Skip to main content
Emailinfo@upwithpeople.org
Phone numbers+1 877 264 8856 +1 303 460 7100

Blog Archives

The Power of Travel: Creating Global Citizens

Up with People dance captain on boys shoulders posing for picture in MexicoYou hear people say all the time, “I love to travel.” Unfortunately, a large majority of American citizens don’t travel far outside of their country or even their state. With an average of ten days of paid time off each year for U.S. workers, it doesn’t allow for individuals to expand their horizons and explore new cultures.

In contrast, every country in Europe is required by law to offer at least four weeks of paid time off to their employees. It is also customary for students in European countries to take a gap year before heading off to university to finish their education and begin their career.

Traveling can be an impactful and transformational experience for anyone, and it’s never too early to start! Up with People’s President and CEO, Dale Penny, shared his thoughts on the recent global issues and how he believes that through developing trust and mutual respect, we can bridge the divisions that separates so many countries around the world.

So how can traveling create global citizens?

1. The power of humility

As you visit new countries and experience different cultures, you’ll also face challenges, fears and insecurities you may not have encountered before. You’ll experience the daily life of locals in their own communities and any preconceived notions or judgments you might have of the culture will be erased. When you travel, you become the minority and the outsider as you enter into a new country. You learn to speak less and listen more. There is the silencing of internalized assumptions and stereotypes you might have about other people. You learn to accept people as they are and, with a great sense of humility, you might learn that your initial judgements are not always correct.

2. Learning new languages

There are over 7,000 different languages throughout the world. That means billions of people are communicating in various ways that others can not understand. By learning a new language, you are stepping into a world that is completely different from your own. You become part of the conversation instead of a bystander. Learning a new language is also a way to show respect for the culture of that country. You can’t expect everyone you meet in life to speak English, Spanish or Mandarin. If they are willing to try, you should too!

3. Questioning your own beliefs

Everything that has made you who you are as a person until this point will be challenged and as you travel and step outside of your comfort zone. This is a good thing! As humans, we are constantly changing, learning, and growing. It’s unlikely that you’ll be the same person at 35 that you were at 15. Those who identify as global citizens have usually discovered new things about themselves at some point during their travels that change their personal views and beliefs. How can we bridge the divide if we are not able to consider the ideas and beliefs of other cultures? The least we can do is to try and understand, and along the way, you may find yourself changing immensely in ways you would not have thought possible.

two girls from Up with People in the Colorado winter with their backs facing the camera

4. People are no longer chapters in history books

When you travel, you will have first hand experiences in new, exciting and sometimes scary places. At the same time, you are also meeting new faces each and every day. The people you come in contact with won’t be the same as the people in your own community back home. Peruvians from the Inca Tribes will no longer be a part of your history book as you spend time in Cusco, Peru and meet natives along the street. Mexicans will now have tangible memories associated with them as people, just like you and I, because you had the chance to shake their hands, share a meal, or walk the streets of their cities with them.

5. Your ability to adapt

Traveling abroad involves constant change. It isn’t your typical daily routine or your usual nine to five work day. Just like in the workplace, you’ll learn to adapt to the inevitable hiccups and last-minute changes to your plans along the way. And while in the moment they may seem like frustrating road blocks, they are actually opportunities to teach yourself patience, flexibility and adaptability. These are life lessons that you can take beyond your days of traveling and into your everyday personal and professional life.

The experience of travel is unlike any other experience you’ll have in your lifetime. If you feel that you don’t have the time or ability to travel, put away your excuses and start making it a true possibility for yourself. The more people allow themselves the opportunity to experience a world outside of their own, the closer we will all be to a more hopeful, trusting and peaceful world.

“If I was lookin’ through your eyes,
I wonder what I’d see.
Would I see your good and your bad?
Would I taste the sweet and the sad?
And would I understand you better
If I could see what you see?”

