araseli

About Araseli Valverde

Campus Y

Public Apology

The following post was written by Bridge Year Fellow Araseli Valverde.

I recognize that I am doing an amazing thing by living in Italy for six months. I’ve recently set the intention not to ruin it by running away from my faults or feeling any negative energy towards myself. So much has happened during my journey exploring the world, but I wanted to take some time to explore the journey that I’m also experiencing within.
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This public apology is to someone who I have undervalued. This public apology is to someone who I have put through a lot. This public apology is for someone who has deserved an apology for a long time, but has never received it until now. This public apology is for me.

I am finally taking the time to apologize to myself because I grew up learning to say “sorry” to just about everyone else – my sisters, […]

By |March 9th, 2018|Gappers in the Field|
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For Freedom

The following post was written by Bridge Year Fellow Araseli Valverde.

Why are you taking a gap year?

To me, the answer is as simple as taking in a deep breath. I am taking a gap year because I need to know what true freedom means, and what it actually feels like.

People always say that once you graduate from high school the world will be at your fingertips ready for you. However, I’ve always felt that society pressures and practically requires students to pursue higher education. Thus, you spend your high school years stressing about advanced classes, volunteer hours, clubs, college applications, and scholarships, etc. Then, once you’re finally in college you continue to stress about the transition of moving, the rigorous courses, internships, fellowships, awards, more clubs, programs, events, jobs, textbooks, apartments, dorms, and much more. Once again, you wait for graduation in hopes that the stress will end, because […]

By |September 1st, 2017|Pre-departure|
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