blog - Up with People

Benefits of a Gap Year According to Harvard

Posted by Up with People on October 18, 2019

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

Where Are They Now: Interview with Alumnus, Eric Miles

Posted by Up with People on October 16, 2019

Eric Miles is an inspiring alumnus who traveled in Up with People in 1992. His experience in Up with People provided him the opportunity to immerse himself into new cultures and truly see the diversity in the world we live in. Eric now works for Full Sail University, owns two businesses, and has partnered with several other companies in the financial and entertainment world. He studied acting at Mansfield University and has acted in several shows including Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers, Kenan and Kel, and many others. Thanks to his generosity, Eric has shared his story about his time traveling

Meet the Cast Monday: Aiyonna from Colorado

Posted by Up with People on October 14, 2019

Gap year student in Up with People travel program

On this week’s Meet the Cast Monday, meet Aiyonna from Colorado! At 19-years-old and fresh out of high school, Aiyonna is excited to travel the world and start her journey of self discovery. Interests and Passions: Painting, drawing, sculpting, and writing Why did you decide to travel in Up with People? “I want people to know that they are being listened to, understood, and that they are cared for. That’s pretty much what Up With People stands for. The travel aspect was also very interesting to me.” What was arrival day in Ottawa like for you? “Cold! Staying in hot

Why Volunteering Makes You Happy According to Science

Posted by Up with People on October 11, 2019

It’s no secret that being around other people is more fun than being alone. Social relationships are described as one of the greatest single causes of a person’s overall state of happiness. Thanks to research done by the University of Minnesota, we now know that volunteering in fact creates social gain which “leads to more interaction, engagement, and trust” which all significantly impact a person’s mental health. Up with People’s travel program advocates towards the awareness and empowerment towards social change on mental health. Over the last ten years, mental health issues have risen among young adults, with social media

Read More

Topics: Volunteering Abroad

Meet the Cast Monday: Macy, Up with People Gap Year Student

Posted by Up with People on October 7, 2019

Up with People gap year traveler performing on stage

Up with People gap year students travel anywhere from 6 months to 1 year as they visit different countries around the world volunteering and performing in local communities spreading a message of hope. For this week’s Meet the Cast Monday, we had a chance to sit down with Macy, one of our newest travelers in the Up with People program. Learn more about Macy, her first time meeting her host family, and what she is most excited for during the Spring 2019 tour on our latest YouTube video! “You know that each of us Has a song to sing,