What is a Gap Year?
A gap year is "a period of time (anywhere from several weeks to a year or more) whereby a young person, typically 18-27, takes a break from traditional classroom education to explore his/her personal interests, passions, or career aspirations by engaging in volunteer work, international travel, internships, educational, and cultural exchange" (www.nextstepu.com/gap-year.cat).
Typically, students take a year off between high school graduation and starting college to participate in a gap year. Gap years are ideal for a wide range of people. Whether you're interested in travel, want to engage in self-discovery, feel you're not ready for college, etc, gap year might be an option for you to consider.
Typically, students take a year off between high school graduation and starting college to participate in a gap year. Gap years are ideal for a wide range of people. Whether you're interested in travel, want to engage in self-discovery, feel you're not ready for college, etc, gap year might be an option for you to consider.
Common Misconceptions:
Misconception: The gapper will never return to school.
Reality: After completing a gap year, most students have a clearer vision of what career path they want to follow. Some students will choose not to attend college, which may be the best decision for them. Misconception: You’ll forget how to study. Reality: Being away from school for just one year will not cause you to forget how to study. Taking time off can lead to more focus and a renewed interest in learning. Misconception: A gap year is just a way to avoid real life. Reality: Actually, the opposite is true. Gappers usually travel without their parents, volunteer or work to support themselves. So not only are gappers exploring themselves and the world, they’re gaining life skills as well. |
Benefits of Gap Years
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Apply for College!
If you decide that the gap year option is for you, congratulations on your future adventure! Before you leave for your adventure, it is important that you apply for colleges. You should participate in the normal college application process your senior year. Why? you ask. Well...
- You have easy access to your school counselor and resources while still in high school
- It may be difficult to fill out applicati ons or get teacher recommendations if you're doing turtle conservation near the ocean. Plus, do you really want to shift your focus and time away from your awesome adventures?
- It may help convince your parents that you really will go to college after you complete your gap year.
- Colleges often let you defer your acceptance for a year. This means you can apply, get accepted, and wait until the following year to attend.
Examples of Gap Years
You have several options when it comes to gap years...
Travel
Many organizations offer programs with an emphasis on traveling or living abroad. You can also plan your own adventure!
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Volunteer Work
U.S. and international volunteer programs are available through many established and credible programs. Whether you're interested in building houses, working with children, or participating in environment projects, you can find a volunteer opportunity for you.
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Academics
You have the option to improve your academic resume with postgraduate work. If you didn't get into the college you want or don't feel academically ready for college, participating in an academic program may be beneficial to you.
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Work/Internships
A job can help you earn money for college and give you valuable work experience. Internships allow you to explore a career field of interest to you. It may solidify your career choice or change the direction of your career interests.
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Although, I can't possibly tell you about all the opportunities out there, here are just a couple examples of what a gap year might look life for you...
Americorps:
Americorps (americorps.org) is a program for young adults over 17 who want to give back to their community or other communities across the country. If you sign up for Americorps, you are eligible to earn up to $4,725 to pay for college. You can be involved in a number of different service projects, including tutoring disadvantaged youth, building affordable housing and helping communities respond to disasters.
Global Learning Across Borders:
An international volunteer option is Global Learning Across Borders (global-lab.org), which combines international travel and service work. During their Explorations in China and Tibet program, young people ages 17 to 22 explore historical parts of each city they visit and volunteer in different places along the way, such as a health clinic in Guangzhou, China, and helping teachers in a rural Tibetan school. This program costs $10,845 and lasts three months.
InterExchange:
Sometimes a little wanderlust can lead to some major personal growth. And the good news is, your kid doesn’t need a trust fund to traverse the globe. All he needs is a little ingenuity and a willingness to work. InterExchange is his ticket to Ghana, where he’ll have a chance to work with preschool or primary school children. From distributing and collecting library books, to assisting with after school activities, to teaching kids in the classroom, this is a bird’s eye view into a peaceful and welcoming country. And the entire cost (which includes food, housing, and assistance) is $2,945 for the year. Students just need to get themselves there. (interexchange.org)
Alliances Abroad:
If Aussie life is more appealing than the African rainforest, consider contacting Alliances Abroad. The program fee is reasonable-- $2,200 for room, board, training, and in-country travel expenses-- plus there’s close to $900 per month in salary! The work is in rural hospitality, mostly in the Australian Outback. Participants need to pay their international airfare but the program includes a jetlag recovery weekend at Australia’s Rainbow beach, to make the time change a little easier. (alliancesabroad.com)
Americorps:
Americorps (americorps.org) is a program for young adults over 17 who want to give back to their community or other communities across the country. If you sign up for Americorps, you are eligible to earn up to $4,725 to pay for college. You can be involved in a number of different service projects, including tutoring disadvantaged youth, building affordable housing and helping communities respond to disasters.
Global Learning Across Borders:
An international volunteer option is Global Learning Across Borders (global-lab.org), which combines international travel and service work. During their Explorations in China and Tibet program, young people ages 17 to 22 explore historical parts of each city they visit and volunteer in different places along the way, such as a health clinic in Guangzhou, China, and helping teachers in a rural Tibetan school. This program costs $10,845 and lasts three months.
InterExchange:
Sometimes a little wanderlust can lead to some major personal growth. And the good news is, your kid doesn’t need a trust fund to traverse the globe. All he needs is a little ingenuity and a willingness to work. InterExchange is his ticket to Ghana, where he’ll have a chance to work with preschool or primary school children. From distributing and collecting library books, to assisting with after school activities, to teaching kids in the classroom, this is a bird’s eye view into a peaceful and welcoming country. And the entire cost (which includes food, housing, and assistance) is $2,945 for the year. Students just need to get themselves there. (interexchange.org)
Alliances Abroad:
If Aussie life is more appealing than the African rainforest, consider contacting Alliances Abroad. The program fee is reasonable-- $2,200 for room, board, training, and in-country travel expenses-- plus there’s close to $900 per month in salary! The work is in rural hospitality, mostly in the Australian Outback. Participants need to pay their international airfare but the program includes a jetlag recovery weekend at Australia’s Rainbow beach, to make the time change a little easier. (alliancesabroad.com)
Resources for Gap Year Options
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These three resources are awesome! They list a ton of options for programs to consider...
Other useful websites:
Other useful websites:
Sources:
NextStepU website
NextStepU College Night Handout: Consider a gap year
Ann Arbor Community High School Website
Mind the Gap!: 11 Amazing Ways to Spend a Year Off Before College
NextStepU website
NextStepU College Night Handout: Consider a gap year
Ann Arbor Community High School Website
Mind the Gap!: 11 Amazing Ways to Spend a Year Off Before College