Winter
Experience
15 weeks
$19,000
Our Winter Experience helps you build the skills that matter the most. Spend 10 weeks in San Francisco working with a coach and 5 weeks abroad focused on service learning.
Learn Life Skills in San Francisco
PHASE 1: 10 WEEKS
Travel & Volunteer Abroad
PHASE 2: 5 WEEKS
Start your year in San Francisco
PHASE 1: JANUARY 13 - march 23, 2019 | San francisco, ca
Live in San Francisco in our dorms, work in our co-working space in downtown SoMa, and explore the city by the bay. During this time you'll work with coaches and peers to help you gain a better sense of who you are and where you want to go, while developing the skills to get there. You'll also connect with our network of professional advisors who will help you prepare for what's next.
Where you'll go:
San Francisco
WHat you'll DO:
Work with a coach. Narrow your focus. Gain new skills.
what you'll LEARN:
Skills and habits to help to you find confidence, clarity and direction.
What will you do?
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Project-based learning
Learn by doing. Work on projects that you want to work on to help narrow down your interests.
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Learn the skills they don't teach in school, such as time management, public speaking, and managing your finances.
Connect with professional advisors
Meet professionals who can help you learn more about your career aspirations.
Work with a coach
Have a coach with you every step of the way to help you build on your strengths and identify areas of improvement.
How one fellow spent HIS time in San francisco
Rory, 2015 fellow
- 300+ hours working on his own startups
- 45 hours of marketing courses
- 96 hours of life skill workshops
- 10 hours of computer coding
- Received over 2,000 blog views
- Met 7 experts in his desired field
- Attended 13 professional and college events
- Wrote 7,000 words in his blog
Then, head abroad to explore
PHASE 2: MARCH 31 - MAY 4, 2019 | ABROAD
Continue your Winter Experience by setting out to one of our international destinations to work on a service learning project and immerse yourself in a new culture. Choose one of five exciting countries to spend your Explore phase: Tanzania, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, or India.
Where you'll go:
Tanzania, Peru, India, Mexico, or Indonesia
WHat you'll DO:
Live in a volunteer house with peers, and work on a volunteer project to help the local community.
what you'll LEARN:
About other cultures, peoples and places.
Choose one of five locations:
Mérida, Mexico
Mérida is the starting point for a series of journeys into Yucatán and its archaeological treasures. It’s also a thriving town with plenty of good eats, bustling markets, music, dance, peaceful streets, and parks. Mérida offers a small, safe community setting with a wide range of volunteer projects available. This location is great if you already know some Spanish and are looking to improve your language ability.
Service learning Projects
- Teach English
- Environmental protection
- Care for disabled children or adults
- Help with contruction and renovation
- Drive buiness development
- Volunteer at NGO food bank
Want to know more about exploring Mérida?
Download our Mérida field guideDharamsala, India
Perched in the misty highlands beneath the Himalayas, Dharamsala is a market town, lush farmland, and spiritual retreat all in one. The area is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism; the Dalai Lama resides in the next town over. In contrast to the bustle and crowds of most Indian cities, Dharamsala serves as a serene retreat where you can meditate, practice yoga, and make a difference in the community while exploring northern India.
Volunteer Projects
- Teach english
- Caregiving for children
- Youth development
- Women's empowerment
- Teach computer skills
- Construction & renovation
Want to know more about exploring Dharamsala?
Download our Dharamsala field guideMoshi, Tanzania
Sitting in the shadow of Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, Moshi is a small, clean, and vibrant market town. Tanzania's natural beauty is easily accessible from Moshi; you can go on safaris, visit nearby national parks, go mountain climbing, or check out the local hot springs and waterfalls. The city itself is low-key and provides a safe environment to volunteer with locals from the Maasai and Chagga tribes.
Volunteer Projects
- Teach english
- Environmental conservation
- Care for disabled children
- Teach computer skills
Want to know more about exploring Moshi?
Download our Moshi field guideBali, Indonesia
Bali is a tropical island paradise with white sand beaches, rice paddies, coral reefs, lush jungle, and volcanic mountains. You’ll stay in a small remote fishing village where you’ll interact with the local community and culture daily through your volunteer activities. In your free time, you can make the most of the warm weather, friendly locals, and laid-back lifestyle by exploring ancient temples, taking a yoga class, or hiking waterfalls.
Volunteer Projects
- Teach english
- Teach music & dance
- Teach computer skills
- Teach arts & crafts
- Teach and coach sports
Want to know more about exploring Bali?
Download our Bali field guideHuanchaco, Peru
Huanchaco is a quaint and relaxed beach town on the coast of northern Peru with a history dating back to the original Peruvian civilizations. Once the home to indigenous fishermen, it is now a World Surfing Reserve known for its traditional reed fishing boats, long calm waves for surfing, and ceviche. The surrounding area is still in need of much development and you can assist in a variety of volunteer projects.
Volunteer Projects
- Teach english
- Care for disabled children
- Women's empowerment
- Youth development
- Teach music
- Environmental protection and education
Want to know more about exploring Huanchaco?
Download our Huanchaco field guideDharamsala, India
Perched in the misty highlands beneath the Himalayas, Dharamsala is a market town, lush farmland, and spiritual retreat all in one. The area is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism; the Dalai Lama resides in the next town over. In contrast to the bustle and crowds of most Indian cities, Dharamsala serves as a serene retreat where fellows can meditate, practice yoga, and make a difference in the community while exploring northern India.
Volunteer Projects
- Teach english
- Environmental conservation
- Care for disabled children
- Teach computer skills
Want to know more about exploring DHARAMSALA?
Download our Dharamsala field guideOther Programs
Year Experience
Looking to take a full gap? Check out our Year Experience that starts in October.
YEAR Experience
