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GUIDE TO
PROGRAMS
Are You Ready for
COLLEGE? A Comprehensive Directory of Gap Year Programs
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2015 USA Gap Year Fairs Schedule
O U R M I S S I O N I S T EEN SUC C ESS
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Presenting the 2015 Guide to Gap Year Programs This year, TeenLife is excited to announce the 2015 Guide to Gap Year Programs in partnership with USA Gap Year Fairs! Full of even more gap year program listings and must-read content, this year’s Guide is better than ever. If you don’t know much about gap years, the Guide to Gap Year Programs is the perfect resource. Our article on page 30 reviews all of the questions students should ask themselves when considering a gap year. On page 12, we explain why gap years are a growing trend valued by colleges and universities—some of the most prominent institutions
actually recommend that their students embark on a gap year program. In addition, parents and students can read about the importance of lingual immersion on pages 4 and 44. To explore all of your gap year options, be sure to visit a USA Gap Year Fair near you. The full USA Gap Year Fairs schedule can be found on page 9. All of these gap year programs and more are listed by category on page 16. We hope you enjoy the 2015 Guide to Gap Year Programs! Marie Schwartz President & Founder TeenLife Media, LLC
2015 Guide to Gap Year Programs P U B L I SH E R
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2 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
Contents
GUIDE TO GAP YEAR PROGRAMS 2015
4 Ignore Your Friends, and the Other Golden Rules for Gap Year Lingual Immersion Must-read tips for learning another language during your gap year
7 Student Profile: Kivu Gap Year 8 Introduction from USA Gap Year Fairs TeenLife’s partner, USA Gap Year Fairs, starts the conversation about gap year
9 2015 USA Gap Year Fairs Schedule Find a USA Gap Year Fair near you!
11 Student Profile: St. Norbert College Gap Experience 12 Gap Years 2015 Why the gap year is a growing trend valued by colleges and universities
14 Get Paid to Experience Europe Take a gap year while working as an Au Pair
16 Gap Year Programs 17 Academic 17 Adventure/Trip 19 Arts 19 Community Service 22 Environmental Conservation 23 Gap Year Advisors 25 Internships & Work Experience 26 Postgraduate Year 27 Special Needs 27 Travel/Culture Cover Photo provided by: Where There Be Dragons Photos (this page) provided by: Cape Eleuthera Institute, Winterline Global Skills, and The Leap.
24 Student Profile: The Academy at Watkinson 30 What to Ask Yourself When Considering a Gap Year Questions for thoughtful students considering taking a gap year
34 Your Gap Year from Idea to Reality: The Value of Working With Expert Gap Year Counselors 37 Student Profile: Global Citizen Year 38 American Gap Year in the Reserves Explore your options for a military-focused gap year
41 Gap Year Checklist Be sure to ask yourself these questions before embarking on a gap year!
42 Are You Ready for College? If you’re still unsure about college, a gap year can be a good alternative
44 Information for Parents Why learning a language overseas during a gap year can enrich your teen’s life
47 Index
The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 3
Ignore Your Friends, and the Other Golden Rules for
Winterline Global Skills student admiring local architecture on a free day in Berlin, Germany
Gap Year Lingual Immersion By Danny Kalman
“Danny, we’re going downtown. Want to come?” Of course I wanted to come. “No thanks guys,” I replied. The next week, “Danny, we’re going to the park. Come with us!” “I’d love to but not this time.” My buddies were starting to wonder why I rarely joined them. This pattern developed while living in Jerusalem for ten months on a study program. It may appear that I was a bona fide recluse. However, the opposite was true.