Someone Else’s Eyes © Up with People

How To Talk To Your Parents About Taking A Semester Off

Gap year students taking a selfie For most young people, there are a series of steps you follow throughout your educational career. Middle school leads to high school, high school leads to college or vocational school and so on. But what if you have something different in mind? What if you want to take a semester off to travel or participate in a study abroad program? What if you want to gain life experience through traveling, volunteering, or participating in cultural exchange before continuing on with your formal education?

A gap year or even a semester off from college is a great way to do that. Many gap year and semester abroad programs provide opportunities for experiential learning through cultural immersion which can expand your horizons to new possibilities you may never have considered!

Then it comes down to talking to your parents. Telling them that you want to take a semester or a year off can seem daunting. Maybe you’re afraid that they’ll be disappointed, or you’re worried that they’ll respond by telling you all the reasons why you shouldn’t go. And we get it! Many of our office staff at Up with People are parents and can understand your hesitation, which is why we’re providing some insight into the best approach for sharing your plans with your parents.

Share details about the program

The first thing you’ll want to do is narrow down your selection and identify one particular program that you’d really like to travel with. In a conversation with your parents, be prepared to explain exactly what you want to do, where you’ll be going, how much it will cost and other various details.

Parents just want to be kept in the loop, so if you can provide them with specific details, they’ll feel more confident about supporting you and your choice. While it’s important to make your own decisions and figure out how to overcome obstacles on your own, your parents will be more willing to offer their support if you continue to update them throughout your planning process and journey. Be sure to include them in the process. Trust us, they’ll appreciate it!

Explain the benefits

Did you know that many colleges, including Ivy League schools like Harvard, are now much more accepting of people who have taken a gap year? 60% of students in a recent study conducted by the Year Out Group said a gap year helped them decide what subject to study at university. The same study found that 66% of students took their academic work more seriously after taking a year off to travel.

There are so many benefits to experiential learning. Initially, your parents may only hear that you want to take some time off from your core responsibilities, so it’s important to help them understand the benefits of your program.

For those who aren’t sure which career path to take or what to study, talk to your parents about using this time to explore new interests and options. It will expand your horizons to experience other cultures and meet new people that you would not have been exposed to otherwise.

If you do know what you plan to do in your education or your career, tell your parents that this is an opportunity for you to grow your knowledge and experiences through volunteering abroad, and that you will return with new skill sets when you re-enter college or begin for the first time.

Let your parents know you plan on returning to college

If we didn’t mention this before, make it clear to your parents that you do in fact plan on returning to college after taking some time off. Knowing that it will be a six- to twelve-month venture will ease their minds because they can count on your return.

Traveling overseas is also an incredible way to help you be more mindful in your approach to your education. You’ll know more about what you want to gain out of college and you’ll have new skills to apply back into your education.

Study abroad students volunteering in North America

Show them that you are ready to be independent

As an 18-year-old finishing high school or a college-aged student, your parents will always view you as their child. Show your parents that finding your independence as a young adult is important for your personal and professional growth.

Want to really show your parents you are serious about becoming independent? Let them know that you plan on contributing financially towards your program fees. This will show your commitment to your choice as well as a level of maturity your parents will be grateful to see.

Acknowledge their concerns, they’re valid too

At the end of the day, they’re still your parents and you’re still their kid that they have raised since day one. They have every right to be nervous as you choose to leave school or even the country to pursue an avenue that may be completely foreign to them.

That is perfectly okay. Show your parents the program’s safety precautions as well as any outside safety research you have done along the way. Create a plan to help ease their minds when it comes to communicating with you throughout your journey. Whether it’s through social media, texting, phone apps or any other means, give your parents a few options with a plan of action ready for them while you travel.

Prepare to discuss financial aid options

Don’t forget to fill them in on the financial aid, scholarships, grants and fundraising options that are available to you. It’s important that you express to them the true cost of the program, how you plan on affording it and how much help you will realistically need from them. Remember,  if you are planning to contribute to the program, add that to your case.

Be excited and enthusiastic

Do you want to travel around the world? Do you want to get out of the town you have lived in for your whole life and experience new cultures? Now is the time to get excited!

