Princeton's Pilot Bridge-Year Program

<p>I'm a Princeton RD applicant, so it may be presumptuous for me to write this, but hey, just a heads-up to you guys.</p>

<p>Princeton is piloting a bridge-year program where students spend their freshman year abroad, serving the community. FA is available for students who qualify for Princeton's FA program. There are locations all around the world, with varying areas of contribution.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Princeton</a> University - Bridge Year participants to serve in Peru, Ghana, Serbia and India
Administrators of Princeton University's new Bridge Year Program have selected three program partners and four locations around the world where students who have accepted an offer of admission to the University will spend a tuition-free enrichment period focused on public service.</p>

<p>The program will launch this spring when 20 entering freshmen are selected for the pilot group to defer their enrollment and spend nine months abroad beginning this fall. A total of 100 students eventually will be accommodated each year.</p>

<p>The partners and locations that have been selected are:</p>

<pre><code>* ProWorld Service Corps in Urubamba, Peru.
* World Learning in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana.
* World Learning in Novi Sad and Niš, Serbia.
* Where There Be Dragons in Varanasi, India.
</code></pre>

<p>"Bridge Year students will be exposed to a variety of community-based development projects and will work closely with on-site staff to identify and develop an individualized service placement at a school, social service agency, community center or other local service organization," said John Luria, director of the Bridge Year Program. "We hope that this experience will give students both an international perspective and a deep appreciation for the importance of serving society and the world."

[/quote]
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<p>If I get into Princeton, I will definitely apply for the program in Peru. :) Anyone else interested in this program?</p>

<p>i think it’s a great program idea and it’s awesome that they’re putting it into action for our class. however, i don’t intend to take part. i’m in an unusual position in that i ended up gettin out of hs in 3 yrs and am currently on a gap year (or bridge year, w/e you wanna call it). it has definitely been an amazing experience and i hope that, in time, it becomes much more prevalent throughout the US. but, i think going back to school after spending 30 mo out of it might be a little difficult lol</p>

<p>I would love to go on one of these programs. Taking a gap year from academics has been on my mind since I was a sophomore, and taking the time to learn about the culture of another world community and doing charity work sounds like the perfect way to do something productive during that time off. </p>

<p>Do you know if you have to apply to the programs separately, or do they work with Princeton to get volunteers?</p>

<p>I was under the impression that Princeton would select the students & set most of it up.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE=Cygne]

I was under the impression that Princeton would select the students & set most of it up.

[/quote]

Yes–in fact, all the chosen students will /start off/ with a briefing at Princeton, then head off to the respective countries. From the Princeton website, “The Bridge Year Program will begin in August with a pre-departure orientation at Princeton.”</p>

<p>In addition, here’s more details about the application process:
Princeton applicants for the class of 2013 are expected to learn of admissions decisions at the end of March. Applications for the Bridge Year Program will be due May 13, and students will be notified of placements by June 10. Students will be able to indicate preferred destinations on their applications, and those selected will be offered the chance to participate at a specific site.</p>

<p>First off, I just want to get into Princeton. With all my heart.</p>

<p>After that-- I TOTALLY would want to do the bridge year!! It sounds amazing. But I thought that there was going to be more of a selection of countries-- I would be most interested in Japan. Though I guess there are better service opportunities in Serbia, Peru, Ghana, and India…</p>

<p>Has anyone seen the application… it’s actually so long!</p>