Gap year student and Travel Access Project grant recipient Michelle Zhang used her year to become fluent in Spanish while spending time in Guatemala, Mexico, Columbia and Peru. She began by studying at a language school on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala and bonding with her host family. She then went on to intern in Oaxaca Mexico with the EnVia Foundation, an organization that empowers women through microloans. As if that wasn’t enough, she then went on to backpack solo for two months in Columbia and Peru, making friends and conquering challenging treks along the way.
Guatemala
Spanish School: Jabel Tinamit
Michelle’s paintings of her homestay family:
Oaxaca, Mexico
Michelle worked for EnVia Foundation -> take a tour with them if you go to Oaxaca!
Columbia & Peru
Michelle’s favorite spots:
Michelle’s treks: Choquequirao (unknown sister of Machu Picchu) and Salkantay Trek
Plan ahead for Machu Picchu and get your pass ahead of time (at least a week!)
Michelle’s pick for hiking shoes:
Don’t forget: Travel Access Project grants will reopen in Feb 2019!
See also: Gap Year Association Financial Aid page