My 18 Months Leave of Absence from Cornell University

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After completing my sophomore year at Cornell University in May 2019, I decided to take time off from school. The idea of taking a gap year was always on my mind, even before going to Cornell. There were many reasons that made me take this decision: Feeling the need to focus on my own growth, my entrepreneurial spirit that made me want to go prototype a business idea in Morocco, and also the need to escape the cold of Ithaca 😂

I didn’t have a detailed plan for my gap year. But I knew that I wanted to travel, reflect and grow, prototype a business in Morocco, and I also knew that I wanted to think of what I want to do post-university. No one could have ever predicted that Covid would happen but I can’t deny that it didn’t impact my leave of absence negatively. In fact, exactly half of my leave of absence was during pre-covid times and the other half was during covid.

In this article, I will share with you the highlights of my leave of absence: travels & discoveries, my entrepreneurial & community service experiences, professional and learning experiences. My writing skills aren’t the best but I will do my best to make it clear, interesting, and straight-forward. At the end of this article, I will share 10 pieces of advice for students who are interested in taking a gap year, how I financed my leave and I will expand more on my path forward. If you have any question or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact me at gj79@cornell.edu

This is an article that I am writing for myself to document the past 18 months I spent but also to share my experiences & learning with others and hopefully inspire people to take time off and focus on themselves.

Let’s go!

Conferences and Trips

My leave of absence from Cornell has been marked with travels, trips, and conferences to 10 countries on 4 continents: From Mexico, China, Philippines, France, Egypt, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, to my own country Morocco. Every trip was different. Some of them represented an opportunity to reconnect with myself while discovering new places, and others represented important learning opportunities for me.

For the purpose of this article, I will focus on the three countries that have impacted me the most.

Philippines

This country inspired me the most in so many ways!

After attending the Asia Africa Entrepreneurs Summit in Beijing, China, my best friend and I decided to book a 60$ return flight to Palawan Island for a few days. Ranked one of the most beautiful islands in the world, the magic of the island left me in awe. My closest friends know how much I love Asian countries, but the Philippines took that appreciation to a higher level! What I liked the most on my arrival day was the people. The majority of the locals spoke English, and were helpful and welcoming! From my interaction with them, it was clear how modest they are and how they didn’t have any intention to exploit tourists.

On my last day in the Philippines, we visited Manila and attended the 10 years celebration of the Philippines Tourism Act. As an aspiring Hospitality Development professional, I have been deeply inspired by the Philippines government’s efforts to develop its tourism sector over the last decade. Foreign visitors traveling to the Philippines increased from 3 million tourists in 2009 to 8.5 million tourists in 2019! The Philippines is a complex market with 7100 islands and very diverse tourism offerings. While there are still many opportunities for growth, I believe that the strategy developed by the government through the Tourism Act was very successful, mainly in focusing on empowering locals to contribute to the tourism sector, and having the local economy benefit from the growth of tourism.

The Philippines will always hold a special place in my heart and I am looking forward to going back there one day.

Egypt

I visited Egypt on a fully-funded trip to attend the World Youth Forum (WEF) 2019 in Sharm Sheikh. While I have attended many conferences and big events all around the world, the WEF 2019 is the one I have appreciated most so far. The conference surprised me on so many levels: The 5000 participants, the team, the organization, the speakers and panels, the programs offered, and the many innovative ideas that were implemented during the conference! It is clear that the government and private sponsors invested a significant amount of money and time in planning this event. While I have learned a lot from this event, I have also been impressed by the impact of such events on the growth of the country. On a macro level, I believe that these types of events have a significant impact on the image and the attractiveness of a country, especially for my generation.

We can see many other countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, China … holding similar strategies to rebuild their image and attract foreign visitors. I believe using such strategies Post-Covid could bring a lot of value to countries looking to rebuild their image and tourism sector!

After the conference, I had the opportunity to visit beautiful Cairo and like any other tourist, I have been impressed with the majestic monuments of this place. Egypt and its people mean a lot to me and I hope to explore this beautiful country even more.

Singapore

Words can’t express my love for Singapore! I have lived in 4 different countries ( Morocco, South Africa, the USA, and Singapore) but Singapore is the only country I was able to call home only one month after living there. I have never witnessed a country with such powerful diversity, development, high quality of life, competent government, and a great system. I have been inspired by this country in so many ways whether it is by how the government embodies diversity, protects its people, gets them to respect the law, or contributes to improving society as a whole. I was even more impressed by how the government managed this global pandemic and protected the jobs and wellbeing of their citizens.

I would also like to break some stereotypes. The cost of living is not as high as people may believe! Many basic necessities in Singapore are less expensive than in my home country, Morocco. The law isn’t as strict as people think it is! The law is merely based on doing the right thing and respecting others (Who doesn’t like that?). Finally, there are many things to do in Singapore, it’s not a boring place! During my last months there, I was still discovering new places and activities :)

Originally, I was supposed to spend three to four months in Singapore but I had to extend it to seven months due to international borders closing and I couldn’t be more grateful for that! I could spend pages and hours sharing with you my experience in Singapore. And I really hope I will get to spend a few years there after I graduate from university.