Express to your parents your enthusiasm and excitement for this opportunity. These kinds of emotions are contagious. This could be the piece of the puzzle that pushes them over the edge to accepting and supporting you and your decision to take time off to travel.

Make your gap year sound as exciting and meaningful as possible to make them wish they had taken one themselves!

Get To Talking

Now you have some tools to use when it comes to having the conversation with your parents. Do your research and plan ahead before sitting them down. Don’t forget that they are still your parents and will love you no matter what. They only want what is best for you, so show them that this option is what is best for you.

“Each time we reach out beyond our knowing
Each time that we overcome
Or breach the limits of our love
We leave dreams for our little ones”

The Further We Reach Out © Up with People

Cast of Up with People Wraps Up Spring, 2019 Tour

Gap year students in the Up with People program performing in MexicoIt has been an exciting time for the cast of Up with People. From Denver, Colorado in the United States, all the way to Skive, Denmark, this group of over 100 young adults from around the world have helped spread the mission of Up with People to several communities throughout North America and Europe.

How Up with People Has Impacted the World

As we wrap up their Spring, 2019 tour, we wanted to share with all of you what our cast has accomplished in these last few months.

  • Shows Performed: 34
  • Volunteer Sites: 132
  • Volunteer Hours: 7,476
  • Host Families: 582
  • Communities Impacted: 16
  • Youth Impacted: 15,356
  • Amount Raised for External Beneficiaries: Over $334,000

What Has Your Up with People Experience Been Like?

Want to hear from the cast? See what students have expressed as being some of the most pivotal parts of their journey while traveling and volunteering overseas.

“The thing I will miss the most about Up with People is the energy backstage right before a show. I love how everyone is getting ready and supporting each other before the music starts!” – Leonor from France

“I think that by participating in the Study Abroad program, it has brought an entirely new perspective to my experience in Up with People. The topics that we studied were so relevant, not just to the program, but to the world around us. Being able to apply them to your everyday life makes them so much more real. You really get to understand the reasoning behind what Up with People does as an organization.” – Bela from Maryland

“I decided to join and do a second semester for wanting to gain personal growth. I was so happy with how last semester went, and I felt like I had made so many really great connections. It opened my mind to so many things, and I felt like I finally knew how to express my voice in the ways that I wanted to and share what I was passionate about in constructive ways. I felt that doing a second semester, would solidify all the benefits that I’ve gotten from my first semester as a person.” – Katelyn from Canada

Cast of Up with People saying goodbye at the end of their gap year program

“I can’t explain to you what I just lived. This semester went by so fast and I think I still need time to digest. We were always busy doing amazing things everyday: rehearsing, community service, performing, participating and leading workshops, discovering new communities, countries, cultures and people from around the world. We met so many interesting people from all over that didn’t care where I was from or what my social status was.

I traveled with the cast for a semester and our host families opened up their homes and hearts to us. They always treated me with love and respect, just like a real family member. I now have a lot of new friends from many different countries. I know that, whether or not I see these people again, they will always have a special place in me. What we experienced together made us grow and understand our planet and our lives better.” – David from Mexico

“My year in Up with People has been an incredible space for me to find myself and the world at the same time. I can’t imagine a world where I’m not surrounded by so many cultures every single day and I’m sad to leave, but I know it’s time to take what I’ve learned into the world and I can’t wait to see what’s waiting out there for me to discover next!” – Ivy from Texas

Thank you to every host family, alumni, sponsor, donor, venue, meal & transportation contributor, parent and individual who has worked so hard to make this tour a success. We could not have done this without you. You have made an incredible difference in not only these communities we have visited, but the youth who have participated in the program.

“Journey on, Journey on
You can’t stay where you are for very long.
Don’t give up, find the strength you need to journey on.
‘cause in the end, it’s not just where we go,
But how we get there and who we’ve known
On this long walk, together we will journey on.”

Journey On © Up with People

Up with People Guest Post: Liam from Pennsylvania

Liam is a year long cast member in Up with People. As he wraps up his semester traveling and volunteering around the world, he graciously shared his experience of his time volunteering in a juvenile detention center in Mexico.

