Student FAQ

About Global Citizen Year

What is the timeline for Global Citizen Year?

The Global Citizen Year Fellowship takes place between August and May of each year. While specific dates are subject to change with every program cycle, below is an example of the year’s breakdown:

• Summer after senior year: Summer Campaign and Onboarding
• Mid-August: 10-12 day Fall Training in California.
• September through early October: 5 weeks In-Country Training held in the host countries.
• October through April: In-country homestays and apprenticeships. During this time, Fellows will also convene regularly with their country cohort for Training Seminars.
• April: 5 day Re-Entry Training in the Bay Area, CA.
• End of April and Onward: Spring Events and transition to college.

What makes Global Citizen Year unique?

Although bridge year opportunities become more plentiful each year, Global Citizen Year stands apart for a number of reasons. Among these are our unmatched focus on the growth and personal development of each Fellow as well as our steadfast commitment to building a broader movement – and a powerful national corps of future leaders from diverse and varied backgrounds.

UNIQUE PROGRAM CYCLE

• Train
  One of the hallmarks of a Global Citizen Year is the unique emphasis on Fellows’ learning and growth that underlies the ongoing training curriculum. Fellows will receive intensive and comprehensive training before traveling, once they arrive in country, and throughout the course of their apprenticeships and homestays.
• Immerse
  Unlike traditional, short-term volunteer placements, Fellows will instead work in partnership with communities through a local apprenticeship. By living and working in a community for an extended period of time, Fellows have the unique opportunity to learn a language, form lasting relationships, and gain firsthand insight into the issues that shape their hosts’ lives.
• Support
  Throughout their apprenticeships, Fellows will receive support on the ground from their in-country staff and their cohort of Fellows. Carefully selected homestay families and local partners will also be guides and resources. On top of regular visits from their in-country staff, each month Fellows will gather together with staff to participate in on-going training seminars. These monthly seminars are designed to compliment, support, and amplify their learning in the field while also providing invaluable time for their country cohort to come together to process their experience.
• Connect & Lead
  As Fellows near the end of their Global Citizen Year, they will move into a Capstone Stage characterized by reflection, analysis, and outward expressions of their learning and growth. The Capstone Stage allows Fellows to share their experience with diverse groups, instilling in their audiences the power of global citizenship.

NETWORK

Once Fellows return home, they will join the dynamic Global Citizen Year alumni network. This community will provide them with support and resources throughout college and into careers.

ACCESS

Global Citizen Year is committed to ensuring that the program is accessible to all prospective Fellows, regardless of their ability to pay, and secures generous philanthropic contributions to cover the costs of students who would not otherwise be able to participate. To date, over 80% of our Fellows have benefitted from some level of financial assistance, including a third who have received fully funded Fellowships.

How much does Global Citizen Year cost?

All program fees for Global Citizen Year are determined on a sliding scale based on the ability of the Fellow and the Fellow’s family to contribute, and are capped at a tuition ceiling (see Costs and Funding for most recent figures). The tuition ceiling represents a percentage of the total operational cost of supporting each Fellow through the 10-month program; the remainder of this cost is borne by Global Citizen Year with backing from generous foundation and individual donors. This sliding scale model is designed to ensure that Global Citizen Year remains accessible to all selected Fellows, regardless of their financial circumstances, and that any available aid be allocated to participants for whom the experience would not otherwise be possible.

To date, over 80% of our Fellows have taken advantage of our generous financial aid packages, including a third who have received fully funded Fellowships. Aside from tuition, each fellow is responsible for all costs associated with passport and visa applications, vaccinations, or early withdrawal from the program.  All other costs, including domestic and international airfare, are assumed by Global Citizen Year.

All Fellows, regardless of their financial aid awards, are required to submit a $500 deposit upon acceptance into the program to be applied towards their total contribution, and are also required to participate in a Summer Campaign in the months preceding their departure. Read more about the Summer Campaign here.

