Global Citizen Year
Juan Perez
Buckle up, folks, because things are about to get wild! As I sit here, eagerly awaiting my laundry to finish (yes, even laundry time is thrilling now), I can hardly contain my excitement. Indian songs have found a permanent spot on my Spotify playlist, and my Netflix is convinced I've developed an insatiable craving for Bollywood movies. And guess what? I haven't even set foot in India yet! The culture has already wrapped its mesmerizing embrace around me, reshaping my perception of life.
Now, you might wonder, what on earth am I going to do in India? Is it some swanky volunteerism program? How fat is the paycheck? And why India of all places? Trust me, my brain was doing cartwheels with these million-dollar questions, and I was swimming in a sea of uncertainty. But then it hit me like a lightning bolt—the answer was simple: DIGNITY. That one word unraveled the complexities and became the heartbeat of my upcoming adventure as a GCY fellow for the next nine months. You see, in our talks and discussions, we unearthed the profound importance of dignity and how our actions could impact the community we'll be part of.
Sure, the world might glorify solutions for developing countries, plastering them across glossy economics and science magazines. But let's get real here—most of these solutions are mere mirages, far from reality in those very countries. Why? Because they forget one crucial aspect—they involve real people with real basic needs and an equal right to quality education and products, just like those in developed countries.
I'm not just going to teach English in India. Oh, no! My mission reaches far beyond the confines of a classroom. I'm determined to ignite hope and inspiration in the hearts of the children I'll be working with. I'm fully aware of how unjust the world can be, and that's precisely why these kids deserve more than just rote classes. They need genuine human interactions filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of music. After all, every beat is a symphony of change, and I'm ready to be their conductor of positivity.
So, join me on this whirlwind journey through India, where we'll dance to the rhythm of dignity, breaking barriers and leaving a trail of hope in our wake. Strap in tight, because this rollercoaster ride has just begun, and there's no turning back now! Get ready for a dose of inspiration, passion, and everything that makes this world a better place. Cheers to the adventure that awaits us!
Here some picture of the first week at Stanford University with all the Global Citizen Year Fellows:
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