Truly, the world has so much to learn from Singapore!

Entrepreneurial and Community Service Experiences:

MYSEC 2019

In the summer of 2019, I led the 4th edition of the Moroccan Youth Social Entrepreneurs Camp and Conference — An initiative I started to empower the Moroccan youth to develop soft skills and an entrepreneurial mindset. I have personally learned a lot by leading MYSEC for the past 5 years: I met leaders in the International and Moroccan entrepreneurial ecosystem and connected with highly qualified students who have the potential to have a lasting impact on the development of our country. What I love the most about MYSEC is the team! It is truly the most dedicated and hard-working team I have ever collaborated with.

The 4th edition of our program was very special; the participants of the Camp worked and developed very interesting projects. I was particularly excited to witness the growth of our participants from the first day of the 4 weeks online program to the last days of the Camp when the MYSEConference is held. The MYSEConference invites international and national keynote speakers from both the public and private sectors. It also provides a platform for young people to meet and connect with inspiring players in the Moroccan entrepreneurial scene.

While 2020 was a very quiet year for MYSEC due to the restrictions to contain the spread of Covid, we used this time to refine our strategy. I am currently looking forward to the launch of the MYSEC Academy, a new long-term program for MYSEC that has the potential to have a long term impact on young Moroccans.

MYSECenter

One of the major projects I was hoping to develop during my gap year was the MYSECenter. The concept was simple, my team and I were hoping to develop a co-living and co-working space to host aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers.

My team and I have been conducting market research to develop the center’s concept, started raising funds for it, and we were very excited about it until we realized a very important part: the legal aspect! I found out that there is no legal way to develop the project the way I intended to. The only way to make it happen was to join the black market and rent rooms illegally. What surprised us the most was how competitive the black market was; a lot of rooms were available at very low prices. Due to the legal complications, we decided to give up on the idea and focus on our programs. Our decision to not pursue this project was reinforced when I met with a leader from an international firm who was trying to implement a similar idea and gave up due to local regulations.

This experience taught me that as entrepreneurs, especially in developing countries, it is crucial to look at the legal side of any business opportunity and the black market. I am sure we could have generated money if we decided to run the business illegally but that wasn’t my main objective. I also learned about the difficulties young entrepreneurs face; it is very hard to get trusted by landlords and potential partners. Finally, I came to the conclusion that it might not be the right time for me to start a business in Morocco.

Global Shapers Rabat Hub

This leave of absence was an opportunity to reconnect with a group of people that means a lot to me: the Rabat Global Shapers Community! It’s a group of inspiring individuals who are passionate about bringing change to their community. During my stay in Morocco, I had the opportunity to work on impactful projects and attend very thoughtful community dinners.

The project that marked me the most is We4She, a Girls’ empowerment project. In partnership with the Dutch embassy & on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, we had the pleasure of welcoming 5 amazing women to inspire 30 high school girls that came from different social backgrounds. Afterward, through a design thinking workshop, we helped the young girls find solutions to the major issues they may face in their daily lives. A heartwarming day that proved how ready youngsters are to make a possible and a better tomorrow. I am extremely excited for the future of this project and the impact it can have on the role of women in the development of our country.

Aider Sans Limite (ASL)

If you would ask me what experience changed my life the most, I would say Aider Sans Limite by far! It’s a Moroccan NGO I co-founded with some friends at the age of 14 years old and led before attending the African Leadership Academy in South Africa. Through ASL, I learned soft transferable skills I have been using for years including leadership, teamwork, communication, confidence, and organization.

When I came back to Morocco last semester and with a recommendation from the current president, I took on the role of Vice President. I was also in charge of the Human resources section of the organization. I led the recruitment of new members, orientation, and a team engagement strategy to encourage the team to contribute to the growth of the organization. I am extremely proud of the work the team has done and the impact we have achieved during our last event: Winter Caravane 2021.

Two months ago, the ASL Team had the opportunity to visit 2 schools in a village near Azrou. We were shocked to find schools without running water, bathrooms, electricity, and in a very devastating state, in addition to teachers living in bad conditions! Following the visit, Aider Sans Limite was committed to renovating the classes and the professors’ rooms to meet international standards.

The 23rd and 24th of January marked the opening of one of the renovated schools and we distributed over 12 Tons of food, 4800 pieces of cloths, and 1200 warm blankets to 400 families in the mountains. While I am very delighted with the work we have done, there is still much to do. Many families are still living in terrible conditions, and some schools around the country are still lacking very basic needs to operate. This is a call to NGOs, the private and public sector to work hand in hand to create sustainable change in our country!

On a different note, I would like to mention how proud I am of the social and economical development Morocco has achieved over the past 20 years under the leadership of his majesty King Mohamed 6. With very limited resources, Morocco has made a significant amount of investment in its infrastructure, economy, and jobs, and also in its tourism sector. I am very hopeful for the future of my country and I can’t wait to have a big contribution to its development.

