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When Is The Best Time For A Gap Year

A gap year – between high school and university, or perhaps as a semester off during college – has been increasing in popularity across the globe for a very good reason – it gives you the chance to get a better sense of who you are and what you want to do during major life transitions. A gap year refers to taking time off to travel, volunteer or even work.

But when is the best time in life to take a gap year? While it’s true participants in Up with People’s gap year program are often between high school and university this isn’t the only time in life to travel. Many in our program choose to take a gap year after college, as a break from college or even a few years out of college. It’s important to weigh your options and decide what’s best for you.

The following data is from the 2015 survey from the American Gap Association (AGA). Study participants — individuals 18 to 60 years old who have taken a gap year — indicated their primary motivation for taking a gap year.

After High School

There are many reasons why bridging high school and college with a gap year is a good idea. This is especially true if you have no idea what you would like to major in or study in school. You might also be considering other options than furthering your education so a year of rich experiences, especially traveling, can help your personal discovery. Currently this is one of the most popular times to take a gap year. As a matter of fact, many of the world’s top universities are promoting gap years as an important piece of a young adult’s educational experience, and some are even offering scholarships!

At Up with People, we offer academic credit opportunities as well as participant internships during a gap year. A sense of new adventure with a gap year program is not only refreshing, but offers an opportunity for you to gain more responsibility, independence and solidify what you want to do in life.

During College

Taking a semester off during college might seem unconventional but there are many options today that allow you to take a break and even gain academic credit while you travel. Even if you don’t want to earn academic credit, gap year programs can help boost the bullet points on your resumé. Internships and volunteer programs abroad are especially good for those wanting to take a gap year during college.

Of course, if you don’t have an entire year to go out into the world, a traditional study abroad semester can also be extremely rewarding. This option can be difficult though because interrupting your studies and pulling yourself away from friends can take extra effort. In fact, if you are currently in high school and trying to decide if you should take a gap year before or during college we would recommend before. We believe in the power of a gap year and the truth is that most who say they want to take a gap year and plan on doing it during college, simply end up never going because of the extra effort it takes during school.

After College

You studied hard and now you have no idea what to do next. Your peers are frantically sending out job applications and getting down to the serious business of “real life.” But maybe you’re not ready for this. Enter the post-college gap year. Understandably, you may feel pressure to go straight from college into a big job and to start walking along your path to success. That’s perfectly reasonable, as you want to take advantage of your education and succeed in the workplace. Just remember though, the skills you learn on a gap year can prove to be invaluable for nearly any career path and just might be what sets you apart from others. This also may be your last chance to do some serious travel before starting a family, having kids and taking on the responsibilities of normal adult life.

Career Break

The average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life according to career change statistics. With an ever increasing number of different career choices on offer, approximately 30% of the total workforce will now change jobs every 12 months.

Enter the career break gap year! Between jobs it can be nice to take a breath and some time to make a good decision about what your next move might be. Will you change your career field completely? Will you start that business you’ve always wanted? Is it time to write that book? A gap year can be the perfect way to step away from your life and find the answers you seek.

“There are many roads to go

And they go by many names.

They don’t all go the same way

But they get there all the same

And I have a feelin’ that we’ll meet some day

Where the roads come together up the way.”

Where the Roads Come Together, © Up with People

Back To School – The Value Of Experiential Education

As many head back to school and summer winds down we can’t help but think about the value of experiential education. Experiential education can be defined as a type of education in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience outside of the classroom and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, clarify personal values and develop one’s own capacity to contribute to their communities. More simply put; learning by doing.

Experiential education is at the core of Up with People’s on the road education curriculum because we believe it’s incredibly important in today’s world. While experiential education should take nothing away from traditional learning, a gap year or semester outside of the classroom can be incredibly valuable.

In fact, the Princeton Review recently outlined how experiential learning could launch your career. In this assessment they outlined 3 main benefits of experiential learning which include discovering what you love to do, learning to take risks, and learning how to talk about your skills. All of these benefits become tangible when a young person finishes their traditional education and heads out into the real world.

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.

Up with People staff lead interactive educational seminars, discussions and workshops that are designed to enrich each cast member’s touring experience. Facilitators utilize the cultural differences within the cast and the unique opportunities on tour to guide cast members’ learning. The curriculum includes simulations, group discussions, reflective questions and team activities to enhance the educational experience.