Applying for Aid

To apply for aid, participants must submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to the federal government, which reviews applications and generates a SAR (Student Aid Report) in return. Using this SAR and additional information from parents or guardians (in recognition of the fact that the SAR is not always a comprehensive reflection of a family’s ability to contribute), Global Citizen Year will determine each participant’s financial aid package on a sliding scale and offer a financial aid package to meet the remainder of the program costs. Participants will be notified of financial aid packages before the deadline to commit to the program.

Why take a Global Citizen Year before starting college?

Immersive international experience at any age is powerful, but the period between high school and college offers a unique opportunity to gain skills, perspectives, and insights that will set you apart from the moment you arrive on campus and set you up for success in your studies, campus activities, and future career.

During your Global Citizen Year, you will be learning things like how to fertilize a macadamia farm,  what ethical issues to consider when photographing life in another country, how to dress for a Mayan wedding, and how best to roll down the side of a volcano.

Beyond cultural adventures like these, you’ll develop tools for understanding and critiquing complex global issues and amass a wealth of life experience before even setting foot on campus – not to mention proficiency in a new language without a single semester of college study. You’ll be empowered with a perspective, passion and sense of purpose that will prepare you to hit the ground running once you arrive on campus.

Admissions

What is a FAFSA, and how does it work?

The FAFSA is a free, government-issued application that all applicants requesting student aid must submit in the both the college and other related application processes.  Although Global Citizen Year applicants are not eligible for federal student aid nor can they apply 529 funds specifically towards this program, Global Citizen Year does use information from the FAFSA in making our own financial aid determinations.  The FAFSA is therefore a required application component for any student requesting financial assistance from Global Citizen Year.

To apply, families first fill out the FAFSA using the most current tax data available and submit this form to the government for review.  A link to the form can be found here and take approximately 2-3 weeks to process. so please take this into account when considering the application deadline.  Once your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which is essentially an official government confirmation of the financial circumstances you described in your FAFSA.

The most important information on the SAR is the Expected Family Contribution Number (EFC).  The EFC is not the amount of money that your family must provide. Rather, you should think of the EFC as an index that colleges use to determine how much financial aid you would need to receive if you were to attend their school.  Global Citizen Year uses this report in addition to information on Part 2 of the application as well as information provided during the Parent Conversation to create an aid package that meets your family’s specific financial needs.

Families should note that because Global Citizen Year is not an institution of higher education, we do not have a federal ID number to which the Student Aid Report can be forwarded directly.  Families will need to obtain their copy and submit it to Global Citizen Year themselves.  When receiving the SAR, families will automatically receive both an electronic copy and a paper copy of the report.  These can easily be sent to Global Citizen Year via mail or by attaching an e-copy to Part 2 of the application.

For more information visit the FAFSA website and FAQ page.

Are there health or medical requirements?

The Global Citizen Year experience includes conditions that will be physically and mentally demanding, requiring Fellows to be in good physical and mental health. All accepted Fellows are responsible for submitting completed health forms, signed by a physician and/or mental health professional, that completely and accurately represent the current physical and mental well-being of the Fellow. If you have any doubts as to your ability to pass a medical screening for physical and mental well-being, please contact us at applications@globalcitizenyear.org.

Additionally, all Fellows must provide proof of their own primary health insurance. Global Citizen Year offers a comprehensive emergency and evacuation insurance plan which can be used as both primary and secondary coverage in the event that the Fellow does not have adequate primary insurance.

Is it easy to defer college for a year?

Yes, it is easy to defer a year of college, and we believe it is well worth any effort it takes to do so.

Once you decide you would like to defer, you will often need to submit your reasons for doing so (in writing) to the dean of admission, along with a deposit.  If necessary, GCY would be glad to provide a formal letter detailing the program in which you will be participating once you have committed to becoming a Fellow. All of this must be taken care of by your college’s published deadline in order to secure a spot in the following year’s freshman class.  Of course, we also advise that you contact your college or university’s admissions office as soon as you can to see if they require any other steps to defer.