 

Liam from Pennsylvania travels in Up with People

“The air was stale and heavy, like chewing overcooked chicken; it took all the moisture out of my body. The sun scorched the arid dirt in San Luis Potosi. We pulled up to the looming gray gates where two armed guards met the van. Our driver and the guard spoke in Spanish, but there was an ever slight hesitation and defensiveness in both their voices. We passed through the security checkpoints, leaving all metal, electronics and accessories behind with the pat-downs. The anticipated relief of being inside never came. As we started to setup our workshop, twelve boys walked into the room. They were tall and short, heavy and thin, but all of them were smiling. I was awestruck . How could these boys, who were all my age, be smiling? They were confined to this four-walled hell for committing felonies – murder, kidnapping, rape. Yet, they smiled and laughed.

During our workshop, we asked them questions about their values, their ideas on leadership, and had them share with the group their own philosophies. The answers that tumbled from their mouths could have come from my classmates or me, yet my gut told me that their tan skin, midnight-colored hair and MS-13 tattoos made them different from me. Together we ate fresh tacos on dirty plastic plates for lunch, all under the menacing eyes of “the eagles” who paced in the corners holstering their guns. Then, on coarse beige concrete in torrid heat, we played soccer for hours. When the time came to leave, I choked back tears for their lonely walk into their barracks, while they still laughed and smiled.

What moved me about volunteering in a juvenile detention center in Mexico was not the similarities between the prisoners and me. I have done enough traveling to know that some things about being a teenage boy are universal. It was their happiness; the stained-toothed smiles that crept out every time I tried to speak Spanish, or attempted (unsuccessfully) to show off my soccer skills.

I was befuddled. These boys laughed and joked, as if they were free men. Born into underprivileged households, their childhood circumstances funneled them into a life of crime. Yet their anger was not directed at the Universe or God, as I know mine would be. They counted their blessings, and despite their situation, found happiness getting out of bed everyday. The hope and determination they had to regain control of their lives was viscerally inspiring. It was a hope that grew in the most hostile environment, but back home among my friends and privilege, it was dying.

Up with People has given me a unique opportunity to travel the world and do service. More importantly, it gave me the chance to discover my passions, something I aimlessly searched for in high school. In school, the cynicism and passiveness of my generation always vexed me. At what moment did we stop caring? At what moment did the 14 year-old child being married off, or worked 60 hours a week, or told to kill a rival gang member become “not my problem”? At what moment did we start losing our humanity?

Gap year student in Up with People visits the ruins in Mexico

I had never met up close those cast out by society and certainly never expected so much joy and happiness from them. Instead I chose a life of blissful naivety behind the prismatic shield of a classroom. This past year I learned something new. The hope that thrives around the world grows springing up like a sapling after a forest fire; it has beaten the cynic in me.  I see that change is possible and that hope can be contagious. Not the hokey version that exists in waiting and praying; but hope that through action, I can make the world a better place for my fellow human.

I have a goal in returning to school for an education: to prove to my generation that retweets, “likes” and simple awareness are not enough. Hope is active, and I must tirelessly persist for a more civil, equal and peaceful world. I plan to pursue my education in conjunction with social work and policy advocacy, unleashing my passion to affect the change we need.”

–Liam Broderick

 

“But if I keep maybein’ I’m sayin’ I just don’t care
The middle of the road will get me nowhere
Time to make a choice, time to raise my voice
The lesser of two evils doesn’t go there”

Maybe I © Up with People

22 Scholarships & Grants for Your Semester Off from College

Group of young women in the cast of Up with PeopleTaking a semester off to travel, volunteer and perform in Up with People is an extremely exciting time in a person’s life. Getting ready to hop on a plane to a new destination where you will impact people from different countries all over the world is priceless.

However, any gap year program will come at a cost. The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for financial aid, grants and scholarships to help pay for your travels.

We recently shared a post for parents who are looking to help save money on our study abroad program through tax forms and savings accounts. You can get full details here.

