I have yet to leave home for my Gap Year Trip, but the time for me to leave for my first location is rapidly approaching. I am now 100% traveling to Costa Rica to participate in something called the CIME program. I will be spending the next 10 weeks or so doing a variety of things, some of…
One of the defining characteristics of the Mayan culture are the trajes tradicionales, or the traditional clothing, that are…
What is one artistic or creative work that you encountered during your gap year that particularly resonated with you? How does this creative work help you make sense of your gap year experience? It could be literature, poem, dance, artisan craft, architecture etc. If available…
My host sister Pauline and I have truly developed a great bond, one that I am so grateful to have. Last month Pauline was kind enough to invite me to go see a French theatrical play with her and her friends in the other side of Caen. Given my extroverted personality, I jumped at the…
Throughout my gap year, I have had the privilege of meeting a multitude of wonderful people who have either been with…
When the thought of traveling abroad alone first dawned on me, I was quite terrified. I had never before left the United States unaccompanied, let alone to a place which I had never before been to, staying with a family who I had never before seen personally, and for the span of…
When I look back at myself from August, and re-read the initial goals from traveling abroad that I had established, I do feel that I’ve made great progress towards them and have learned a lot these past few months. One of my goals was to improve my social skills, and acquaint myself with people…
Prior to departing on this life-altering adventure, I set three main goals for this year:
#1: Be conversational in the local language by Christmas.
Thinking back to August and writing what my goals are, I do think I have progressed towards them. I can certainly say that I was able to positively impact my students in Honduras and inspire them to continue pursuing their English studies, even as such a young age. As for…