About Laura-Lynn

Laura-Lynn will be a featured blogger on our site over the next six months as she travels to a half dozen countries and twenty cities around the world making new friends, performing and volunteering with the multicultural education program Up With People. We are excited to have Laura-Lynn share her story and inspire others to plan a gap year!

Recently graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in May '08' with a degree in musical theater. Laura-Lynn says, "I am taking six months to perform with the cast, travel, and make connections all over the world, but mainly to have some time to think about what I want to do in the future...I chose Up with People because it is not only a performing group, but a global leadership program..and I knew it would be a great time for personal growth and reflection." Laura-Lynn helped pay for this gap year experience by organizing a benefit concert, donations from family and friends, and a scholarship from Up with People.

LauraLynn's blog

Gap Year Journey Winds Down in Philippines; New Job Begins

Filipino Children: Photo Courtesy of Up with People

Holy cow! I can't believe I've been home in Nebraska for over a week now. It's hardly been enough time to even process the amazing experience that I had in the Philippines. We arrived in Manila after a very very long travel day out of my hometown, North Platte, Nebraska. It was really hard to leave my family again, but I knew that I was going to love Manila. Anyway, I ended up being hosted at Ateneo de Manila University… in the dorms. That was an experience! The girls whose room I shared had completely different hours than me so they were asleep when I woke up to leave and asleep when I came home after our busy days.

Post-College Gap Year Experience Leads to Full Time Management Job

Laura-Lynn & two of her Cast Members: Photo Courtesy of Up with People

I'm currently sitting in LAX airport in Los Angeles with a 12-hour layover waiting for my flight to Manila, Philippines.  Our American tour ended last night leaving three of our cast members behind as they move on to other adventures…and leaving many of the remaining in tears.  It was a very emotional few days as the American tour came to a close.  We all have grown so close to each other that it's hard to think there is only one month left.  So, I left off in Colorado Springs.  After the Springs we headed to Salt Lake City, Utah.  I spent the week living with Daniella from Mexico with a totally amazing Mormon family.  We toured the Temple Square and I was overloaded with so much information about the Mormon religion that I couldn't wait to have discussions with fellow castmates.  It's ama

Up with People Volunteers Positively Impact Communities in American Southwest

Albuquerque Balloon Festival: Courtesy Up with People

First of all sorry it's taken so long to blog.  I've been without Internet for the past two weeks.  Life on the road sure keeps me on my toes.  I just finished my two-week internship as a member of the advance team.  I had the chance to travel 2 weeks ahead of our cast and help in the set-up of Sahuarita, Arizona…our first city back in the United States after Mexico.

Culture Shock in Cabo for Gap Year Volunteer

Los Cabos, Mexico: Photo courtesy of Up with People

So, I had a bit of culture shock in when we arrived in our 2nd Mexican City. Cabo San Lucas. I was with my first host family that didn't speak a word of English and being that I don't speak much Spanish, communication was difficult. Also, there were quite a few people coming in and out of the house due to my host mom's open door policy and I'm not really sure who actually lived in my home. Haha. It was kind of awkward, but a total learning and growth experience. I'm learning how to communicate without words. I took an hour to show my host mom a book about Nebraska and I also showed her some pictures of home and friends. I wanted to feel as though she knew me a bit more.

Mexican Sushi, Rose Petal Ice Cream and Community Impact

Up With People Cast Members at Beach in La Paz, Mexico: Photo Courtesy of Up With People

Hola friends! I’m currently in La Paz, Mexico preparing to leave for Cabo San Lucas tomorrow morning!!!  I will take some time time to wrap up Breckenridge and the first week in Mexico!

Up With People Blogger Debuts on Planet Gap Year

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been three weeks already. It seems like yesterday when I arrived a day late and was thrown into the crazy world of Up with People. Up With People is a performing and global leadership program.