THE GOLDEN RULES FOR GAP YEAR LINGUAL IMMERSION RULE #1: Ignore Your Friends My American and European buddies on the program were delightful people, but I was on a mission. That mission was to master the local language that I was 4 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
studying, Hebrew. Therefore, rather than spending my spare time with English speaking friends, it made more sense to seek out local friends who did NOT speak English. Just because you are near the water, it doesn’t mean you’re taking a bath. Unfortunately, most people who live abroad don’t develop a conversational level in the local language. If you want to learn the language, then you must make a focused effort. Ignoring your study abroad friends in order to spend time with non-English speaking locals is just the first foot in the bath water. RULE #2: Talk to Strangers On your path to lingual immersion, the second foot in the bath water is talking to strangers. The brilliance of
living abroad is that potential teachers surround you 24/7. Any native speaker can become your teacher! Most people don’t realize it, but breaking the ice with locals is gloriously simple. Just ask a language question. It’s the only strategy that you will ever need to break the ice. While living in Japan, I made a pact that I would ask a language question to at least one local per day. Not once was I met with resistance. The people were always curious and intrigued. The interactions were as fun for them as they were for me. One night I arrived at my local train station and had not yet asked my question for the day. There was a young, Japanese guy at the station decked out with travel gear. To fulfill my pact, I needed to make up a language question on the spot. Approaching him felt awkward, but I did it anyway. In broken Japanese I asked, “What is the meaning of these characters?” He was very friendly and after he answered my question we started chatting (in both English and Japanese). Afterwards I dropped my bags off at home and went out to meet with him and two of his Japanese buddies. One of those people, Shige, later became a loyal
friend. We had many fun times together, including taking a trip down to Kyoto, and he became a major component of my lingual immersion in Japan. RULE #3: Never Reply in English The third rule for lingual immersion is, when speaking with locals, ALWAYS attempt to speak their language. Get ready — in spite of your efforts — they’re going to respond in English. Just like practicing their language excites you, practicing English excites them. In this situation, you must be staunch. No matter how many times they respond to you in English, you must attempt to respond in their language. Eventually, a magical thing will happen. All of a sudden your new friend will respond in his/her native tongue because it will just feel more natural. When you arrive at this moment, congratulations! Give yourself a pat on the back. You’re making great progress. As you further develop your language skills, you will start to have access to the people who don’t speak much English at all. These locals will always respond to you in their local language. You can think of the process like a video game where you are developing your skills and upgrading to the next level.
RULE #4: Live with Locals The fourth rule is, if at all possible, to live with locals. You may have to make special arrangements, but it is worth the effort. While living in Jerusalem, I was placed in a dormitory with other foreign students. Together we often laughed uncontrollably and had great times but living with foreigners did not align with my values. I was there to study Hebrew so it was imperative that I lived with locals. The placement office refused my request to live with locals so I submitted a written petition. I then marched into the office every day for a month asking about the status of my request. Such a direct approach would not have been appropriate in some cultures. In that particular culture, however, being highly assertive was the only method to get anything done. Conforming to the culture in this way actually became kind of a fun game. After a month, they finally moved me to a dormitory with locals.
RULE #5: Always Study The fifth rule for lingual immersion is to study at every opportunity. Study during that walk to your program or work or school. Study on the bus. Study before bed. Study while cooking. Study while hiking. If you are fortunate enough to be enrolled in language classes, make sure you take full advantage and learn the material from every lesson like the back of your hand. If there is any time that you are going to learn, living abroad is that time! THE FINAL GUIDELINE: Align Your Values Roy Disney, Walt Disney’s big brother and cofounder of the Walt Disney Company, said, “When your values are clear, your decisions are easy.” Set your values. Make the pact that you will do whatever you need to in order to learn the local language during your gap year abroad. Then, while living abroad, always ask yourself, does this activity align with my value of learning the language? How could I better align this time with my values? With this clear mind, you will know how to proceed in every situation. •
Danny Kalman, founder of the online language school, languagebird.com, speaks English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Japanese, has lived in 4 countries and has traveled to over 20.
6 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
In His Own Words What did you do on your gap year experience? I lived in Denver, Colorado for a semester and worked with one of the most incredible non-profit organizations I have ever had the privilege of getting to know: Mile High Ministries. The next semester I lived in Uganda and Rwanda for 5 months to help various non-profits and schools in different capacities, while also taking time for some good adventures through Kenya and Tanzania.
Phillip Gibson Kivu Gap Year
What was the most memorable part of your gap year? Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro at sunrise may have been one of the coolest and most unique experiences of my life. You can literally see the curvature of the Earth as the sun comes up. It was unreal.
Why did you decide to participate in a gap year program? I wasn’t very academically motivated in high school, but I thrived off of unique experiences that put me outside of my elements. I had also done some traveling in high school that exposed me to some issues abroad that I began to care deeply about. When I was finishing up high school I saw that college was something that most of my peers were generally apathetic about. Their only real motivation was to get out of their parents' house and do something different. I wanted to do something I was passionate about, something that gave my life and my education more meaning and purpose.
What did you learn from participating in a gap year? I learned how to ask different kinds of questions and how to pay better attention to myself and the things going on around me. I learned that in order to actually combat poverty and work for the better well-being of others I need to actually know who I am and know all the good and bad things I bring into those relationships.
How did you research gap year programs and decide which program was right for you? I didn’t research very much at all actually. I had one idea of doing a grand traveling adventure with my buddy. We were going to travel around the world by boats and motorcycles through some of the most remote and dangerous places in the world. Around the second semester of my senior year I realized that that idea was pretty dumb, overly romanticized, and too focused on myself. I was involved in Camp Kivu for a long time so when I heard they had a gap year program developing I hopped on board immediately.
Would you encourage other students to take part in a gap year? Yes and yes. A thousand times, yes.
