11 Virtual Fundraising Ideas

Posted by Up with People on April 14, 2020 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

People all over the world are looking for new ways to connect with one another in a virtual way. As you prepare for your gap year traveling in Up with People, it’s time to start thinking outside of the box to help you raise money. Online fundraisers allow you to be creative and innovative with your fundraising tactics. As one of the more popular ways to help you raise funds for your travel program in Up with People, here are some ideas to help get you started. Host a virtual concert, performance, or talent show with a link to a …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

5 Tips When Staying With A Host Family

Posted by Up with People on November 20, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Living with a host family while studying abroad or taking a gap year can offer unique benefits and opportunities for personal connection during your travels around the world. From learning about different cultures to trying new foods, it’s all about being involved in someone else’s day-to-day life. It might sound intimidating at first, mostly because we‘re so used to the comfort of sticking to our own routines. However, you’ll miss out on the chance to know what it’s like to have Sunday brunch in Germany or slow down your pace to experience the Italian way of life if you stick …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad, Host Family

Meet the Cast Monday: Alice from Belgium

Posted by Up with People on November 4, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Alice is an Up with People cast member, originally from Lebanon and now lives in Brussels, Belgium. See what life is like for Alice on the road during her gap year abroad! Why did you decide to travel in Up with People? “I decide to travel in Up With People because it is really important for me to learn a new language after high school. I also feel it’s important to learn English in an artistic form, not through books. It’s really amazing to learn the language while learning about the arts at the same time. What was arrival day in Italy like for you? …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad, Meet the Cast

FAQ – A Gap Semester in Up with People

Posted by Up with People on [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

With the January 2020 tour coming up in just a few short months, we have received many questions from people who want to travel. Thanks to our amazing team of admissions advisors, we have worked together to provide answers and resources for some of our most frequently asked questions by new applicants. What type of volunteer work will we do? Up with People’s travel program offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities to students who travel from 6 months to a year. From various projects with Habitat for Humanity, senior housing centers, local schools, and other nonprofit organizations, we encourage …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

Benefits of a Gap Year According to Harvard

Posted by Up with People on October 18, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

The 383-year-old Ivy League institution of Harvard has enrolled some of the world’s most prestigious students, including Malia Obama and Chelsea Clinton. What do these two women have in common? Aside from being the daughters of former United States Presidents, both of these women also have taken a gap year. We’ve seen a dramatic change in the way young adults pursue their higher education. More and more students are taking a semester off from college to travel and explore other options available to them. Up with People has been providing a gap year program for students since 1965, in hopes …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

The Power of Your Voice

Posted by Up with People on September 20, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Your voice is a powerful tool. Up with People, teaches young adults as they travel throughout their gap year to find ways to use their voice to positively impact the world. Incredible people throughout history have used their voices to create change. Maya Angelou was a poet and an activist who used her voice in support of the Civil Rights Movement. Jazz Jennings is a teenager who got her claim to fame by becoming an American YouTube personality as an LGBT rights activist and a transgender woman.  The misconception is that you don’t have to be famous or have a …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

My Host Family Experience in Up with People

Posted by Up with People on September 4, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

In 1987, 22-year-old Rich Calabrese traveled as a cast member in Up with People. During his time on the road, he stayed with a host family in Hamme, Belgium during their European tour. This is where he met the VanHoof family who was once his host family and has now become a part of his life-long, chosen ‘family.’ We wanted to find out about his experience staying with his host family, and how he still manages to keep in touch with them after all of these years. What was your initial meeting experience like with your host family? “Very pleasant. …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

5 Fundraising Ideas on a Budget

Posted by Up with People on August 30, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

In the words of John Denver, “All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go.” With all of the excitement for starting your gap year traveling abroad, there may be a part missing within the big picture. How will you afford to travel? While there are  many scholarship and grant opportunities available, they  may not cover your entire cost as well as some of your day-to-day expenses. Instead of spending a ton of money on fundraising, here are some inexpensive and budget-friendly ideas to help you raise the money you need to fund your semester off from college. 1. Peer-to-Peer …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

Part 1: A Year Abroad with Ivy

Posted by Up with People on August 21, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

What’s it like to be a traveler in Up with People? Ivy from Texas gave a testimonial about her gap year traveling in Up with People. As a participant in the Study Abroad program, Ivy talks about not only the knowledge she gained from her teacher, but also about the personal growth she experienced during her time abroad. Ivy from Texas   As a traveler, what was the reason behind choosing Up with People as your Study Abroad program? “I grew up hearing about Up with People from some of my cousins who are alumni of the program. It instantly …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad

Ways To Keep in Touch While Traveling Abroad

Posted by Up with People on June 28, 2019 [supsystic-social-sharing id=’1′ style=’color:#ffffff !important’]

Making the decision to travel abroad for a year is one of the most exciting choices in your life. However, as you travel, you may begin to lose touch with the people back home that matter most to you. But don’t worry! We’re here with some tips on how to keep in contact while traveling abroad so that you can stay in touch with your friends and family. This information will also make your parents feel more at ease, knowing that they can communicate with you regularly throughout your journey. Choose the right cell phone and plan Your mobile device …

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Topics: Gap Year Abroad