Giving Compass' Take:
- In this podcast, Abby Falik, founder of Global Citizen Year, discusses the significance of participating in a global service program that partners young people with international internships.
- How can donors help expand these programs for students to gain more expertise? COVID-19 has complicated global engagement for the moment. How can we connect throughout the pandemic and prepare for post-pandemic service?
- Explore how international corporations can help global education.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Abby Falik grew up with parents committed to traveling the world–and never the usual tourist traps. After high school, she wanted to get close to the issues she cared about but couldn’t get into the Peace Corps without a college degree. There just wasn’t a good option for a high school graduate to learn and serve abroad. Abby knew she’d have to fix that.
Ten years ago Abby started Global Citizen Year to expand access to life-changing global immersion experiences between high school and college. She knew these experiences were uniquely well suited to unlock courage, shape identity, and develop leadership and unlock courage.
Each year Global Citizen Year places about 150 learners in a 10-month international internship. They live with a local family and are part of a 10 student regional cohort.
The value of global experiences is more important than ever. Global Citizen Year is one option for young people. But parents, schools, and colleges can all do more to create valuable international learning experiences.
Read the full article about global service at Getting Smart.