Program Reviews

I chose Global Citizen Year because I knew that I wanted more than college, at least for a while. Although I was terrified of the idea of living so far for so long, I liked the structured curriculum of Global Citizen Year. I liked the idea of a balance between the support system of the cohort and team leader, as well as the independence of living with a host family. After having completed my year in Ecuador, I feel nothing short of honored to a part of such a special group of young people and such an incredible program. This year was perhaps the most challenging of my life and yet, by far the most rewarding and I challenge any interested student to go for it!

I applied for Global Citizen Year knowing that it would give me challenges that a college year couldn't offer- immersion into a new culture, language, and learn-by-doing apprenticeship(s). I lived with a family in Kedougou city in Senegal and learned to speak Pulaar. I helped teach English in a high school classroom and worked with Peace Corps volunteers at agricultural trainings with a program called "Trees for the Future". I learned about different attitudes towards time, gender roles, success, and religion (just to name a few) that different cultures dictate.

On top of all of this immersion experience, Global Citizen Year's trainings throughout and at the beginning and end of the program allow for connections to made between Fellow from all different backgrounds from all over the United States. The trainings allow for deeper reflection and learning, allowing participants to truly get the most out of their experiences and connections.

My Global Citizen Year has given me the drive to make the most of my up-coming college experience and continue to explore the world.

This program is by far one of the best programmes for cultural immersion. They also offer apprenticeships for learning experiences as a young person. I became a part an puzzle of my community, and through that, I was able to learn my fourth language, Spanish.

I found that GCY was a great way for me to take a breather from academic style learning in order to clear my head, and figure out what my interests are. The program not only gave me a lot of freedom in terms of what to do with my year abroad, but it also built a huge network for me. I got to bond with other program participants, met amazing and inspiring staff members, and have continued to feel this support since returning home. Not to mention, the support network I built for myself while in Senegal.
Now that I am in college, I find that I often look back on my experience, not only as hands on knowledge that backs up what I may be learning in classes I take, but as a cross cultural experience that taught me about independence, responsibility, and, most importantly, about setting and pursiung goals for myself based on my own, individual passions.

My bridge year with Global Citizen Year was an incredible experience, not only from what I learned during my year abroad, but also from the insight and perspective I gained upon my return. The work I was doing in Ecuador has provided a meaningful platform for my university coursework that has provided me with a deeper interest, understanding, and outlook on the material I'm learning. I highly recommend a bridge year with Global Citizen Year to any graduating high school senior because it's an investment that makes your college experience that much more valuable.

Global Citizen Year really knew how to facilitate learning through day-to-day experience in unique learning situations and environments. A wonderful, life-changing program that showed me the value and importance of culture.

Global Citizen Year is the only opportunity that combines world-class leadership training with total immersion in communities around the world. It's not for everyone, but if it's for you, it will change your life.

Global Citizen Year is one of the most (if not the most) enriching experienes you will ever have in your life. I spent my Global Citizen Year in Senegal, Africa where I mainly partook in immersing my myself into the culture and learning French and Serere, an indigenous language. I also responsible for completing an apprenticeship teaching English at the local high school. Between work, there is a lot of free time to get to know the community and further strengthen your language skills. I lived 4mins away from the beach and spent lots of time with my host siblings as well as friends there. Understanding all the cultural norms and values was definitely challenging as I was only there for a year and had to learn the language first. Learning the a new cultural perspective definitely broadened my understanding of my own society and the world. It was absolutely the most peaceful year I had had in all my life and I came back to college well prepared with first hand knowledge of a lot of material that was fresh information for many of my peers.

Global Citizen Year is not a year off, it is a year on. Particularly for those interested in leadership development and poverty and economic development, this is an absolutely extraordinary opportunity.

My GCY in Senegal literally changed the course of my life. After going abroad I learned much more about the quality of my character, what truly inspired me how to persevere past troubles and that I can make a positive difference in the world around, even if only by spreading smiles.

When frustrated because of language barriers, I went out of my way to greet and converse with as many people as possible until I could only smile for success. When feeling like an outsider, I went and asked for the chance to help people with their daily work until I found myself eating dinner with new friends and family. The list continues for some length.