Although most high school graduates would go straight to college, Jack Dickerson had a different plan. A class of 2017 alumnus, Dickerson decided to take more of a non-traditional path after graduating, taking a gap year in Latin America.

“As I prepared for my year abroad in Ecuador, I realized that I really had no idea on what I was doing,” said Dickerson.

Humble by nature, Dickerson was aware that the things that made him unique throughout high school actually had prepared him for pursuing a different path after high school. After receiving a recommendation from history teacher Jonathan Todd, Dickerson began to explore his options with the Global Citizen Year program.

The Global Citizen Year program was designed to encourage young adults to take a gap year after high school; the program is connected with several foreign countries, and students are encouraged to spend seven months to a year abroad. Participants enjoy living with a host family, expanding their horizons by learning the language, making lifelong friends, and most importantly, making an impact through the work they do.

“I am working with a foundation that is called Vibrant Village which focuses on agroecological work in rural areas in Ecuador. I will be interacting with very rural, Andean communities and teaching them how to farm organically,” said Dickerson. “ Along with this, I am constructing a market so that these families have a forum to sell their crops and gain some sort of income.”

“The same program that Jack is doing is still available to high school graduates every year,” said college and career specialist Ann Bergen. There are four country options that you can choose from, and when you apply, you indicate that you want to go to a specific country. Then they place you, usually, in the country you want. It is a part of the application process.

Dickerson has just begun his adventure and can’t wait to relay to his family and friends back home how things unfold.

“I will be a different person because of these experiences, and that is why I welcome them,” said Dickerson. 

Dickerson does not have a set plan for his stay in Ecuador, but one thing he does have in mind is just to find a novelty in his everyday life.

“I urge all of you to look at your life and find a novelty in your daily experiences.”

Dickerson does not have any firm plans as of right now; he still needs to apply to colleges during his time in Ecuador. One thing he does know is that his number one school of choice when he returns is UC Berkeley.

For those interested in learning more about the Global Citizen Year program, visit:

https://www.globalcitizenyear.org