Tax deductions on educational tuition is just one way to help slim the costs down. Students and potential cast members can apply for dedicated scholarships and grants directly through Up with People. In fact, thanks to the generosity of our many donors, we are able to give students 22 different means of financial aid for the Up with People On Tour program throughout the year.

Dedicated Scholarships

Below is a full list of potential dedicated scholarships that are available at different times throughout the year. Because these scholarships fluctuate each semester, you’ll want to get in touch with one of our Admissions Advisors first. They will help guide you through our application process and see which scholarships are available during the semester you are applying for.

  • Anna Ftorek Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Bill Busche Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Bill Holmes Legacy Scholarship Fund
  • Cast E 1981 Global Citizenship Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Cast E 1988 Legacy Fund
  • Diana Mynes Allen Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Dorte “Dee” Ronne and Deborah De Vlam Memorial Scholarship
  • F James McDonald Family Foundation Scholarship Fund
  • Gaby Bedolla Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Jan Abraham Kane Scholarship Fund
  • Jerry and Martha Jarrett Scholarship Fund
  • Kenny Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Marc Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Makan Diarra Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Paul Whitaker Scholarship Fund
  • UWPIAA Endowed Scholarship Fund

Young women from cast of Up with People in MexicoUp with People Scholarships

The best part about a scholarship is that it acts like free money. It is received based upon certain merit or financial criteria and there is no obligation to pay it back. Merit can be considered as individuals who are excelling in performing arts, leadership, diversity or a uniqueness the applicant has that would enhance the cast experience.

General Up with People Scholarships are available to any cast member who has already been accepted into the Up with People On Tour program in need of financial support. You can find a full list of scholarship details here along with application requirements.

Applications for all scholarships for the Up with People On Tour program are a one-stop-shop application. Once your application is complete, it is brought to our Scholarship Committee and is awarded to the person that best fits the criteria of each scholarship.

Up with People Grants

Grants are very similar to scholarships. They are also a means of ‘gift aid,’ which essentially is money that does not need to be repaid. The main difference is while a scholarship is usually primarily based on merit, grants are based upon either merit or the financial need of the applicant.

Program grants offered by Up with People are available to all incoming cast members who are registered to travel. These options have more specific criteria for applicants in order to assist those from other countries and regions that may have a more difficult time financially affording the program. You can speak with one of our Admissions Counselors by emailing travel@upwithpeople.org for more details.

  • African American
  • Native American
  • Latin American
  • African Nations
  • Kosovo Citizen

There are plenty of other ways to afford traveling in the Up with People program. Through reaching out to your social media networks, heading up a local fundraiser or getting a second job, there is always a way to make your dream a reality. If you are interested in learning more about fundraising opportunities, you can download our free fundraising resource guide online.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship or grant, please contact travel@upwithpeople.org.

 

You know that each of us
Has a song to sing, a story to tell, now.
Come on and share your heart,
Invite the world to sing along, come on now

Sing Your Song © Up with People

Travel Abroad in Up with People – Now Accepting Applications!

Young girl from Finland is hugged by children at an elementary school volunteering abroadFrom hiking the mountains of Colorado to eating the delicious chocolate in Belgium, the cast of Up with People is making their way throughout the world working hard to keep hope alive. The cast has met many amazing people and has volunteered hundreds of hours along the way. It’s hard to believe that the tour is almost halfway over!

It doesn’t stop there. Up with People tours twice a year throughout different parts of the world, and we’re excited to share with all of you that we are now accepting applications! If you are interested in taking a semester off to travel after high school, you’ll find a fun and unique experience through the Up with People program.

What Are the Qualifications to Travel in Up with People?

We believe that the youth of our world have powerful voices that deserve to be heard. This is why we accept candidates who fit the following qualifications:

  • Be open-minded
  • Be service-oriented
  • Be adaptable
  • Have an Interest in Performing Arts
  • Embrace diversity
  • Maintain a strong work ethic
  • Are in good mental and physical condition

There is so much that goes on to put on an international show, especially because it’s not the only thing our cast does throughout the week. From community service projects to leadership and personal-development workshops, these individuals are growing in ways that go beyond the stage.

