We’re still at it, almost non-stop. Yesterday I sat with a woman (friend of a friend) from the Peace Corps office here in DC, along with two PC alumnae who are helping me. She talked to us about strategies for popularizing the Gap Year in the US. (A reminder: Let’s Get Global is not a program; we are a movement that is determined to make the Gap Year a common practice in the US. There are already lots of programs and more will appear when the idea takes hold. Our website will link to the programs that are out there and to the many articles that talk about how significant a GapYear can be.)
We’d love to hear your ideas too. What’s the best way to reach the kids, counselors, general public?
While we are working on the macro level, we are also looking for schools across the country to be part of our pilot program. We want about five or ten schools from different geographical areas and from all levels along the economic spectrum. We’re convinced that local philanthropists, family foundations, corporations, and community businesses will help to fund those kids who need funding help. And we will also provide ideas for the young people to raise part of the money themselves.
Some of our ideas: the creation of a couple of products that the kids can sell to earn money (like a t-shirt that says in the front, I love my country and in the back But we really should be seeing other people), help in putting on events that will earn money, a Let’s Get Global club in each school where they learn about some of the challenges of stepping into other cultures, and more (we’ll help with the content), an exchange of work for a donation to the worker’s Gap Year from places like Home Depot or Target.
But first we need you to suggest schools that are willing to present the Gap Year alternative. We’re thinking that those of you who have a school you think might be want to be part of our pilot project should find a pal and take on the challenge of introducing LGG to that school. It’s not a huge job…especially if you do it as a team: talk to the principal and guidance counselor, work with us to get someone to talk to the kids…and then to the parents. We will have a website (hopefully very soon!), we will suggest people to do the talking, and we will work together to create a plan to get the community behind us.
Crossing cultures creates leaders, develops self-esteem, teaches respect and understanding for all people. It is the best possible preparation for a successful college career…and life in general. I keep reading that 30% of college freshmen drop out…what an incredible waste of money and talent. That’s not the outcome among young people who have matured and developed perspective during that Gap Year. Those kids go into college motivated! They come home knowing and respecting themselves… and focused. I’m hoping you’ll help Let’s Get Global make the Gap Year a cultural norm in the US.
Do think about it. We’ll support you all the way. How about a goal of 1% of the pilot schools’ graduating classes by 2013? When the first group returns, the program will expand dramatically. We can do it with your help! Write me at: info@letsgetglobal.org It will change the kids, the community, the country…..and down the line, the world.
If you found yourself nodding as you read this, write and add your name to our volunteer list. And tell me where you live.
On a personal/professional note: I’m meeting today with illustrator, Mort Gerberg. We’ve put together a book called, Winky, Thinky, Stinky, A Book of Silly Rhymes. I’ve written more than 70 children’s book and this is the first time I’ve ever worked with the illustrator. Mort illustrated More Spaghetti, I Say, which has sold millions of copies. Until now, it’s always been the editor who found and worked with the illustrator. We’ll be sending it out next week in search of a publisher.
I’ll also be in NY on the 28th to meet with Heather Lazare, the editor at Crown who is publishing the anthology, Female Nomad and Friends: Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World. It will be out in June. All royalties will go to providing scholarships for slum kids in New Delhi to vocational schools. It’s a great read, with 40 authors telling their tales; I have seven stories in the book. I’ll be taking the cheap bus from DC on the 27th and heading back to work more on LGG after our meeting. Life is good!
Best, Rita
I’m writing from the gap year volunteer organisation Quest Overseas. We’re based in the UK but are increasingly receiving applications from US students on their gap year. If you’re looking for support with offering advice to prospective students, we’d be happy to help. We work with the advice site http://www.ethicalvolunteering.org which helps students to ask the right questions to placement organisations. Do get in touch if you think we can help.