Alex M. 2014 Fellow
“I did volunteer work in Cape Town South Africa, Nusa Penida Indonesia, and Nosy Komba Madagascar while engaging in a personal writing project that includes profiles of 39 local people from the countries I visited on my trip. My volunteer work included turtle and marine conservation and an after school surf outreach program for South African children from impoverished backgrounds. At Columbia University, I am still undecided about my major but am considering studying political science. My gap year was an opportunity for me to independently create a version of a life I think I may like to have in the future, journaling my travels and interviewing locals while accustoming myself to their culture. Really, I see very few reasons not to take a gap year if one has the funds as it is a rare chance to do just about anything for a year at a time in life that is crucial for exploring oneself.”