How do I apply for aid from Global Citizen Year?

To apply for aid, participants must submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to the federal government, which reviews applications and generates a SAR (Student Aid Report) in return. Using this SAR and additional information from parents or guardians (in recognition of the fact that the SAR is not always a comprehensive reflection of a family’s ability to contribute), Global Citizen Year will offer need-based financial aid packages on a sliding scale. Participants will be notified of financial aid packages before the deadline to commit to the program.

Will I lose my state, federal, or college financial aid?

Most merit- and need-based financial awards can be deferred, but policies vary among different schools and programs.  Please check with the provider of your financial aid package to determine whether your specific aid can be deferred.

Federal and State Financial Aid: If you decide to defer a year of college, you and your family will need to fill out a new FAFSA after January 1, 2012 in order to receive updated federal and state financial aid packages.

College Financial Aid: For college financial aid, it is best to contact your school’s financial aid office to learn about their specific policies and updated deadlines.  If your school asked that you complete a CSS PROFILE last fall, you will need to fill this out once again. The college might ask for an additional form specific to the school, so it is best to see if they would like you to fill this out once more as well.

Do colleges support a bridge year?

For the most part, yes. Each year, more and more colleges adopt policies to support the idea of a bridge year. Harvard, Princeton, and MIT are leading the way with formal policies to encourage students to take time off; Yale, Middlebury College, Amherst, Northwestern, UNC, and many others are following suit, noting that students who’ve taken a year outside the classroom return with more focus, maturity, and perspective, all of which make them better prepared to excel academically.  A recent study in the Journal of Educational Psychology supported these findings, highlighting increases in motivation and performance among students who had taken a gap year.

Most colleges allow deferrals through a straightforward and painless process – just ask the admissions office what you need to do, and if you run into any issues, Global Citizen Year staff is here to help.

In the meantime, check out the following articles for a better sense of how colleges feel about the growing gap year trend.

• “Want to Get Into Harvard – Take a Year Off” – CBS MoneyWatch
• “Taking Time Off” – Harvard College Admissions
• “Princeton Plans for an Early Year Abroad” – New York Times
• “Advice for the College-bound: Wait”  – Washington Post
• “A Cure for College-Bound Blues” – New York Times

What are the eligibility requirements?

Global Citizen Year is a 10-month program designed specifically for high school graduates who have not yet started college. We require that all Fellows:

• Are 18 years old by the program start date or submit additional parental releases
• Have a high school diploma, IB, or GED by the program start date
• Have not yet started full-time college coursework
• Are US Citizens or legal permanent residents
• Pass a basic medical screening
• Provide proof of appropriate insurance
• Obtain parent or guardian permission for participation, regardless of age.

In the Field

How will I be matched with an apprenticeship?

Once accepted, you will work with Global Citizen Year staff to outline your interests, skills, and aspirations for an apprenticeship placement, which will then be determined based on our your preferences and our partners’ needs. Apprenticeships range from assisting in public health clinics or hospitals of traditional medicine to learning to monitor the use of efficient cookstoves in rural communities. Whatever your particular placement, the apprenticeship is a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from experts and practitioners, to observe the inner workings of a local organization or community project, and, over time, to participate directly alongside hosts.

Multiple Fellows may be placed with the same apprenticeship host; in these cases, they will be assigned to different sectors of the host organization.

How much support will I have in the field?

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will receive support on the ground from your in-country staff and your cohort of Fellows. Carefully selected homestay families and project partners will also be guides and resources. On top of regular visits from your in-country staff, each month you will gather with your Fellows and staff to participate in on-going training seminars. These monthly seminars are designed to compliment, support, and amplify your learning in the field while also providing invaluable time for your country cohort to come together to process your experience.

How will I stay connected from the field?

