Description

Thinking Beyond Borders empowers and inspires students through education to address critical global issues. Our gap year programs provide learning and personal growth opportunities unlike any other. Explore the challenges and solutions to critical global issues in communities around the world. This unparalleled two-semester program includes extended living, service learning, and academic study in four core countries, each followed by an exciting enrichment week:

Ecuador - Natural Resources & the Environment
Peru Enrichment: Trek to Machu Picchu
China - Education
Cambodia Enrichment: Tour Angkor Wat
India - Sustainable Agriculture
India Enrichment: Explore the Taj Mahal
South Africa - HIV/AIDS & Public Health
South Africa Enrichment: Go on Safari
USA - Culmination

Culmination in the USA brings the learning and growth together through meetings with policy makers at the IMF, World Bank, US Congress, and other development agencies in Washington, D.C. The program concludes with opportunities to reflect upon and share your learning. Each program group includes 16 students and 3 highly qualified Program Leaders.

Highlights

You'll gain new perspectives by living and working with people in developing communities facing real issues. Program Leaders with Master's degrees in International Development and education will support your learning with seminars and 1-on-1 mentoring. The combination of fieldwork, homestays, and academic study will challenge your view of the world and yourself. Our programs will help you find:

Direction - Gain focus for college by working alongside experts in various fields and discovering new ways to impact our world.
Passion - Renew your love of learning and sense of purpose in an environment where everything has meaning.
Awareness - Live with families in a variety of cultures to understand their joys, challenges, and values.
Learning - Take ownership of your education in programs that integrate experiential learning, a university level curriculum, and personal exploration.
Community - Form a fellowship of highly motivated peers who are determined to shape the world in which they live.

Qualifications

Thinking Beyond Borders (TBB) offers intensive Gap Year programs. They are both academic and service focused. Students will live, work, and learn in a variety of unique and challenging environments. Applicants must have a high degree of academic and personal motivation and the ability to adjust to different social and cultural norms. They should also possess the maturity to engage in conversation with representatives from institutions like the UN, World Bank and IMF, as well as to make presentations to educational and community organizations.

Our application process is thorough and specific to ensure Thinking Beyond Borders programs are right for you. Due to the limited capacity of the programs, it is also a very selective process.

Students must earn a High School Diploma before participating in a Thinking Beyond Borders program. No more than one full academic year may pass between the time of High School graduation and enrollment in Thinking Beyond Borders and students must be between 17 and 20 years of age.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

29,500

Cost Includes:

• Travel while in host country
• Housing
• Food
• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Thinking Beyond Borders programs are high-quality, powerful learning experiences. Overseeing the safety of all participants, providing professional staff, and ensuring appropriate learning environments are of the utmost importance. Tuition for TBB programs is all inclusive except airfare. The tuition for the two semester Global Gap Year program is 29,500. Airfare for the Global Gap Year averages around 5,000, though it can vary based on itineraries and fuel costs.

THIS INCLUDES:

International SOS Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance
Visa and entry fees
Food
Accommodation
Transportation
Educational components
Enrichment activities

All international airline tickets are purchased by TBB to ensure the lowest possible cost and that the group is always together. A separate invoice for airfare will be sent to you in the summer preceding your program. Unfortunately, frequent flyer miles cannot be used for these tickets because they are purchased at group discount rates.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Thinking Beyond Borders (TBB) offers intensive Gap Year programs. They are both academic and service focused. Students will live, work, and learn in a variety of unique and challenging environments. Applicants must have a high degree of academic and personal motivation and the ability to adjust to different social and cultural norms. They should also possess the maturity to engage in conversation with representatives from institutions like the UN, World Bank and IMF, as well as to make presentations to educational and community organizations. Our application process is thorough and specific to ensure Thinking Beyond Borders programs are right for you. Due to the limited capacity of the programs, it is also a very selective process. Students must earn a High School Diploma before participating in a Thinking Beyond Borders program. No more than one full academic year may pass between the time of High School graduation and enrollment in Thinking Beyond Borders and students must be between 17 and 20 years of age.

Age Range

17-20

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 16

Scholarships are Available

Through our commitment to make Thinking Beyond Borders programs accessible to the most qualified applicants, we offer limited need-based financial aid. Similar to colleges and universities this requires submission of Parents' Financial Statements.

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

4 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Thinking Beyond Borders's Mission Statement

Thinking Beyond Borders empowers and inspires students through education to address critical global issues. Our gap year programs are rich environments for learning and personal growth. With TBB, students find purpose, intellectual passions, and a supportive community of committed friends and educators who are determined to improve our world.

Year Founded

2007