I learned that poverty and injustice are complicated and their characteristics are deeply embedded into the personalities of people and societies. Advocating effectively for justice not only takes passion and big dreams, but also the patience, wisdom, and knowledge to know a place and its respective issues really well and to be willing to wait for long periods of time to see them actually change.
How will your gap year affect the rest of your life in college and after college? Poverty is everywhere and can be measured in many different ways. It’s a material line and an internalized self-perception. In this program you get the experience that exposes you to the poverty of your own self, that of your community, and larger social constructs. This program taught me how to start asking the right questions to identify and measure these different kinds of poverty and how people all around the world are working to combat them. The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 7
2015 USA Gap Year Fairs USA Gap Year Fairs is in our 8th season with 35 fairs around the country. These events showcase a wide variety of gap organizations from all over the world. Our mission is to connect families with incredible gap year opportunities and to start a conversation about the benefits of Gap Years. We understand education is not "one size fits all." It should be a little different for each student. In the gap year world, we know everyone thinks differently; everyone learns differently; and everyone experiences the world differently. Then why do we assume there is one perfect formula (elementary school + high school + college)? For us at USA Gap Year Fairs, we know education is not always a linear path. We encourage students to try something new. Yes, maybe even something different. We are talking about a Gap Revolution! Gap Years can help students take a break from the traditional classroom and enter the world as global learners. A well-structured gap year allows students to develop personal and social maturity, academic focus, and a sense of direction. Studies show that the average college graduation rate in the past 6 years is only 55.9%. It is clear we should have a conversation about education. While it can feel like a risk to step out of the traditional classroom, feel assured in knowing that some of the best high schools and colleges in the country are encouraging students and families to consider a gap
8 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
year. It is an opportunity for students to take education into their own hands and to develop their own formula for success. Students reach a level of higher learning and discover how to make changes in the world, society, and their lives. When it comes to creating your gap year, there are many options, including: academic programs, working/ interning, volunteering, traveling, having an adventure, and pursuing athletics. All of these options provide students with great opportunities to: • Develop "real world" experiences that provide direction in their college years • Gain maturity and independence by joining communities, other cultures, or professional settings • Attain better understanding of local and global issues through immersion • Pursue various fields of interest to test or define passions Wouldn’t you agree it’s time for a Gap Revolution? Take education in your own hands. Check out a USA Gap Year Fair near you.
Photos provided by: Winterline Global Skills, Where There Be Dragons, and Ananda College.
2015 USA Gap Year Fairs Schedule Houston, TX, January 10, 2015 Austin, TX, January 11, 2015 Boulder, CO, January 14, 2015 Denver, CO, January 15, 2015 Santa Barbara, CA, January 17, 2015 Los Angeles, CA, January 18, 2015 San Diego, CA, January 20, 2015 Los Angeles, CA, January 21, 2015 San Anselmo, CA, January 22, 2015 Los Altos, CA, January 24, 2015 Berkeley, CA, January 24, 2015 San Francisco, CA, January 25, 2015 Portland, OR, January 26, 2015 Seattle, WA, January 27, 2015 Minneapolis, MN, January 28, 2015 Ann Arbor, MI, January 29, 2015 Chicago, IL, January 31, 2015 Andover, MA, February 01, 2015
Hanover, NH, February 03, 2015 South Burlington, VT, February 04, 2015 West Harford, CT, February 05, 2015 Dedham, MA, February 08, 2015 Long Island, NY, February 09, 2015 Scarsdale, NY, February 10, 2015 Fairfield, CT, February 11, 2015 New York City, NY, February 12, 2015 New York City, NY, February 15, 2015 Philadelphia, PA, February 17, 2015 Princeton, NJ, February 18, 2015 Rockville, MD, February 19, 2015 Washington, DC, February 21, 2015 Aldie, VA, February 22, 2015 Fairfax, VA, February 24, 2015 Counselor Fair Fairfax, VA, February 24, 2015 Charlotte, NC, February 25, 2015 Atlanta, GA, February 26, 2015
For more information and fair registration, visit: http://usagapyearfairs.org/fairs/
10 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
In His Own Words make a difference. We visited a homeless shelter, volunteered at inner-city schools and met countless people who shared their experiences with us. Then it was on to Eastern Tennessee and an alternative break program with a focus on outdoor education. While there, we volunteered at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee Indian reservation, and admired the beauty of the region. After a week-long break to reconnect with my friends and family back home, I’m looking forward to traveling to the island of St. Lucia in the South Caribbean. We’re going to build houses, volunteer at numerous locations on the island, and live with the locals for six weeks.