Experiential education can help young people transition from college to work, and community-service experiences especially prepare them to be more engaged citizens who live a life of service. But experiential education can also improve the quality of learning itself and increase the likelihood that students will be able to use throughout their lives the knowledge acquired in their studies. This does not happen automatically or easily, however. It must be purposefully pursued.

Perhaps the Up with People song Journey On says it best:

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.

Language Learning And Travel

Each semester participants of Up with People’s program meet for the first time in Denver, CO. These young people represent over 20 countries and come from places like Japan, China, Sweden, Mexico and the United States. Many of these travelers have spent years practicing their English speaking skills and come to Up with People to practice those skills in the real world for the first time. Many second language learners will tell you that the only way to truly learn a language is to travel and speak with people in the real world. This forces you out of your comfort zone and challenges you in ways you could have never thought possible.

To find out just how powerful travel is in terms of language learning we decided to ask recent participants of Up with People about their experiences in the program. It’s important to note that Up with People’s program is conducted in English and a basic level of English proficiency is required.

Likun Tang from China – Native language Mandarin – Alumnus of Up with People

How did traveling help your English speaking skills?

Travel gives me an opportunity to meet different people and start a conversation right away. And most of the conversation runs in English. I can also hear different English accents that help me correct myself and keep improving my pronunciation.

What was most difficult about your first few weeks of traveling with Up with People?

It’s difficult but also exciting, I still remember I was so excited to open the door and say good morning to everyone. The most difficult thing was the feeling of limitation, from the small thing of asking where is the bathroom to the conversations are all in English. I felt because of the language barrier, I can’t be myself, couldn’t express how I feel and what I want. A funny story is that there is a language buddy system during the first few weeks of the program. This system was created to have a native speaker help the participant who has difficulties to understand, but I even didn’t know the word ‘buddy’, so I didn’t sign up even I really need a language buddy.

Did you notice a significant improvement in your language skills and if so when? How long did it take?

Yes, it took around 4 years. I noticed this since last semester. The first improvement happened during my student year, it helped me understand better, able to start a conversation and be more confident. The most significant improvement happened last semester, it was my first semester as a staff member, this experience helped me improve my English skill to a working requirement level.

Why is it important to you to improve your language skills?

I think there are so many ways you can get to know a person and let people know you. But talking and having a conversation is still the most effective, direct way to communicate. Therefore, mastering the language is one of the basic tools to get to know a different culture, people, and society. This is also one of the motivating powers for me to learn another language.

Sara Rodriguez from USA – Native language English – Alumna of Up with People

In Up with People you travel with people who speak many languages and our program is conducted in English. How did you change the way you speak English to help those who speak it as a second language?

In order to speak effectively with people who have English as a second language, it is important to use basic, grammatically correct English, at least at first. Any slang words or phrases can be very confusing to people who are not around native English speakers. Over time, it is important for non-native speakers to learn these phrases too, so I also would take the time to explain them to anyone who didn’t understand.

What was most difficult about your first few weeks of traveling with Up with People?

The most difficult part of Up with People language wise during the first few weeks was tuning into the English proficiency levels around me. I had to become more mindful of when I can speak English at top speed, and when I needed to adjust to the language level of my cast mates. I was also able to be a language buddy to a cast member who needed help with English. This was not so much difficult, but more a way to challenge myself to use my language to help others.

How did you adjust your way of communicating with others who don’t speak English as a first language?

This really depends on the person. For those that have a lower level of English proficiency, it is important to speak slowly and to use simple sentences and words. If the person didn’t understand what I was saying, I would think of new ways to phrase what I was trying to portray. I have found that actions and body language also become very important when there is a language barrier.

Michelle Aguirre from Mexico – Native language Spanish – Alumna of Up with People

How did traveling help your English speaking skills?

Having no other option than to speak English in order to communicate with others really pushed me to go for it and try my best. It was hard at first, since my brain and my tongue were not used to the words and the grammar, but I just had to keep talking and listening and my brain eventually caught up.

What was most difficult about your first few weeks of traveling with Up with People?

