Global Citizen Year is a non-profit organization which is building a movement of young Americans who engage in a transformative “bridge year” between high school and college. Through an innovative cross-sector model that partners with high schools and colleges in the US, and NGOs around the world, we create opportunities for emerging leaders to work as apprentices in Asia, Africa and Latin America. By providing intensive training and support, we ensure that our Fellows develop an ethic of service, the ability to communicate across languages and cultures, and a deep commitment to becoming agents for social change.

The model was conceptualized by Abby Falik, a social innovator who has dedicated her professional life to expanding opportunities for young Americans to learn about the world. Incubated at Harvard Business School with a team of graduate students from across Harvard and MIT, today the Global Citizen Year team has grown to include leading experts in social enterprise, global development, international education and exchange, and higher education.