Hi, I’m Allie. I graduated from high school last year, in June 2011. I decided that instead of going straight to college, I wanted to take a gap year. I came up with the idea during the spring of my senior year. Initially, I applied to this new program called Global Citizen Year. Unfortunately it’s very new, and still pretty expensive. But it really got me thinking about taking a year off to volunteer. After lots of research, I found United Planet.
United Planet is an NGO that operates out of Boston. (Check it out at unitedplanet.org) It’s part of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE), which is an international foundation with over 40 member countries. It is basically a volunteer exchange. I decided to go to Honduras, because it is a Spanish speaking country (I hope to perfect my Spanish from the trip), and it had excellent volunteering opportunities. I am working at a rehabilitation center for kids with cerebral palsy, called Programa de Rehabilitación de Parálisis Cerebral – PREPACE. I am staying with a host family in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, in a neighborhood called Las Hadas. Because ICYE is an exchange program, I am staying with a family who has sent one of their kids abroad. A boy from my host family is currently in Germany. There are two girls my age, so it’s perfect!
Hopefully I will be able to keep up with this blog!
HEY!
Its Jennifer (from the plane), I love all your posts so far!
I hope you still enjoy Honduras as much as you do now, when
you leave in 6 months! Im pretty sure you will! Im in love with
eating everything as well! I shall keep reading so I can continue
seeing your progress here in Honduras. Im sure your spanish will
improve immensely! Best of Luck!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Barahona =))
Hi Allie, Just stumbled upon your blog on the web and I think it’s great that you’re doing a gap year! I work as a gap year adviser so I’m always happy to see students blogging about their experiences. Best of luck and enjoy your time! (ps: I have shared your blog on twitter from my username @enroutegapyear)
I love reading this! I’m planning on doing 6 months in Honduras and then another 6 in a Nepal orphanage!! SO, I love reading about your adventure!!! Keep it coming!!