Up with People gap year students perform an international show in Denver, COHow to Apply

So you’re ready to apply and we couldn’t be happier! The process is very simple and only requires two steps. First, visit www.upwithpeople.org/apply to start your online application. It only takes about twenty minutes to complete.

Once your online application is complete, a member of the Up with People Admissions Team will contact you to schedule a 25-45 minute interview. Don’t worry, living near one of our international offices is not a requirement for completing the interview process. It can be done over the phone or through video chat. If you still have questions regarding the application process, visit our FAQ page to get more details or contact us directly at info@upwithpeople.org.

Earn Academic Credit

As an extension to our program, Up with People also offers an optional academic program for students on tour. You will have the chance to earn twelve university credits throughout the tour thanks to our partnership with Florida Southern College (FSC). If you are interested in our study abroad program, a full list of requirements are listed on the program page.

Whether you want to start traveling in July of 2019 or will be graduating in the summer of 2020, we are now accepting applications throughout our fall tour of 2020! If you or someone you know is interested, share this amazing news with them! This life-changing experience will show you the world through an entirely new perspective.

“I felt that I grew so much as a person my first semester in Up with People,” said Andree, a second semester cast member in Up with People. “I learned so much about myself and how I work as a person. I just found that I wasn’t ready yet to go back home. I felt that I needed more time to explore what I’ve started to explore already.”

Here are more stories from new and returning cast members in Up with People!

 

Life was knocking at his door, sayin’
Open up to so much more
Raise your hand, Take a stand
Come on and see
The truth should set you free
Who will you be?

Who Will You Be? © Up with People

5 Steps to Planning Your Gap Year Abroad

Experiencing a gap year is more than just taking a few months off to travel. Sure, that can be a great benefit of a gap year, but it isn’t the whole story. We’ve decided to help you out just like we have helped thousands of other youths around the world with five steps to start planning your ultimate gap year abroad.

  1. What do you want to get out of your gap year?

This is the most crucial part of planning your time off from school or work. Each person’s answer will be different. Some people want to volunteer in other countries while others are looking to expand their knowledge of different cultures around the world. Up with People previously wrote a blog to help give you some guidance on making the most out of your gap year experience that may provide inspiration in discovering your ‘why.’ Many colleges allow you to defer admission up to one year, although there is the possibility you’ll need to apply again. This will vary based on different colleges. Make sure to talk to your advisor throughout your gap year planning process.

  1. Decide where you can achieve those goals and what program can help you do that.

The world is made up of 195 countries. This means the possibilities of where you travel during your time off during college or after high school are endless. Having a clearer understanding of why you want to take a gap year will help you determine where you want to go and who you want to travel with.

Many of the Up with People gap year students have taken interest in the idea of experiential learning to continue their education in a nontraditional way. Students who want to become active, positive agents of change in the world have found themselves in the Up with People program. They immerse themselves in different cultures by staying with host families and volunteer through community action in different cities around the world. Others may find a more suitable international program for them where they can practice medicine or aid in social work. It just depends on what your goals are.

  1. Raise money and save for your gap year.

Taking a gap year is something that requires a lot of financial planning. Many programs out there offer scholarships and grants to help with tuition costs. There are also many fundraising options available such as creating your own GoFundme page or opening up a dialogue with your friends and family on social media. Other ideas to help save and raise money could be:

  • Create a budget (and don’t forget to be realistic with your goals!)
  • Sell belongings you don’t need or want
  • Cut back on eating out or excess spending
  • Get a job working remotely
  • Host a fundraising party or event
  • Apply for a loan or deferment on current student loans
  1. Gather all of your travel necessities and book your flight.

You’ve got a program, the money, and ambition in your back pocket. Now it’s time to put your plan into action by getting all of your travel necessities together. Depending on where you go or what program you decide to travel with will determine what you need to pack. Some of the basic essentials include items like making sure your passport is up to date, travel insurance is set up, making appointments for any vaccinations you might need, or linking up with an international banking system while you are away.

