Global Citizen Year is an immersive gap year abroad for bold high school grads who are hungry to experience the world and make an impact before college.
Request info to get detailed descriptions of our programs in Brazil, Ecuador, India, or Senegal.
GET A WORLD AHEAD
Make an Impact
Gain real-world experience in fields like environmental conversation, public health, education, agriculture, or social enterprise (just to name a few).
Learn a language
Build fluency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Hindi, Wolof, or other local languages.
Live with a Family
Experience a new culture through daily life with your host family – celebrate festivals together, learn to cook from your host mom, play pick up soccer with your siblings.
Make lifelong friends
Join a community of extraordinary young people like you from around the world. Forge lifelong friendships through shared adventures and trainings.
Maximize College
Arrive on campus refreshed, focused, and with the advantage of real-world experience.
EXPERIENCE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
A GLOBAL CITIZEN YEAR FELLOW
Fellow / Ecuador
— Anna del Savio
I work with a group of indigenous artisans that make fair trade jewelry.…
Fellow / Brazil
— Amari Leigh
After my community garden apprenticeship, I like to hang out at the local waterfall with my friends.…
Fellow / Brazil
— Basil Wiering
I often hail a rickshaw into various parts of the city to meet friends and practice street photography.…
Fellow / Brazil
— Fernanda Tornell
I've developed my public speaking skills and encouraged hundreds of people to take care of our planet.…
Fellow / India
— Luciana Ribeiro da Silva
I apprentice with Teach For India and also volunteer with a non-profit working to end child marriage.…
Fellow / Ecuador
— Noah Hapke
I co-teach English classes at the school in my community.…
Fellow / Brazil
— Sarah Murray
My apprenticeship is at a school for people with disabilities where I help to lead gardening, games, and capoeira.…
Fellow / India
— Alana Poole
In the afternoons, I often go on home visits to meet my students' families and understand where they come from.…