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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Global Citizen Year is building a new generation to lead the fight against global poverty. By engaging Fellows in a transformative bridge year of global engagement we ensure that students develop the civic savvy and global fluencies they need to approach college, their careers and their lives with perspective, purpose and passion.

Through an intensive, nine month program that maps to a school year, Fellows develop the critical knowledge, skills and perspectives for a life of engaged global citizenship.

High-Impact Program Cycle

Recruitment Each year we solicit student applications through networks of high schools, college counselors, youth development organizations and universities.  Our rigorous selection process identifies students with passion, potential and commitment. Once selected, Fellows defer college enrollment for one year in order to participate in the program.

Training Each fall, the Global Citizen Year experience begins when GCY Fellows come together from across the US for an intensive Training Institute facilitated by youth development experts and leading social entrepreneurs. The US-based training focuses on authentic leadership development and provides Fellows with an introduction to social innovation, global systems and sustainable development. Fellows then travel in teams to country posts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America where they receive state-of-the-art language and intercultural training, and meet with local leaders across the private, public and social sectors in preparation for their community placements.

International Apprenticeships Global Citizen Year Fellows spend six months living with a family in a rural community and supporting a local development project in education, public health, microfinance, appropriate technology or environmental conservation. Each week Fellows receive visits from their Team Leader, and each month teams come together to process and integrate their learning as a group.

Capstone Projects As a capstone to the year, Fellows return to their US hometowns to share their experiences with others through presentations at local schools, community exhibitions, fundraisers and by working with social media and other web 2.0 tools.

Alumni Network and Support As alumni move through college and beyond, Global Citizen Year will continue to nurture their involvement as social innovators. Alumni will have the opportunity to attend annual conferences and events designed to support their interest in development, and to connect them with internships, job opportunities and mentors across a variety of fields.

International Partnerships
Global Citizen Year works in partnership with NGOs around the world to design and implement our international training and apprenticeships. We carefully select partners who have extensive knowledge, networks and expertise in the countries and regions where they work and who share our commitment to safety and security and ensuring a high quality experience for our Fellows.