within the contexts of global issues such as education, the health system, sustainable agriculture, and the environment. As students we were able to do as much learning as we wanted to for ourselves; readings, seminars, and activities are provided, but everything is optional (though the more you do the more you gain!!), so you really have control over your experience in that way. We got to live with host families in incredibly diverse locations and were able to really get to know the communities we lived with as we were there for 4-6 weeks. Beyond the academic portion of the trip, there were enrichment weeks filled with fun activities and "touristy" things (i.e. the Taj Mahal, Macchu Picchu, bungee jumping, exploring new cities, etc.). Overall it was a wonderful experience that cannot be rivaled by classroom learning. If you want to push yourself emotionally, academically, socially, and physically you should absolutely take part in TBB. It's not always easy, but you have support systems through the program itself, as well as in your peers -- the relationships I built on my gap year are deeper than any I've ever had and have taught me so much -- so do it!! You'll grow and hold a unique education that will assist you in whatever you choose to do next.

Thinking Beyond Borders was more than just a gap year where you got to travel the world. It is not a gap year where you get to just travel about the world but you get to do deep exploring of the world and of yourself. You get to join a community of people who also want to change the world but that will also become a family over the seven months together. You learn so much that you would never think possible and it is such a good experience to have before college. We got to live with host families, which is sometimes difficult, but in my opinion one of the best ways to experience a culture! Being away from family for so long right after high school can be hard but living with another family in a way can alleviate that homesickness. TBB was a once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone who is looking to learn about the world, about their place in the world, and just about themselves in general. It does that and a lot more if you are willing to let it!

I can't express how lucky I feel to have participated in TBB. I learned so many valuable lessons and had so many incredible experiences that I will never forget. Thinking Beyond Borders is a Gap Year program with a purpose and I would recommend it to anyone!

My decision to do Thinking Beyond Borders Global Gap Year is probably the best decision I have made in my life. It was truly incredible in ways that make it hard to put into words.
I'll start by saying that TBB creates an amazing way to push students out of their comfort zones, both with experiences and concepts, while surrounded by an awesome group of peers and mentors. I loved the readings and discussions about the four topics covered in the program because I felt I was learning information relevant to my life and participation in the world. As I said before its truly hard to describe but I will briefly explain the four main countries I went to.

Ecuador: My group planted trees in the Tsachila Community of Búa. I spoke Spanish after taking it in high school and really connected with my host family. The work project was physically demanding at times but always rewarding. The community was very welcoming. Be prepared for the fact that it is quite rural though. Bathing in the river and using compost toilets are the norm! It also helps if you love bananas!

China: I don't think TBB is going back to the community I visited in China. That being said the sustainable agriculture unit was my favorite! I became passionate about the food issues in the United States and am still motivated to do something about them now that I am home.

India: In India, we taught English in schools. The education unit was certainly the most challenging for me because I was teaching in school without a translator. The readings covered in this topic area also really get you thinking about the reasons you are teaching and if they are valid.

South Africa: The Public Health Unit was also a surprise to me. I knew next to nothing about public health issues, especially in Africa. I followed a caregiver around in a township as he did routine check ups on patients with everything from high blood pressure and diabetes to tuberculoses and HIV/AIDS. The patients really welcome you into their homes and offer a whole new perspective to learn from.

I chose Thinking Beyond Borders (TBB) because it gave me the unique experience of traveling to 7 different countries in 8 months, without returning to the US or seeing my family. I had never traveled like that before, and had only traveled with my family in hotels previously. TBB's arranging homestays for its students gave me the rare opportunity to learn and engage a culture intimately with a local family I got to know over the course of 6-7 weeks. Despite TBB's staff and teachers being there to help me with cultural difficulties, the program forced me to address and overcome cultural difficulties myself, giving me a greater understanding of my own cultural assumptions. I continue to glean new meaning from my year with TBB, even now as a junior in college.

Thinking Beyond Borders global gap year program is an amazing combination of travel, volunteer work and global studies. The global gap year is both challenging and rewarding, traveling with a group of 18 provides amazing friendships and community. Seminar discussions allow for processing and critical thinking. My experiences reframed my thinking and changed the way I engage with my community and the world.