• Each team of Fellows will be equipped with a laptop and Flip Video for blogging and media storage – these are the tools for Fellows to share their experiences with followers back home.
• All Fellows will be provided with also local cell phones and a basic coverage plan.
• The Global Citizen Year Fellows Blog will be your primary platform to share your reflections, videos, and photos.
• Your Global Citizen Year training will help you gain the skills to share your stories through media platforms, from your hometown paper to the New York Times.

Can Fellows apply (or re-apply) to college during their Global Citizen Year?

They can, but we encourage Fellows to cement their college plans before embarking on their Global Citizen Year for a number of reasons.   First among them is the difficulty associated with completing and submitting the necessary documents from afar: due to in-country conditions, including infrastructure challenges like frequent power outages as well as cultural norms like the value of communal time over independent work time, it is much more difficult to apply to college in-country than in the U.S.  In addition to logistical challenges, Fellows who need to complete college applications may find it harder to remain fully engaged in their Global Citizen Year experience and successfully complete all program requirements.

That said, if a Fellow does need to apply or re-apply, it is possible. Internet is available during the in-country orientation period and  in nearby cyber cafes in most community placements.  Each Fellow will also have access to a laptop during the apprenticeship (1 laptop for every 3 Fellows to share).

Fellows wishing to apply during their Global Citizen Year should ensure that all necessary paperwork (SATs, transcripts, medical forms, recommendations, etc.) is in order before departure for the host country.

Where are Global Citizen Year Fellows placed?

Global Citizen Year currently offers opportunities in Senegal, Brazil, and Ecuador through a network of carefully vetted international partners in those countries. In the 2013 program cycle, we plan to open an additional site in either India or China.

Regardless of country placements, a Global Citizen Year begins and ends in the U.S., with the bulk of the experience spent in one of our three host countries. Fellows receive their country assignments after the conclusion of the selection process.

Global Citizen Year applicants  apply to join our corps of Fellows and not to a specific field placement. Fellow preferences (gathered through a detailed survey and the interview process) weigh heavily in placement decisions, but our intimate understanding of the country context and our local partners’ needs require that other factors to be considered as well when making a final placement.  To read more about apprenticeships, please visit the Program section here and browse the Fellows’ Blog for recent examples.

How are homestay families selected?

In each country, Global Citizen Year staff work with local partners who have a deep knowledge of the families and communities into which Fellows are placed in order to identify, screen, and select homestay families. After a careful process involving nominations, interviews, and reference checks, we select families who demonstrate both the desire and the ability to provide rich experiences and support for each Fellow for the duration of their stay. These families take the responsibility of caring for another’s child very seriously, and work with Global Citizen Year to ensure that the experience is rewarding for all involved.

Once accepted, Fellows fill out a homestay questionnaire, which we combine with our familiarity of each family to make the best possible match.

Re-Entry and Beyond

How does Global Citizen Year help facilitate the transition home and to college?

At the end of your Global Citizen Year, you’ll come back to the states hardly knowing what to expect. Re-entry can be just as disorienting as your first encounter with a foreign culture (thus the term “reverse culture shock”), and it’s important to prepare for this adjustment.

During your final weeks in the field, you will begin to prepare for the challenges and opportunities associated with departing your new community and returning home. Your Re-Entry Transition begins in your final Monthly Seminar and continues with a week of Re-Entry Training in California upon your return, where you will join with your entire cohort and Global Citizen Year staff to lay the foundation for a successful transition home and, before long, to college.

What is the Capstone Stage?

As you near the end of your Global Citizen Year, you will move into a Capstone Stage characterized by reflection, analysis, and outward expressions of your learning and growth. The Capstone Stage begins in-country with a final presentation to your host organization and community encapsulating the work you have done and lessons you have learned during your time as an apprentice and member of the community. As part of your Capstone Stage, you will deliver a product or presentation that encapsulates your experience in the field and helps instill the power of global citizenship in your family, friends, and home community.

There are many ways you may choose to share your story once you are back home:

• Presenting at schools
• Organizing community events
• Hosting fundraisers
• Publishing stories through local media outlets
• Creating photos essays
• Producing short films
• You name it!