February 9, 2025
By: Camey VanSant
By Akira By now, I’ve lost count of the number of times friends and family have asked, “Hey, how’s your gap year going so far?” more times than I can count. At first, I’m tempted to just say, “It’s been...
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February 4, 2025
By: Camey VanSant
By Alícia Recently, I came across a thought-provoking question: When was the last time you paused and recalculated the route of your life, like a GPS? It struck a chord and prompted reflection on my own journey. Just last summer,...
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January 24, 2025
By: Camey VanSant
By Tristan Hey guys, my name is Tristan and I'm Dutch/French from London. I'm very excited to come to Duke in August and will probably be pursuing a mix of either Psychology, Economics or Middle Eastern Studies. I think the...
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January 12, 2025
By: Camey VanSant
By Jimena Four months ago, I arrived in Belgium, experiencing a blend of excitement and anxiety. I had left behind all that was familiar—my home, my friends, my language—and embraced a new life that I had only envisioned based on...
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December 28, 2024
By: Camey VanSant
By Ian Hi! My name is Ian, and I am from San Diego, California. It was difficult to decide whether I wanted to take a gap year or go straight to Duke, especially since all my friends were going to...
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December 21, 2024
By: Camey VanSant
By Alexa Since I first joined Ballet Idaho’s trainee program at the end of August, I think my dancing has become unrecognizable. Upon arrival, I danced like a student. Very academic and placed, but with none of the maturity that...
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December 15, 2024
By: Camey VanSant
By Thomas (2023-24 cohort) With my 4 months in DC done, I was embarking on my next adventure – a ski season in Jackson Hole. After some lovely family time over the Christmas holiday, I stayed behind to start working...
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November 28, 2024
By: Camey VanSant
By Jiaheng (2023-24 cohort) As the guitar instrumentals of Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime” reverberated in the empty hostel lobby, I hastily strapped on my 50 liter backpack and scurried to the train station. It was 4:30 am in Stockholm...
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November 26, 2024
By: Camey VanSant
By Anson This year has brought me as close to being a shapeshifter as I may ever experience. I have been a tourist and worker in familiar American cities, an imaginary Viking in Reykjavik, and a farmer and explorer in...
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November 24, 2024
By: Camey VanSant
By Griffin My name is Griffin, and I’m from New Canaan, Connecticut. Throughout this past fall, I completed an outdoor education program in the Pacific Northwest with the nonprofit, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). I spent 80 days in the...
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