Brain tiredness. After listening, reading and talking in English all day, during the evenings I just needed to shut down my brain for a while and take a break.

Did you notice a significant improvement in your language skills and if so when?

Definitely! After a couple of months, I noticed I no longer had to stop, think, and translate in my head what I wanted to say during a conversation. I was making jokes and feeling more confident while speaking.

Why is it important to you to improve your language skills? ​

Everywhere I go, I strive to learn and take in the culture as if I were a local. Having wider language skills brings me closer to achieving this.

 

11 Scholarships To Fund Your Study Abroad or Gap Year Adventure

So, you’ve landed an exciting opportunity to study abroad or are planning a gap year, but you’re not sure how to pay for it. Don’t panic. A life-changing opportunity to explore and discover the world is probably worth a little extra effort, don’t you think?

The keys are staying organized and applying for scholarships early and often. Here are some amazing scholarships available to help fund your adventure. Most of the time, the hardest part is simply getting started!

Anna Ftorek Memorial Scholarship Fund 
Award – Varies

Available exclusively to participants of Up with People’s program, preference shall be given to vocally talented females who demonstrate financial need.

Boren Scholarships 
Award – $8,000 – $20,000

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Gaby Bedolla Memorial Scholarship Fund
Award – Varies

Available exclusively to participants of Up with People’s program, preference shall be given to students from Latin America or Mexico who demonstrate financial need.

Golden Key Scholarships
Award – Varies

The objective of this scholarship is to give students the opportunity to develop their professional skills in an international environment. Both undergraduate and graduate students are able to apply for these awards which are given to qualified individuals with outstanding academic, leadership, and service achievements.

Up with People General Scholarships
Award – Varies

Available exclusively to participants of Up with People’s program, Up with People is committed to building diverse traveling casts with representatives from across the globe, and we want to ensure that all qualified candidates have the opportunity to join our amazing program.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Award – $3000 – $5000

Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, this program offers grants to U.S. undergraduates with limited financial means, in order to diversify the population of students going abroad.

Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships
Award: Up to $40,000 per fellow

Available to artists in the disciplines of dance, film/new media, literature, music, theater and visual arts to support travel, professional development and much more.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Award: $20,000

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

American Association of University Women Fellowships & Grants
Award: Varies

AAUW has a goal of advancing educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe. They have multiple scholarships and grants available each year.

Rotary International
Award: Varies

The Rotary Foundation and clubs invest in future leaders and philanthropists by funding scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study.

 

How Countries Celebrate Independence Day Around The World

Throughout the world, countries celebrate their independence through national holidays and other cultural celebrations. From fireworks in the United States to flying kites in India, let’s take a look at how independence day is celebrated around the world.

Bolivia – August 6th

Bolivia throws a two-day party packed with marches, gun salutes, fireworks, music, parades and carnivals. The main event of the celebrations are the military parades on August 6th. The day is a national holiday of Bolivia locally known as Dia de la Patria. The celebrations continue for a full day especially in  the capital city of Bolivia ‘La Pez.’

Cambodia – November 9th

Cambodian Independence Day is celebrated with festivals, parades, and firework displays across Cambodia. The main gathering point is Phnom Penh’s Independent Monument, which was built to mark Cambodia’s 1953 liberation from French rule.

The United States – July 4th

Americans commonly show their patriotism by hanging flags, and even wearing red, white and blue colors to celebrate independence day. Parades, backyard barbecues and fireworks are used to celebrate Independence Day in cities and towns all across the country.

India – August 15th

To symbolize its freedom from British rule, saffron, white and emerald-green kites evoking the young country’s tri-colored flag are flown. It is also typical in most parts of the country for a ceremony and unfurling of the national flag.

Norway – May 17th

This day celebrates the signing of the Constitution of Norway. In Norway, children play a special part in the celebration of their independence day. Several children’s parades are held during the day, where the children march with flags and school banners led by marching bands. In the capital city of Oslo, the children will pass the Royal Palace, where the royal family will wave to the parade participants from the balcony. In most cities, local schools arrange games, activities and lotteries with nice prizes, as well as selling cakes, soda, ice cream and candies. In the evening, people gather with family and friends to have dinner or barbeques together.

