<p>Princeton encourages students to have international experiences. The current president, Shirley Tilghman taught for two years in Sierra Leone through the Canadian Peace Corp. In Sierra Leone she met her future husband, a Peace Corp volunteer. She started the Bridge Year program to increase cross cultural knowledge. [Bridge</a> Year Program](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/bridgeyear/]Bridge”>Novogratz Bridge Year Program | Office of International Programs) and [Cherry</a> Hill West graduate headed to Senegal before Princeton - Philly.com](<a href=“Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes”>Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes) </p>
<p>I believe that over half of all Princeton students have an international experience during their four years at Princeton. Princeton has a summer French program at Annecy France. Princeton operates the Mpala Research Center and Wildlife Foundation in Kenya. [Mpala</a> Research Centre -*Grand Challenges](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/grandchallenges/development/mpala/]Mpala”>Grand Challenges - High Meadows Environmental Institute) The department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers a Tropical Biology course in Kenya. [Tropical</a> Biology in Kenya](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/eeb/undergraduate-studies/programs-of-studies/tropical-biology-in-kenya/]Tropical”>http://www.princeton.edu/eeb/undergraduate-studies/programs-of-studies/tropical-biology-in-kenya/) </p>
<p>The Princeton in Africa Program places graduates in service jobs throughout Africa. [Princeton</a> in Africa « Service for a Year. Commitment for a Lifetime.](<a href=“http://www.princetoninafrica.org/]Princeton”>http://www.princetoninafrica.org/) </p>
<p>I agree that it would be difficult to make an essay about eating disorders uplifting and positive. If you write about your decision to work in Senegal you should be aware the adcoms maybe wondering why you choose to go to Senegal in lieu of the Bridge year program. Or would being an EEB major in Africa be better use of your time. Why did you choose Senegal instead of Quebec? Your reasons for a gap year must be authentic and not appear to be resume padding.</p>
<p>Interviews for SCEA candidates are conducted in December. Will you be in Africa or in the States during that period?</p>
<p>You have a strong application. Your essay must convey your serious well thought out reasons for taking a gap year.</p>