Here is a printable travel packing list we’ve provided for those who are planning a semester or full year abroad.  

  1. Have a plan for your return home.

Just because you’ve booked your flight there, doesn’t mean it’s not important to focus on when you return as well. There will be a ton of culture shock by immersing yourself into a new environment, as well as returning home to your old one. Make sure you have a support system in place. Another important thing to consider is returning back to school or to your previous job. Make sure you have spoken with your advisor, counselor, or boss to ensure that there is a smooth transition back into your normal routine. Oh, and don’t forget to book your flight home!

If you’re ready to start exploring the possibilities of your gap year, talk to one of our Admissions Counselors to learn more about the Up with People On Tour program. We’re now accepting applications for July, 2019 and January, 2020! You never know, it could be the perfect fit for you.

LinkedIn Says Companies Seeking Employees With Soft Skills

According to LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner the biggest skills gap isn’t what you might think. During the age of coding boot camps and a growing number of ways for technology to remove human interaction from the equation, it turns out the biggest skills gap has nothing to do with technology.

In a recent article Jeff Weiner, who heads the world’s largest professional-networking site LinkedIn, explained, “the biggest skills gap in the United States is soft skills.”

What most employers want, Weiner says, are written communication, oral communication, team-building, and leadership skills. These skills are increasingly hard to find in a world where people are glued to their phones. It turns out that real life communication skills just so happen to be the building blocks of a good company.

“As powerful as AI will ultimately become and is becoming, we’re still a ways away from computers being able to replicate and replace human interaction and human touch,” Weiner said at a Wired forum on the future of work. “So there’s a wonderful incentive for people to develop these skills because those jobs going to be more stable for a longer period of time.”

In other words, we’ve all been told that robots are coming to take our jobs but surprisingly the jobs that are the safest from automation are those that require social and interpersonal communication skills.

Enter the gap year. In a world where learning how to have a conversation is valued (see soft skills) more and more young people are seeking the development of these in-demand skills. Up with People (the original gap year) has known the value of soft skills for a long time.

The core of Up with People’s global education program is based on a robust curriculum that not only enriches the tour experience, but brings key lessons to life through exploration, formal study, and action. Delivered in an experiential learning format, cast members leave their tour with a deeper commitment to lifelong learning, with the tools and abilities to navigate the complexities of today’s interconnected world. A core pillar of Up with People’s curriculum is to strengthen individual communication skills, including personal communication and public speaking and interviewing, develop facilitation and presentation techniques that will help them excel in the companies of tomorrow.

According to Fast Company, another job sector that will not suffer from the “robot apocalypse” will be creatives. Not only do these people tend to have strong “soft skills” but this job category qualifies as well within the “safe zone” which includes artists, singers and musicians.

Until artificial intelligence and robots can replicate productive conversations, those looking for job security in the future may want to consider investing in the development of these often overlooked soft skills.

“We are the faces of today

We are the voices of tomorrow

This is our time this is our place

We show the way others may follow”

Maybe I © Up with People

 

An Original Gap Year

The idea of the “gap year” has been around since the 1960’s. Originating as a time for young people to travel independently, it has grown to serve different purposes over the years. Certainly, travel remains a large aspect of a gap year, but many people also work to incorporate ways to give back, as well as to learn and grow personally. Since 1965 Up with People has been providing all of those elements and more, as one of the original gap year programs.

Gap years have several roots; ranging from backpacking individuals staying in hostels, to government sponsored service in far-flung locales. Many participants joined for the opportunity to see the world before finishing school and joining the workforce. While the popularity of such experiences varies around the world, it has been growing steadily for decades. With that increased participation, comes the increased awareness and recognition of the benefits of a gap year by schools, employers, and families. Most gap year travelers report higher levels of self confidence, maturity and ability to self-reflect.