Mexico – September 16th

In Mexico City people gather at Zocalo, a plaza where people have gathered since the days of the Aztecs. Everywhere in the country streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated. Flags are hoisted from houses and buildings. Colorful lanterns can be found in most cities. The celebrations reach a high point when the President of Mexico arrives in the Zocalo, at 11 o’clock on September 15 to re-enact Father Hidalgos’ grito, or cry, of Independence to his followers. The President then rings the same bell that Father Hidalgo rang followed by the crowd proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of the independence war and then they end it with a final shout of VIVA MÉXICO! Colorful fireworks light up the Mexican evening sky as the ceremonies end.

Photo courtesy of The Yucatan Times

Australia – January 26th

Officially known as Australia Day the celebration honors the creation of the first British settlement in Australia. On this day, Australians celebrate with surfing races, ferry races and a tall ships race. Fireworks are also customary in Australia, where they are even lit on moving boats and skyscrapers.

Costa Rica – September 15th

Traditional dancing takes center stage in Costa Rica’s Independence Day celebrations on 15 September. Unlike other countries in the Americas, there was no fight for independence in Central America. Depleted by the war with Napoleon Bonaparte, and a few Latin American wars, Spain actually supported Central American independence because the region had become a burden.

South Korea – March 1st / August 15th

South Korea celebrates its liberation from Japan on two different and important days. August 15 is called Gwangbokjeol, and celebrates South Korea’s independence from Japan and the creation of the South Korean government. The day includes national ceremonies, displaying the flag, and singing the official independence day song called 광복절 노래: Gwangbokjeol Nor. March 1 is called Samil Jeol, and celebrates the independence movement that helped liberate South Korea from the Japanese, and memorializes the men and women lost during the rebellion. To commemorate the day, the Declaration of Independence is read at Pagoda Park (탑골공원) in Seoul.

France – July 14th

July 14th marks the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris, which was the beginning of the French Revolution. Bastille Day is observed as the French National Day, and is celebrated with many different traditions, such as firefighter organized dance parties, military parades, and fireworks.

10 Easy Travel Hacks To Make You A Better Traveler

While travel is one of our favorite things we recognize that sometimes trips could go just a little more smoothly. These simple travel hacks can save you time, money, and at times your sense of sanity. So before heading out on your next great adventure be sure to use a few of these pro travel hacks!

Use a Sunglasses Case For Power Cords

The more helpful electronic devices we pack the more of a pain tangled power cords can be. There is a very simple solution! Pack an extra sunglasses case to store those power cords. This offers a lightweight and efficient way to keep your power cords from somehow getting buried and tied together at the bottom of your carry-on.

Browse Flights and Hotels In “Incognito Mode” or “Private Browsing” To Save Money

If you’re like most people when you set out to buy a flight or book a hotel you browse prices, then check a couple other sites, and then possibly go back to the booking sites multiple times. This can cost you big time because those sites plant cookies on your computer and then based on the places you are searching for flights or a room, start to incrementally raise the prices on the very thing you want to book. All while the rest of the world is seeing a cheaper price for the same room or flight! Chances are that if you have already searched a flight once and don’t book, the next time you search that flight you will be shown a more expensive price. Simply browsing in private mode will allow you to save money.

Stop Folding Your Clothes

It’s time to stop the madness. If you are having trouble packing and fitting all of your clothes in that stuffed-to-the-brim suitcase it’s because you are a folder. Rolling your clothes is a much better option and has been proven to more efficiently fill the space in your luggage. Try rolling your clothes next time you pack.

Email A Photo Of Your Passport To Yourself And Family Member

We tell our new program participants that despite your best efforts, you may lose your passport. No one wants the hassle of getting a replacement especially without the proper documentation or proof that can speed up the process of getting a new one. When headed overseas be sure to take a photo of your passport and email that photo to yourself and a family member. You’ll thank yourself later in case it goes missing.

Bring An Empty Water Bottle

Everyone knows that the prices for food and water at airports is higher than almost everywhere else. So why keep paying big money for bottles of water? On a typical international trip you could save a lot of money by simply packing an empty water bottle to fill at airports for free. This also has the added benefit of helping the environment.

