Hello from Spain! Maisie Frost here from the Class of ’24, missing Dilijan a lot and giving you an update on the path I've taken since UWC. I knew when I graduated I wanted to take a gap year so I had more time to make a good decision about university. I had no plans until I got an email about Baret Scholars, a global gap-year programme that was taking applications for its inaugural year.

Alongside Elena and Nico (also Class of ’24), we were all awarded a full scholarship for this programme. We couldn’t quite believe it, but we decided to take the risk and I know none of us regret it. We spent the past year travelling to almost every continent with 100 other inspiring students. It was messy, fascinating, and very fun!

My favourite memory was a week we spent on a boat down the Rio Negro in the Amazon Rainforest. It was unbelievable. And speaking to the local Greenpeace team in Manaus was very eyeopening but so heartbreaking (I'm still a SustCo advocate, Samvel, don't worry!).

 

But of course that wasn’t enough for me, so I’ve decided to take a second solo gap year. So far I’ve been visiting friends scattered across Europe and the universities I'm considering. Now I’m doing a Workaway on an off-grid farm in Spain. I work for a few hours a day, gaining experience, and in return my hosts let me stay with them and cook me delicious food.

For the next few months I’ll continue to look for these kinds of opportunities in Morocco, Brazil, and hopefully Colombia. I go to the university of people, places, and my own brain. It’s not quite the usual path, but I’m learning a lot and building immense experience.

My advice to anyone reading this, at any stage of life, is to take a gap year. I promise it will change your life for the better, and it costs a lot less than you expect.

Contact me at maisieakosua@gmail.com to keep in touch or if you have any questions.