Help Me Volunteer & Study on my Gap Year!

Caitlin MacQueen Start Date: Feb 1, 2024 - End Date: Jul 31, 2024
  • Italy
  • Morocco
  • Ghana
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • India
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Greece
  • Türkiye
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Afghanistan
  • Romania
  • Hungary
  • Scotland, United Kingdom
  • France
  • Spain
  • Thailand

My Travel Story

by: Caitlin MacQueen Start Date: Feb 1, 2024 - End Date: Jul 31, 2024
Hi! My name is Caitlín, I’m a high school senior taking AP college-level courses and am on my school's Honor Roll. I work 2 jobs and own an at-home bakery called Triple C Cakes. This campaign has been set up to help me fund both the travel and volunteer sides of my gap year, and any spare will go to my first year of university at CUNYs John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC. All funding that I’m putting towards this goal will also be posted. I thank the community in advance for any helpful advice, donations, opportunities, or encouragement.
Coming from a mixed multicultural and socioeconomic background, I want to take a gap year to study and give aid in the most beautiful and diverse corners of the world. During my gap year (possibly through the Semester at Seas program), I not only plan to begin my undergraduate education, but also give my time and energy to volunteer at every stop or port along the way. Though I realize the weight of this cost, I have decided that the value of in-person and multicultural education I will receive in September of 2024 is well worth the funding. It is also my intention to bring back with me all my experiences to further spread cultural awareness and expand DEI events, studies, and activities here in the tri-state (NY, NJ ,PA)  area. I have attached part of my application essay for further information.


Navigating My Roots: A Journey Towards Personal Global Odyssey

For me, embarking on a gap year is like standing at the intersection of my past, present, and future. The allure of a gap year program beckons to me as an unparalleled adventure that aligns seamlessly with my aspirations for a holistic education and a broader worldview. Coming from a diverse tapestry of African & Native American, British, and Scottish heritage, I see this journey as a unique opportunity to bridge the gaps in my understanding of other people's diverse backgrounds and further connect with the world around me on a deep and meaningful level. The prospect of navigating the globe with Semester at Sea or another gap year program is not just about traversing oceans and learning to travel and explore alone, but about connecting the threads of my own cultural tapestry with the vibrant stories and rich cultures of the countries I hope to explore. As a gap year student, it is my deepest wish that the dynamic learning environment of the sea and continents will hold the promise of expanding my horizons beyond the confines of a traditional academic setting and, more importantly, of weaving together the colourful, interlinked, expansive strands of humanity as whole.
  • Italy
  • Morocco
  • Ghana
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • India
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Greece
  • Türkiye
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Afghanistan
  • Romania
  • Hungary
  • Scotland, United Kingdom
  • France
  • Spain
  • Thailand

More Travel Information