An Opportunity for Students Finishing High School to Volunteer Abroad
An Opportunity for Students Finishing High School to Volunteer Abroad
The best volunteer abroad programs after high school can present you with life-changing experiences, as well as opportunities to boost your personal and professional skill set, and beef your resume up in the process. Global Citizen Year offers students transitioning from high school to college the chance to:
Spend extended time in a new country.
Many volunteer abroad programs are only a couple weeks or maybe a couple of months. With Global Citizen Year, you'll spend eight full months abroad in one of our destination options. Research shows extended travel time can have a beneficial impact on one's personal growth and overall conscientiousness. The amount of time you spend on your gap year will allow you to more fully experience your host country — it gives you more opportunities to do activities, experience the culture, and learn the language.
Do more than volunteer.
To volunteer abroad in high school is self-satisfying, but if you do not find one of the best places to volunteer, it often fails to teach new skills. Global Citizen Year allows you to partner with a local organization and gain real work experience while developing the intangible traits that are valuable in college and the workplace — drive, curiosity and resilience. Make your work work for you. Get ahead with teaching, travel, projects and volunteer work that will really make a difference to your resume and skill sets.
Get ahead in college.
While some have mistakenly worried that a gap year will set them behind in their college career, the truth is that our alumni tend to graduate a year faster than the national average. Some studies show that ‘gappers’ even have higher GPAs!
Live with local residents.
With Global Citizen Year, you'll live with a local host family that has been closely screened and trained by our staff. There's no better way to become part of the community than by living in the community! Living with local families allows you to more fully understand each others’ cultures, and offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and perhaps pick it up quicker.
Acquire the necessary preparation.
All of our Fellows go through extended training prior to their departure. This time allows fellows to familiarize themselves with the country, culture and current events. You can feel secure as you get ready to jump into your new adventure. You are not required to know anything going into your program, but thanks to our training prior to your journey, by the time you leave for your destination you will be well prepared.
Create a project.
Global Citizen Year Fellows maintain a blog and are encouraged to document their time through posting photos and videos. The year culminates in an opportunity to share your story with the host organization and home community capturing your experience. Not only will your friends and family appreciate learning about your experience, but you will always have a resource to look back on and fondly reflect on your year abroad.
Make lifelong friends.
What better way to make lifelong friends than by embarking on a life-changing journey together? Global Citizen Year's international volunteer opportunities give you that chance, and make sure you're ready for the road ahead. Before you leave, and during your nine months abroad, you'll find support and friendship from Fellows your age who are facing similar joys, challenges, and experiences.
To learn more about the Global Citizen Year experience, read some of the blogs posted by our Fellows. If you're ready to pursue a Fellowship with Global Citizen Year, take the first step and request more information.
Sources: Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201309/extended-travel-affects-personality