Use Shower Caps On Your Shoes

Most people walk a lot while exploring a city and this means the bottom of your shoes have slopped through some very dirty things. Then without a thought most of us place those dirty shoes right back into our luggage. Yuck! Luckily there is a simple solution. Simply wrap the bottom of your shoes in a shower cap to keep the germs on the bottom of your shoes and not all over your clothes. Many hotels provide shower caps for free.

Fight Jet Lag With Exercise

There are many ways to fight jet lag (see post – Tested Traveler Tips On Avoiding Jet Lag) but one of the best is exercise. It is one of the only scientifically proven ways to get over that sluggish feeling that comes from international travel. Hit the hotel gym or go for a jog and you will feel better in no time.

Hide Money In An Empty Lip Balm Tube

If someone wants to lift a little cash from your purse or bag where is the last place they would look? Your lip balm tube! This takes a wider lip balm tube of course but this hack offers a failsafe way to keep your money hidden from a would-be thief.

Pack A Dryer Sheet

We all pack dirty clothes when headed home or between stops on a multi-country trip. Those clothes can get pretty stinky which then make clean clothes smell too. Putting a new dryer sheet in your luggage can keep everything smelling like fresh air!

Download A Google Map Of Your Destination

You won’t always have access to Wi-Fi while traveling so make sure to download a digital version of your destination before you leave. When you download a Google Map to your device it allows you to access that map without Wi-Fi. This can also save you big on international roaming charges.

 

Taking A Break From Traditional Education

Attending university for many students seems like a default life decision and sometimes not even a choice at all. When school doesn’t seem to fit, some simply decide to go to college even though they may need a break from traditional education. More and more, students and parents are recognizing the value in taking a break and exploring other forms of education that will provide skills for the real world.

Take Josh, a member of Up with People’s Cast A 2018, who recently said, “Taking a year to see the world before I went out into it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I wish every young adult who’s still searching for their passion could have the opportunity to travel and find what empowers them while making the world a happier place in the process.”

Young people who take a gap year typically say they entered the real world after their experience feeling more recharged and focused. Some decide to continue their traditional education where universities say those students often are better leaders and more motivated. A large problem for many traditionally educated students is that they have no idea what they want to do. Making an alternative choice can allow young people to mature and get focused rather than spend thousands of dollars on a major they might never use.

Young people feeling burnt out on traditional education should pay attention to several signs that they should consider a gap year. These signs include:

  • The desire to learn a new language
  • The need for a break from school
  • Stepping out of  your comfort zone sounds like fun
  • You want a resume that stands out
  • You have no idea what you want to major in
  • You are interested in building an international network
  • You enjoy meeting people from other cultures and backgrounds
  • You crave adventure

 

Taking a gap year abroad is a way to learn skills that are difficult to learn during a traditional semester. For example, travel teaches us cross-cultural competence, a skill that is needed in this world now more than ever.

NBC national news correspondent Tom Costello took a gap year with Up with People and as he explains in the following video, the experience changed his life.

For many students, high school is simply a race to get into college, and by the end, they are just too burned out to do well once they get there. A gap year is a chance to push the reset button before plunging back into academia, if at all. In fact, this is one of the reasons Harvard recommends a gap year, to combat burnout in their highly motivated student body. On their website they state:

“Professionals in their thirties and forties – physicians, lawyers, academics, business people and others – sometimes give the impression that they are dazed survivors of some bewildering life-long boot-camp…what can be done to help? Fortunately, this young fast-track generation itself offers ideas that can reduce stress and prevent burnout. In college application essays and interviews, in conversations and counseling sessions with current college students, and in discussions with alumni/ae, many current students perceive the value of taking time out.”

If any of the above information resonates with you, then maybe you should consider taking a break from traditional education. Many times a gap year is exactly what a young person needs to plant the seeds for a fruitful and fulfilling life.

 

 

Tips For Raising A Global Child

It’s easy to get lost in the weeds of information out there about good parenting. At the end of the day we simply want what’s best for our kids. As our children prepare for college, and enter the workforce it’s easy to overlook soft skills that are critical to cross-cultural competence and communication. Developing a global mindset is extremely important in today’s interconnected and globalized economies. But how do we raise a global child? How do we prepare our kids to be ready for the real world we live in? In the spirit of Mother’s Day we asked the parents of Up with People alumni for their own tips on how to raise a well prepared global child.

