La Carta Category: Gap Program

By Sydney Rubin Change is overwhelming; joining another family’s pre-existing routines is awkward. There’s lots of uncertainty: Where should I do my homework, how often should I help in the kitchen, how do I explain my conviction to vegetarianism (in a foreign language) to a family that loves to eat meat? How late is it … Read More

By Colin Yeo Coming from a background of studying theater design and production, I was very lucky to be assigned Aracely as my host mom. Aracely is incredibly passionate about Carnaval. Uruguay has a rich Carnaval culture, with rehearsals happening throughout the months leading into Carnaval season. The first event that Ara brought me to … Read More

By Samuel Knight

By Luke Petrosky Before I embarked on this gap year journey, I received advice from others telling me to come into this experience without expectations. This advice was not meant to prevent me from establishing goals for myself or looking forward to aspects of the new culture; rather, it was a mindset intended to inspire … Read More

By Sophia Vahanvaty Almost every day of our four weeks of Spanish classes at Academia Uruguay, the discussion in my class would inevitably drift to the contents of the various newspapers that were spread across the table in our classroom. Our class was a naturally curious group and questions about things we had heard our … Read More

Who should take a gap year or semester? You! Yes, that’s right, YOU! Not convinced that taking a gap year is for you? Let’s talk about it. There is a common misconception that students taking a gap year must be totally lost, rejected from their dream school, or fooling around with their parent’s money. In … Read More

There is a bridge that I cross 4 times a day to go to work that always makes me smile when I walk over it. In front of me, I can see the city of Cuenca spanning in every direction, beautiful mountains lining the horizon in the distance, and a sky that seems so close … Read More

Although I don’t like to admit it, I’m the kind of person who likes to have things figured out. Ever since I was in middle school, my favorite subjects were science and math because there was never any ambiguity. Two plus two equals four. There is no grey area. The comfort I have in certainty … Read More

We caught up with Max, a student at Tufts University who joined our Gap Program in Cuenca, Ecuador for the 2017-18 school year. Here, he shares his experience. On choosing a gap year The Tufts 1+4 program opened the door for me. From there, I thought the opportunity to improve my Spanish and experience the … Read More

Like an idiot, I came to Ecuador carrying expectations. Last August I looked ahead and saw “cool traveler adventurer Audrey,” the girl that could solve any problem. The girl that could speak fluent Spanish, change the world with her art, maybe even has a cool haircut. Independent, strong, and a citizen of the world: I … Read More