My name is Clare, I'm just a high school graduate with no direction and no idea what she likes.
Interest: Music, Photography, Animals.....at this point in my life i can't see myself having a career in these fields.
The Beginning:
I am lucky to have such a great mother who never forced me into the school fields, she gave me the opportunity to explore the world threw out my life. So when i was a Junior in High School and i was starting to think about what schools i would apply to, it dawns on me that all the schools that seem interesting to me require a high SAT Score. This was a probably as i didn't do so well on them.
So i sat down with my mother and had a discussion of what i was looking for in a school. and i had no clue as to what i wanted to do. I saw my sister at school and i had no desire to be back in school atmosphere, since High School years weren't great. She told me of another option that one of her clients, children had done, its was called a Gap Year program. This Program consisted of an alternative activity that has both educational and worldly adventures.
I did some research on the different kinds of "gap Year" programs that were avalible.
I was shocked to see that they were all over the world. so i decided to look in countries i was interested in. (i.e Australia, Africa, New Zeland) anything i could think of. i found a few that were interesting. such as zoo keeping and AIDS help.
My mom told me about a fair that was taking place in NY and it was similar to a college fair just designated towards Gap Year Programs. when inside the room I took every brochure available and looked each over to see what they did where they were going how long they stayed.
My mother being a chatter box (in the good way) she found a stand that said Global Routes. she asked where they were going and what they did just like me. She heard what they had to say and the next thing i know, my mom is pulling me over to the table so that i can talk to them.
Im always reluctant to do things that my mother recommends for me cause some of the time it sounds all good but when i dig deeper its not what i want, so i followed her to the table hesitantly. the people i was talking to at the time were very welcoming, and were curious as to why i was going to do a gap year. I explained that my mother had the idea for me and i had to agree with her then that taking the year off to travel or experience new things would be good, to not e studying and not relax but be adventurous. They then explained to me the countries they offered and what each program did.
Internship as a Teacher. that was the program that was available, for my age group and length. I was excited! I would be a teacher with students helping them better there education. i was excited. the next step was for me to fill out the application and choose my country. i had two choices. Thailand, Africa out of the four that i was interested in the other two were Peru and another i cant remember.
Thialand, i had never been but it interest me the religon and the life style.
Tanzania, Africa i have wanted to go for many reasons. but i wasn't sure if i was ready to go. I saw Africa with sad eyes in my head. i wasn't sure if i was ready to see sad eyes for three months.
my first choice was Thailand and my second was Africa. i sent the application in and waited.
2 weeks later i get a phone call from the company saying that they recieved my application and were excited to have an interview. Next they asked if i was ok to be transferd to Africa instead of Thialand. they didn't have enough spots filled in on the Thailand program so we all changed over to Africa. This was a shock to my system, because i had just finished reading books on Thailand and was all excited, and it was 2 months till i left so i had to re adjust and fast.
I agreed to the interview and to the change of Thailand to Africa. I was then on the road to the company headquarters to meet with a person to be interviewed and made sure i was a good candidate for the program. They asked me again why a gap year and once again i explained to them tha ti wasnted a break from studying but not a vacation. Then we had a discussion about hte way the program was run, from week one to three months later when i woul dbe returning. I Understood the way they layed it out and why it was a good way, it gave us the interns a chance to get to know one another and get use to the lifestyle that we would be living and work on our Swahili and teaching skills.
The Program:
In-Country Orientation (First Week)
You meet your leader along with your fellow teachers upon arrival in the host country and spend your first week together delving into the local culture and landscape through excursions, language classes, cross-cultural training and teaching workshops. While exploring the natural and cultural wonders of your surroundings, your time is simultaneously spent preparing for life in your host community: you design your first lesson plans, practice teaching, brush up on the local language and customs and discuss strategies to help you acclimate to rural village life in another culture. This practical preparation for teaching and thorough introduction to the country align to create the perfect foundation for your experience ahead.
Teaching Placement & Homestay (6 Weeks, summer program; 10 Weeks, fall and spring programs)
This is the heart of your experience. For the majority of your program you live in a rural village with one other intern and teach in the community’s primary or secondary school. Taking on your own classes, you may teach English, math, science, or environmental education. You may also coach sports, tutor, or lead art and music workshops. During this time you live with a host family, joining them in meals, chores, and simple time of leisure. While your primary responsibility is teaching, we ask all interns to initiate an Independent Project. These projects may take on many different forms: building a library or playground for your school, facilitating health education workshops, painting a world map, organizing an after-school program, starting a reforestation project or initiating a recycling program. What you choose to do is dependent upon the needs of your local community as well as your own interests. This is a wonderful opportunity to extend yourself outside of the school environment in a unique and meaningful way. Some weekends are spent with your leader and fellow interns, sharing challenges and successes, collaborating on projects together or venturing out on a fun excursion. Others are enjoyed in your community, going to the market, traveling to nearby festivals, working on your Independent Project or simply relaxing at home with your host family.
Travel Adventures (Final Week)
A final week of travel enables your group to explore places within your host country of great natural beauty and cultural significance. Here, you and your group begin to consider the joys and challenges of coming home. This provides valuable time for you to reflect on your experiences and prepare for your return while celebrating your great contributions and discoveries.
After the Interview was over i got a informal acceptance to the program! i was thrilled! Africa got more appealing day after day!
Packing:
3 weeks later i had to start getting things together because i had just gotten the packet of information that was atleast a good 30 pages long! i was intimidated.
so here i am after getting my visa and international insurance and teacher clothes and regualar clothes and learning my Swahili, and the fundraising! that took a while. I am here! a week away from my departure to Tanzania Africa.
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