At first, it looked as if Allison was all set to follow the traditional route of the North American student: First high school, then college, then a job. Something about that trajectory didn’t feel quite right to Allison, however. When she learned she could take a semester off between high school and college, she jumped at the chance. She chose an EF Gap Year program in Costa Rica that offered hands-on experience in sustainable development through community-driven environmental projects.

Inspired by her experience and interest in sustainable development, Allison went on to study leadership at the UN University for Peace in San Jose, Costa Rica. Her time there revealed that she could connect her interest in development with leadership, cementing her decision to go on to study sustainable development in college.

The following year, Allison had an opportunity to join the EF Gap Year team as an Alumni Intern, developing a Responsible Travel Guide for EF Gap Year students. “My journey with EF seems to have come full circle,” she says. “After experiencing responsible travel in Costa Rica first-hand, I had the opportunity to pass that knowledge along to future students.”

Today, Allison is planning her next global adventure after a recent trip to Belize with EF Ultimate Break.