Category Archives: Gap Year Fellows

When I look back at my gap year experience, I often think of one person who I met for just one night. On a late night in San Juan, a couple friends and I were walking on the beach when we found a group of people having a bonfire. The group of people greeted usContinue reading “The Reality of Travelling”

This month we will be talking about a time we were brave, a time we were kind, a time we failed, and how we bounced back. The bravest thing I have done so far happened while I was in Costa Rica, walking with two researchers trying to find places to put camera traps in theContinue reading “January Blog: Trials and Tribulations”

Thus far, my gap year has led me out of my comfort zone in many aspects. From pursuing what I thought other people wanted for me, to learning more about my passion and turning it into a career. I’ve been brave in my gap year by making the choice to venture into an area IContinue reading “Reflecting on My Experiences”

In order to achieve my goals, I have been tackling my NASM course as soon as I wake up in the morning. I don’t even touch my phone or entertain any other thought. This has allowed me to get into the habit of putting all of my focus on one thing, no matter how earlyContinue reading “Getting real with my progress”

Despite feeling on top of the world after graduating, and as if I could get through anything if I could survive high school, I feel much more resilient now. Living on my own as an independent for the first time has presented me with more challenges than I could have ever imagine, but I’ve neverContinue reading “November Reflection on Graduation”

Life is full of surprises. We think ourselves to be smart and adaptable, but we can’t predict everything. One thing I definitely didn’t anticipate about my independent life is how much of a chore it is to simply feed yourself. I’m not one to meal prep, and I definitely don’t have the energy or theContinue reading “Surprise Surprise!!!”

Moving away from home is all I’ve ever dreamed of and more, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Developing a routine has definitely helped, though. My day begins at 7:45am to the tune of my shrill alarm, to which I promptly snooze untiI 8:20. I begrudgingly remove myself from the sacred encapsulation of myContinue reading “My Day to Day, Chicago Style”

Strangely I feel as though I am doing very well with achieving my goals. I take a Hebrew class every day so that I can feel my vocabulary growing much faster than when I have tried to learn Hebrew in the past. I also get the advantage of living in a country full of peopleContinue reading “Goals”

Back in high school I was a very arrogant student and child. My constant response to most requests or assignments was a sigh or rejection. I viewed myself as a very stubborn but typically correct person, at least in the way I approached life. Meaning I was sure about my stance on religion, my dailyContinue reading “High School Self”

After the semester in Jerusalem, I am reflecting on my goals. I am almost at the end of my fourth month in Israel, and am mostly happy with where I am in terms of accpomplishing my goals.  As for learning Hebrew, I have been attending my classes and working through a workbook. One thing IContinue reading “December: Reevaluating My Goals”