Up with People began in 1965 as a spontaneous call to action from young people who wanted to make a difference: rather than shouting ‘down with this or that’ they decided to stand up for the idea that young people can make a positive difference in the world. There were no official plans or strategy, but there was an overabundance of hope and energy. When Up with People began as a group to share their message of international understanding, some of the hallmarks of the program were built out of need. There was no funding for hotel stays, so students were placed with host families in every town they visited. The international language of music was used to inspire and motivate people to provoke positive change in their communities. Getting involved through local service projects became not only a way to give back and make a difference, but also served to promote Up with People’s mission and visit to each community through word of mouth advertising. These initial elements of social action that were needed and successful in the 60’s have remained in the program today and offer significant opportunities for growth, learning and compassion.

What began as an open ended experience eventually transitioned into a year, and eventually semester options were offered to better fit the needs of participants who were taking a semester off of school. Several partnerships with colleges have been fostered to recognize and enhance the experiential learning that students do “on the road.” Up with People’s educational focus has very deep roots. In the 1960’s, faculty members traveled with the group to teach high school and college courses. Now, specially trained staff members travel with each cast to focus on a curriculum of social and cultural understanding and exchange. Up with People’s skill building goes deeper too, as localized learning opportunities are offered in various communities, and internship placements with the staff provide tangible and marketable job skills. Those who travel have the chance to lead and learn with a group of lifelong friends.

Up with People has more than 50 years of experience in guiding students through an original gap year experience with challenge and support. The current program has been enhanced to offer the best of the learning and independence of a traditional gap year, and added leadership, group dynamics, as well as personal growth opportunities.

“A thousand miles, somebody said,

Start when we take a single step.

A thousand reasons to begin,

To move ahead.

 

It’s where you’re goin’ and where you been

Cuz the beginnings never end.

Another road, another chance

To move ahead… take a step.

Oh… a single step”

 

A Single Step© Up with People

 

5 Benefits Of Staying With Host Families While Traveling

While Up with People program participants travel the world they stay not in hotels, dorm rooms, or hostels but with local host families. This can be one of the most rewarding benefits of the travel experience because it instantly gets the traveler that much closer to the local culture. Living with a host family is an adventure within an adventure and an experience that many never forget.

What are the benefits of staying with a host family? We’re so glad you asked.

You Get To Live Like A Local

Learn what locals like to do, where they like to go and what it’s really like inside their families. While living with host families you will have the opportunity to learn how to cook local dishes, try out new games, or discover things to do in the area not mentioned in guide books. At Up with People we have something called “host family days” where participants get to spend an entire day with their host family each week seeing the local sights and doing what locals do.

Enjoy Local Traditional Home Cooked Meals

During each Up with People show we like to take the time on stage to thank our host families for opening up their homes and their refrigerators. Getting to eat a home cooked meal and try new dishes, share new recipes and partake in family meals is an incredible experience hotels simply can’t offer. Breaking bread with those across borders is an incredible way to get to know people and share stories.

Language Learning And Practice

The key to learning a new language is to get over your fear of making mistakes – and your host family is a great place to practice your conversation skills. They talk like ”real people,” so you’ll hear a lot of idioms, phrases, and expression that you might not learn in a textbook. You also must force yourself to practice all day, every day which will accelerate learning.

Real Life Cultural Lessons

Living with a host family gives you the ability to ask a local about traditions you’re curious about. Not only do host families have experience in answering the questions of international travelers, if they have hosted guests previously, they also provide a warm, loving environment for asking important questions you may not feel comfortable asking anyone else.

You Gain A Second Family

In Up with People you stay with a new host family every week while on the road. During this time you may gain a second, third, fourth or who knows how many new families spread out all over the world! Many of these families remain in contact with you for the rest of your life and lead to future trips. Host families can become one of the biggest reasons to visit again and again. Many first time travelers also experience homesickness and having a new family abroad can help combat those symptoms.

When considering taking a semester off of college – perhaps with  a gap year or study abroad program – one should strongly consider options that allow them to live with host families. Learn more about how you can be part of an Up with People cast at https://upwithpeople.org/travel/admissions-information/.