Program Reviews

Hi! I’m Bohdan, and I’m from Ukraine.

A year ago, I was extremely fortunate to join the Baret Scholars Program—at the time, I had no idea what kind of journey was waiting for me ahead...

Travelling across 7 global centers, learning from leading experts, and growing alongside a cohort of ambitious youngsters is just the tip of the iceberg of what this program offers.

Stepping into orientation in New Hampshire felt like walking into a concentrated version of the world itself—a group of 100 people, each bringing different ethnicities, belief systems, motivations, and perspectives. By the end of that first week, my head was buzzing with new ideas, emotions, and the excitement of what the next 38 weeks would bring.

One of the things I cherished most at Baret was the freedom to simply be myself—while also constantly growing through the people and places around me. Here, authenticity wasn’t just welcomed but celebrated. Whether it was sharing stories, listening deeply to others, debating late at night, or simply making jokes, it all created an environment where everyone could question assumptions, embrace ideas one had never considered before, and experience real growth and discovery.

Before embarking on this program, I hesitated, wondering if I should take the leap. Looking back now, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. So, if you have a chance to join Baret Scholars -- GO FOR IT! Learn about the world before stepping into it— Baret is the best thing you can do before your next big step in life!

Hi, I’m Lindi and I’m a Baret Scholars alumna from the Netherlands!

I discovered Baret Scholars while searching for something to do during my gap year and let’s start by saying that this is the best thing I’ve ever stumbled upon. Being the inaugural cohort meant that there wasn’t much information available about the program when I signed up, but like the rest of my cohort, I took the leap and stepped onto a plane to Boston.
From my very first interaction with my fellow scholars, Baret quickly proved itself not to be to good to be through like a lot of us thought before haha. We actually travelled to the most incredible places! From seeing the Statue of Liberty in New York, hiking in Argentina, holding turtles on the coast of Kenya to graduating next to the Great Wall of China - I am eternally grateful for this experience.

It is not only the travelling that made this experience so incredible, it’s also the people. The speakers in the morning program made me rethink my interests and even changed my mind about the plans I had for university, the fellows were always there to help you through it all, and I made my absolute best friends in the cohort. I have never been in a more welcoming and supportive community than during my time with Baret Scholars.

I would definitely recommend Baret to anyone who’s thinking of taking a gap year (also after university) and who is interested in travelling!

Hello there! My name is Mohamed, I am from Morocco, and I am a Baret Scholar alumnus now!

If you’re reading this today, it’s because I can’t get over this truly memorable, unique, and different experience that my friends and I have lived moment by moment: it was the best thing that has ever happened to me - zero exaggeration, and here’s why: (Also, I chose to write voluntarily because of the amount of gratitude I hold for this program.)

After I got in last year, I was full of uncertainty, as it was newly started. However, the idea of being part of the beginning of something as interesting, ambitious, and life-changing as Baret encouraged me and 100 amazing scholars from more than 40 countries that later on became my best friends to embark on this journey, and based on a poll we had in our graduation, about 98% of the cohort affirmed this journey impacted and changed them! Plus, who wouldn’t want to travel the world?! I went to 11 countries in 9 months, stayed in 4-5-star hotels, ate authentic food in its original place, visited 3 world wonders, and I even got an upgrade on my flight back home. How crazy is that!!

From the very second I stepped into Boston’s airport to my final departure for Casablanca, I can confidently state that every day I lived in Baret was a day I was excited, joyful, and proud to have spent.

I followed on with my passion for AI and founded my very own startup, thanks to starting things (an afternoon class with our founder, Chris Whittle, teaching us how to successfully create a business). Additionally, I have practiced written and spoken journalism by writing a series of essays about the places I’ve been, creating a blog where I rated the dozen airlines I flew with, and making personal content…

At this point, I don’t even think my experience in college will be any better than this one. Ha-ha! This year, I’ve hosted webinars, written articles, and spoken to applicants not promoting the program, rather speaking the truth and encouraging people like yourselves to apply, because it only takes that one click! Don’t hesitate to literally just do it.

Good luck! You got this, I am rooting for you!!