Professional Experience: Internship at Marina Bay Sand (MBS) — Singapore

After failing to implement the co-living space in Morocco and speaking with some mentors about the need of having more professional experiences, I watched a video by the World Economic Forum talking about how Singapore is the No1 Most competitive economy in the world. I was extremely inspired by the country and ended up going there two months later. After a lot of research, conversations, and interviews, I received an offer to intern in the sustainability team at Marina Bay Sands (MBS). It was an experience I will never forget. I had the honor to work with Roger Simons, Associate Director of sustainability at MBS, on major sustainability projects around the integrated resort. I have been impressed with the effort and investment MBS is making to implement innovative sustainable solutions all around the resort.

This internship was an opportunity for me to develop my professional skills and identify some opportunities for growth. I really enjoyed working with a very diverse team and learning-by-doing as I never had any experience in sustainability. The experience opened my eyes to the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry and the value of engaging 10 000 team members to lead and act on the basis of sustainability!

My internship was supposed to last 3 months but it was extended to 6 months due to Covid-19 and borders’ closure. During this time, I witnessed phenomenal leadership by the MBS Senior management team to support all team members after the closure of the property. All team members started working from home, the operation team had special programs for them and continued to get paid throughout the resort closure. The most valuable lesson I learned from this internship is the importance of taking care of your employees so that they take good care of your clients!

I will always be grateful for MBS’s support and I am looking forward to visiting the property in the near future.

Online learning

During the Fall semester of 2020, I decided to expand my leave of absence from Cornell due to the Covid-19 situation. I took this opportunity to complete courses in my areas of interest and explore subjects not offered in my university or major through MOOC platforms. These classes included:

• Construction Management course by Columbia University
• Successful Negotiation course by Michigan University
• The Business Intelligence Analyst Course via Udemy
• The Real Estate Financial Modeling Bootcamp via Udemy
• Financing and Investing in Infrastructure course by the University of Bocconi
• The Science of Well-Being course by Yale University
• Spanish Classes — Intermediate level via Babbel

This experience taught me that there are infinite opportunities to learn online. I loved how I was able to organize my time and follow my own schedule without having to deal with the stress of examinations. This online experience also reinforced my discipline to stick to my schedule and complete almost every lecture! However, I can’t deny that I missed human contact, asking questions, and having engaging class discussions. For those reasons, I am looking forward to being back at Cornell virtually this semester.

For all of those who made it this far, thank you! I am really grateful that you took the time to read about my experiences and I hope you learned something from them.

To conclude, I want to share some advice to people who are interested in taking a gap year from school and share more on how I financed my leave.

10 Advice for people who want to take gap years:

1. There is no “best” time to take time off: some people take it before university, others before graduating or after and some people take it until their 30s or 40s. Whenever you have reasons to take it, go for it!
2. You don’t need to have a set plan for your gap year and 2020 was the best example.
3. Set objectives of what you hope to achieve by the end of your time off.
4. Identify mentors and friends you can reach out to for advice and support.
5. Be ready to fail forward: things are not always going to go the way you want them to.
6. Explore new experiences: Get out of your house and have new experiences
7. Take risks: It’s the best time to try something you always wanted to try.
8. Be happy, Don’t let negative people or thoughts impact you: It’s your time that you are investing, so use it wisely.
9. Focus on your own growth and develop skills.
10. HAVE FUN: You might not have this opportunity again so have as much fun as you can.

How I financed my gap year?

Many people might be wondering how I financed my leave of absence and trips.

1. I looked for fully-funded trips: My trips to Egypt and China were fully-funded by the programs I attended.
2. I am a cheap traveler: I often try to look for the best deals and don’t invest much in hotels or expensive things.
3. I used some savings from my student job at Cornell to finance some trips.
4. My internship in Singapore was paid: It helped cover most of my expenses there.
5. I outsmarted airlines when there are delays or cancelations to get compensations and finance my next flights 😜

Ghali moving forward:

Starting next Monday, I will be enrolled in full-time classes at my university, Cornell University — SC Johnson College of Business, Hotel School. I am pursuing a bachelor's degree with a major in Hotel Administration and minors in Real estate, Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

During this leave of absence, I developed a strong passion and interest for hospitality real estate development and tourism development. Next summer, I hope to work with a hospitality development firm and expand my knowledge and skills in this industry. I still don’t have an exact plan of what I want to do post-grad or where I want to be. I am leaving myself open to different opportunities globally.

Thank you!

Last but not least, I would like to express my profound gratitude to many people who supported me during the past 18 months- without mentioning any names. First of all, I am very grateful to my parents for their unlimited support: It’s not easy to convince Moroccan parents to leave school and do something else, but they trusted me enough ❤. I am thankful to my close friends and friends for their advice and the time we got to spend together. I am grateful to my boss and my team at Marina Bay Sands for their continuous support during my internship. I am thankful for my teams at Aider Sans Limite and the Moroccan Youth Social Entrepreneurs Group for their hard work and engagement in the change we are pursuing. I am grateful for the new friendships I made and the strangers I met very randomly during the past months. Finally, I am grateful to my advisor at Cornell University and the administration for supporting me in taking this leave of absence.

Thank you once again for taking the time to read this article and feel free to reach out to me for questions or feedback at gj79@cornell.edu