Kerri Agusto is a Psychology Professor at Becker College. One of the core values of Becker College is the promotion of Global Citizenship. Kerri also happens to be the proud mother of Up with People participant Nate who is traveling the world with Up with People.

Kerri’s Tips On Raising A Global Child:

It is well-known that the 21st Century worker is expected to be a “global citizen”.  However, the definition of “global citizen” is often so varied that it leaves parents at a loss.  On one side is the very narrow definition that focuses on being multilingual. While this is a wonderful goal, in the US, where most schools teach in English and most children have the option of only a few years of French or Spanish education, fluency in more than one language is hard to come by without home immersion. On the other end of the spectrum is the ideal of relocating children to new cultures/countries for extended periods of time.  The idea is that they can become “global citizens” by moving out of their comfort zones to be immersed in different cultures to acquire an appreciation for new ways of viewing and living in the world. But, this ideal is only available to the few very wealthy individuals who can get paid while living in different places around the world.

So how do the rest of us help our children prepare to thrive and lead in a global society? Kerri explains…

Perhaps the easiest way is by providing children with opportunities to serve others.  Numerous churches, schools, and nonprofits around the country provide service opportunities for people in need.  Often these people are in low-income situations, are homeless, are disabled, or are members of other marginalized groups.  Another way to increase global perspectives in youth is to expose them to foods from different cultures, and to various religions, experienced through services at different places of worship.  Young children can be encouraged to read fables from around the world, to listen to music from different parts of the world, and read nonfiction accounts of children and teens from around the world.  As children get older, they can be encouraged to study courses such as “Understanding Diversity” or “Religions of the World.”

But truthfully, no course or short-term experience can substitute for immersion in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of a different country/culture.  So if finances allow, children should be encouraged to embrace any and all opportunities for travel. Unfortunately, most of the time these experiences are for a week or 10 days on a cruise ship or perhaps with a tour group.  Traveling to a new country on vacation is better than nothing, but when you travel as a tourist, you see the country through rose colored glasses. When possible, children should have opportunities to see the world through the eyes of its local inhabitants.  Traveling with a service organization is one of the safest and surest ways to do this, as service groups typically avoid the pricey hotels and tourist markets and take advantage of lower cost opportunities with locals [host families] who are willing to share their homes or show-off their localities with the pride that comes from living and working in a place you call “home.”  Another opportunity comes from the chance to “study abroad” when in College. These semester long experiences can be challenging, but also rewarding (and often lower in cost than studying domestically!).

Personally, I have a child who was adopted from Cambodia.  Before adopting him we took a class on international adoption and the take-home message was to allow our child to embrace his culture of origin even if we raised him as an American.  As Nate grew, we brought him to Dragon Boat festivals in Lowell, MA, exposed him to wonderful Cambodian restaurants, and read him many fables from Cambodia and Thailand and Laos. He did not have much interest in any of this — or so we thought.  But as he grew into his teens, he began collecting Cambodian flags and art. He was interested in news about his birthplace. And at 16 he expressed a desire to go back and see where he was born. We found a service learning group with a 3 week adventure to Cambodia and we gave this trip to Nate as a graduation gift after high school.  When he returned he glowed with pride. He had experienced building a lavatory for a school in Cambodia, playing with the children in the school and seeing the great wonder of Ankor Wat and other temples. He shopped for foods in local markets and cooked traditional foods with the locals. His pride in the land of his birth was exponentially greater when he returned — as was his appreciation for the luxuries provided in his Massachusetts home.

Up with People is a natural extension of this experience for Nate.  Nate’s vocational goals are undecided. He is not one who enjoys school, and though he did well in the College classes he took  (including Religions of the World!) while waiting to begin UWP, he was not enjoying it or finding a passion. Nate wants to serve others.  He is not materialistic at all and wants for little. Money does not motivate him. What motivates him is helping others and being recognized and appreciated as a “good person.”  UWP gives him this opportunity.  And hopefully he will find a way to turn this experience into some direction for his future.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of helping our children become global children is to see them blossom and thrive.

