Boston-London Students Share Gap Semester Experiences
This semester, Boston University College of General Studies asked Boston-London Program students to share their gap semester experiences for the #My100Days campaign. Because students enter Boston University in January, the Boston-London program program allows students the opportunity to study abroad during their freshman year. After taking a gap semester in the fall, students arrive at BU in January and then travel to London for the summer term to complete their second semester. #My100Days shows how these students have been spending their gap semester before arriving at BU. Many have submitted their photos and stories about their experiences so far.
Jordan Williams contributed interviews and photos to a 224-page Classroom Index published by Princeton Choose, “a student-led organization aiming to overcome racism and inspire harmony through exposure, education, and empowerment.” Jordan is also Lead Business & Marketing Strategist for the Movez app.
Olivia Tyler is studying French in Grenoble, France – a city surrounded by the French Alps. Her photo shows a beautiful view after a hike in the mountains.
Benjamin Levy was a fellow for the Clinton campaign at his local Democratic office in Camden County, New Jersey. He stayed busy by monitoring volunteers, phone-banking voters in NJ and PA, doing voter registration and database management, and more. A few perks: meeting Senator Cory Booker, and attending a rally with President Obama.
Nicole Pikulik, at a service trip in Thailand, volunteered at the Home and Life Orphanage and then with the Elephant Care project. She worked up close with rescued elephants and helped with a wildlife project as well.
Belle Ferro “climbed to her room in the sky the other night” during her two-week visit to Peru with her mother. After returning home, she decided to study to become a veterinary assistant for next summer.
Wendy Arroyo is making the most of the gap semester “by interning at a global firm and gaining all kinds of experience (and money).”
Jill O’Leary decided to visit her home country during her gap semester: “I decided to travel to Ireland for #My100Days off as I was born in Cork and most of my family still lives there. I moved to the states when I was young, but to me there is no place like Ireland because it is my home!”
Georgia Hough shared a photo of one of her many travels in this semester. She visited her sister in Florence after traveling to Spain and Switzerland. Other places on her list include Italy and Australia!
Elisa Cifiello helped with a charity gala for her internship at the International Institute of New England, an organization that offered humanitarian relief, English language learning, employment, skills training, and citizenship programs to over 2,000 refugees and immigrants last year.
Catherine Monroy is spending her 100 days interning Elizabeth Warren’s Senate office. She is excited to learn more about a Senate office: “This internship is also giving me greater insight to the inner workings of our federal government.”
Maia Sowers provided a quote about her experiences: “Taking classes at UPitt and sitting on the floor reading. Oh, and counting down the days until I can move into BU.
Julia Samuelian is spending her semester working hard:”I’m working at Dickson Bros Hardware during my gap semester. On to BU in January!”
Caroline Bullock went to Peru and volunteered at the Taricaya Ecological Reserve, where they strive to conserve the Amazon rainforest, including the plants and animals that inhabit that region. Her main job was to feed the animals, clean their cages every day, and make sure that their lives are full and happy.
Taryn Bles shared some words about her volunteer experience: “Spending #my100days in Thailand during volunteer work for three weeks was the best choice I could have ever made. The people I have met and helped have left such an amazing mark on me in only just a week so far.”
Class of 2020, keep sending in your #My100Days experiences. And we welcome you to BU in January!