Bridge Year location: Costa Rica
Academic focus: possibly Anthropology or Comparative Literature
Hi everyone! My name is Narges (she/her). I was a participant in the Costa Rica program and am a current freshman looking to possibly major in Anthropology or Comparative Literature. I was born in Iran, but I have lived in Vermont for most of my life. I chose Bridge Year because I was extremely burnt out after high school, and I had always wanted to take a gap year but didn't have the financial means to achieve it myself. During my time in Costa Rica, I worked with an organization called Casa de la Mujer, which was a resource center for women who had experienced domestic violence. At that organization, I did everything from teach English to design publicity materials. My interactions with the women there were definitely formative, and I experienced firsthand the extreme kindness of people who are in the worst situations. My experience in Costa Rica has driven my interest in social justice work, especially centered around indigenous communities in the Americas and the historical effects of colonization. Outside of my worksite, I enjoyed spending time with my host family, exploring my hobbies such as photography and creative writing, and exploring new hikes in the beautiful Costa Rican nature. My experience in Bridge Year has taught me many skills, both practical and abstract, so please feel free to ask any questions about both the application process and the actual experience of Bridge Year.
What advice would you give to prospective Bridge Year applicants?
I would advise prospective Bridge Year applicants to consider why they feel that Bridge Year is the right fit for them! This program encourages a lot of growth, and a different kind of growth than the first year of college. You will be challenged to be more self-reliant and confident in your own choices than you've probably been in your life, but leaning in and trusting the experience is something that I'll never regret.
What did you learn through your participation in Bridge Year?
My Bridge Year experience taught me a lot of things, but one of the most important was the value that staying for just that one conversation will never be a bad thing. Some of the most formative experiences I had were speaking to people that I never expected to meet, and sharing things I didn't expect to be open about. Whether it be on the way to work or in my host family, I learned so much from people whose life experiences seemed to be completely different to mine.