Kerry says, “I am watching my caterpillar crawl out of his cocoon…. And what I’m seeing is an absolutely amazing butterfly getting ready to take on the world.  That’s what travel has done for my child. That’s how UWP has impacted his life.  Where he flies after this is anyone’s guess.  But I have no doubt he will land in many places and he will always bring with him a sense of curiosity and compassion.”

Jill Wright had three kids travel with Up With People. When asked about raising a global child Jill had this to say…

“Our son, Cameron, traveled for a full year. He probably had the most impactful experience, as he was struggling with life at the time, and after seeing Kara’s experience, we thought UWP could be great for Cameron. It was! He could not sing or dance to save his life, but toured as their drummer and loved it!

Cameron blossomed from a rather lost soul who had been fearful of travel to a global citizen, landing both education and stage internships, and returning home to reboot his college education with a fiery passion. His confidence soared, and he even led round table discussions with community leaders! Along with that, he now has some great friends in many different countries. I believe their experiences have shaped them to be more deeply invested towards others, and I am rather proud of them all!”

Happy Mother’s Day and a special thank you to Kerri and Jill for sharing their stories!

 

Why Travel Is Good For You

Many of us spend our days between trips planning and daydreaming about the next great adventure. We look at pictures of interesting places online and wonder what great fun awaits us in faraway lands. But did you know that like vitamins, travel can actually be good for us? Up with People participants (who at the time of this writing are in the middle of an amazing week in Canún, Mexico) know this to be true. Anybody who has traveled outside his or her comfort zone can attest to the excitement that comes from being in a new environment. As research has shown, travel is not only fun; it also offers the following benefits to our overall health and wellbeing.

Travel Science

Have you heard of the “wanderlust gene” called DRD4-7R? The 7R variation of this DRD4 gene is found in about 20% of humans and is associated with an abnormally increased level of restlessness and curiosity. Many psychologists and scientists have suggested that this gene could lead people to take bigger risks, which includes a nearly unquenchable thirst for travel.

An evolutionary biologist at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute says that the “…DRD4 gene and the consequent extra dopamine may have helped provoke prehistoric man to leave home and explore other territories in hopes of finding food, mates, and shelter … that biological background might have morphed into modern day wanderlust.”

A Kaplan University biologist, Dawn Maslar, goes further: “The wanderlust gene is so powerful. It appears that the DRD4 gene is more predominant in the traveling type person.”

We can’t help it! Travel is in our DNA!

It turns out travel also fights dementia. This is because travel promotes brain health by building resilience in your brain cells. This is supposed to delay degenerative disease. People who travel also live longer. Nice!

Travel Psychology

According to numerous studies travel can lead to significant personality changes. People become more empathetic, generous, report higher levels of emotional stability, and tend to return from their journeys entirely different than when they first set out.

Travel has also been proven to enhance creativity, sparking synapses in the brain and affecting our neural pathways. Because of this, a 2012 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that the more you immerse yourself in foreign cultures, the more creative and professionally successful you will be.

Travel Business

Giant empires have been started because some man or woman decided that they needed to get away from it all for a while. Large companies like Toms, Warby Parker, Kayak and Noosa Yogurt were all formed because their founders hit the road to discover their next big idea. Or simply hit the road for the thrill of it and a fortunate side effect was a multi-million dollar company.

Without travel we wouldn’t have Instagram. The lightbulb moment for founder Kevin Systrom came on a beach in Mexico while on vacation with his wife, Nicole. She explained that she probably wouldn’t post pics on any app because her photos don’t look as good as skilled photographers. And boom, the idea hit them. They decided to add filters to an earlier version of the app and Instagram as we know it was born. All because the couple decided to stay at a bed and breakfast in a foreign country to clear out the old cobwebs in the creative centers of the brain. The very first picture posted to Instagram is of a stray dog and a taco stand in Mexico posted by Kevin on that very trip.

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The ride sharing service Lyft can thank its success to many things, not least of which is travel. Founder Logan Green decided to take a trip to Africa, visiting Namibia, Cape Town, Botswana and Zimbabwe. On the trip he started noticing shared-ride vans called kombis.

Compared to his home in L.A. where traffic is at best a nightmare, Zimbabwe had quiet streets. Most people rode bikes, walked or took a kombi. People there simply don’t own private vehicles in the incredible numbers seen in the United States. Shared rides were the norm and because of this Green saw an opportunity. He returned to California to start Zimride, which he named after his experience in Africa. Zimride eventually became what we know now as Lyft.

Travel doesn’t always have to be inspirational. It can tick you off sometimes. And this anger can also be good for your creativity. The billionaire Richard Branson was so incredibly ticked off by a canceled flight that he arranged a chartered flight for himself and the rest of his fellow stranded passengers. This irritating inconvenience sparked what would become Virgin Airlines. It’s no wonder Branson famously said, “I got my education out in the world. In my opinion, real life learning is the only way forward.”

Better plan your next trip. It’s practically doctor prescribed. Learn more about traveling in Up with People’s global education program today.

Life After High School: 5 Alternatives to Traditional University for My Teen

Not everyone is ready to go to university right after high school…and that’s okay. In fact, taking a gap year before committing time and funds to higher education is becoming more and more common. While there are no exact numbers on how many young adults are opting for a gap year, the Gap Year Association says that interest and enrollment in gap year programs is growing substantially and they have seen gap year fair attendance increase by 294 percent since 2010. Just ask Malia Obama, daughter of Barack Obama, President Emeritus of the United States, who spent her gap yearvolunteering and visiting multiple continents before enrolling at Harvard.

That time in between schools is an ideal opportunity for your child to find their life’s passion, develop some real-world experiences, and plan for their future. Here are a few ideas for how your child can spend their gap year break before a post-secondary education.

TRAVEL

Take the time to travel the world! Of course, it sounds luxurious and frivolous, and yet, as businesses embrace a global economy there are endless benefits to understanding world cultures. Traveling abroad immerses your child into different cultures, foods, and languages, all of which can help give them a more global perspective. No classroom or textbooks will give them the same education as this.

Life experiences, as some would say, are as important as getting an education. At this stage in your child’s life, they are free from the ties of family, mortgages, and careers. It may be the only time in their lives when they will have the opportunity to travel for months at a time and form a global perspective.

VOLUNTEER

Younger generations are known for being more environmentally and socially conscious. In fact, according toThe Millennial Impact Report, millennials are a charitable generation who believe that they can leave the world a better place than they found it.

Volunteering provides young people an ideal opportunity to discover their interests or passions. It’s also an opportunity to build people skills, learn teamwork and develop a sense of self (all of which stand out on a resume). There are a variety of organizations that need daily volunteer help, ranging from the American Red Cross to the Peace Corps.

VOCATIONAL/TRADESMAN SCHOOL

If a four-year university doesn’t seem like the right fit for your teen, encourage them to specialize in a certain field by going to a vocational or tradesman school. In fact, skilled tradesman in the United States are in demand as baby boomers enter the sunset of their careers. Valuable vocations such as electricians, woodworkers, machinists and maintenance workers are in high demand. It’s been reported that more than 60% of U.S. firms struggle to fill important skilled trade positions.

These are fairly easy and quick degrees to earn that can provide a platform for a variety of well-paying jobs.

JOIN THE WORKFORCE

There are plenty of options for your child after graduating from high school, and lying on the couch all day probably isn’t a choice most parents support. As a result, finding gainful employment is always a solid solution for your recent graduate. In fact, in the United States, the number of hourly workers has risen 15% in the past 20 years and there’s no sign this trend will turn around.

For the students interested in bolstering their resume and creating a story should they decide to attend university, internships offer another unique opportunity. Many businesses will hire “interns” as part-time help, while providing valuable professional experience for your child.  Internships and entry-level roles offer your child the ability to gain beneficial life skills, like accountability, self-confidence, and problem solving.

CONSIDER A GAP YEAR PROGRAM

Suggest participating in a gap year program in between schooling. There are a variety of benefits, like leadership and career skills, that can be acquired by participating in a gap year program. Many of these programs offer young adults the opportunity to gain college credit while participating. At Up with People, we offer academic credit opportunities as well as participant internships and scholarships for those involved. A sense of new adventure with a gap year program is not only refreshing, but offers an opportunity for your child to gain more responsibility and independence.

There are a variety of choices for your teen beyond traditional university that will enhance their development, maturity, and life skills. With research, planning, and support, this life-changing decision could prove to have a positive impact.