Erick Nilsen
St. Norbert College Gap Experience Why did you decide to participate in a gap year program? I had known for a while that I wanted to take a gap year—I really wanted to travel, and thought I might not be ready to go straight to college. I hoped that traveling abroad and exploring the world would help me figure out what I really wanted to do with my life, but I worried I might wander for years, without making any progress. I also worried it might be even more difficult for me to go back to school after that. Then I discovered the SNC Gap Experience: a program that would allow me all of the experiential lessons I desired with no risk of losing my way, and the ability to earn college credit while I did it! What did you do on your gap year experience? We started the semester with a 26-day leadership course that included a backpacking trip in the Northwoods of Minnesota and a sea kayaking expedition on the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior. We then rafted down the Upper San Juan River in Utah, stopping along the river to do some trail work and volunteer service for the Bureau of Land Management. Then in Chicago, we learned about urban poverty, the problems it creates, and how we can
What was the most memorable part of your gap year? So far my time in Chicago has been the most memorable experience because it was so emotionally wrenching and because, although I knew about the serious problems connected to urban poverty, I had never seen them firsthand. Throughout the whole semester, though, I’ve seen so many things I’ll never forget: the crystal-clear water of Lake Superior, the starry night sky over the arid Utah desert, and the beautiful forests of the Smoky Mountains, to name just a few. I’m sure my time in St. Lucia will be quite memorable as well! Would you encourage other students to take part in a gap year? I would certainly recommend a gap year to anyone who feels they aren’t quite ready to go right to college, or anyone who doesn’t think they know themselves well enough. My gap experience so far has really helped me mature, and more importantly it has helped me figure out who I am and given me an idea of what I want to make of my life. How will your gap year affect the rest of your life in college and after college? The experiences I’ve had this semester will stay with me forever. I’m now more educated about world issues, and more motivated to do my part to make the world a better place. My personal philosophies and ideals will be forever influenced by my time on the St. Norbert Gap Experience. The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 11
GA P Y EA RS 2 0 1 5 :
A Growing Trend Valued by Colleges and Universities
Bird's eye view at Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Gap Year Program
By Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson
Those who have taken a gap year are well aware of the positive impact it can have on young adults. Maggie Hureau, who went on a gap year in 2002, says of her experience, “My gap year helped me develop skills in time management and communication. When I first started college, I would complete my work two weeks before it was due. I took greater responsibilities for my actions because in my gap year I learned the importance of my actions. I learned that I could do excellent things—and there is great responsibility in that belief.” Now it seems that colleges and universities are also recognizing the benefits of a gap year experience. Programs are being developed and supported in higher education, gap year experiences are being recognized in the college admissions process, and there’s a growing awareness of the potential of these experiences to develop or enhance skills that “gappers” can take into their college years and beyond.
Higher Education Valuing Gap Years
The list of colleges and universities that accept or endorse gap years is growing. Princeton, Middlebury, the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), MIT, and Colorado College are among a larger list of higher education institutions that recognize the value of a gap year option. Harvard has recommended this “road less travelled” for nearly forty years. Some higher education institutions see the value in not only recommending a gap year experience, but in supporting students who pursue this alternate experience before college. Tufts University announced in 12 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
February 2014 that it would initiate a “Tufts 1+4” program in the fall of 2015 for incoming freshmen. The program, run by Tuft’s Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, will provide students with financial support for a year of public service experience prior to their entry into college. In published reports Alan Solomont, Dean of Tisch College, explained the basis of Tufts’ initiative by saying that: “We aren’t creating demand, we’re responding to appetite.” According to the numbers, the appetite for gap years is increasing. The American Gap Association (AGA) tracks data from a number of sources as it develops standards for the certification of gap year programs and supports more serious research on outcomes. The AGA has documented the growth both in numbers and in impact over the past few years. The results are clear: gap years are increasingly being seen as a promising alternative to students immediately entering college upon high school graduation. While the gap year concept is still a relatively new one in the U.S., the last five years have seen a steady increase in interest expressed by students and parents attending gap year fairs held around the country. Gap year fair attendance has grown from 1,500 in 2010-11 to more than 3,500 in 2012-2013. According to Ethan Knight, president of AGA, gap year program surveys report an increase of 61% in program applications and 27% increase in enrollments. And for parents wondering, “What will such a choice do to my student’s potential acceptance into college?”— rest assured. The change in attitudes among colleges is
encouraging, marked by the many high-profile programs in higher education. The increasing acceptance of gap years in this respect may explain, in part, why the latest U.S. News and World Report “Best Colleges” edition includes an article, “The Value of a Gap Year: Taking Time Off Can Make You A Better Student.”
Gap Years Enhance Skills and Development
The Tufts program highlights the emphasis on developing “civic leadership skills.” This focus points to an intriguing contribution that gap year experiences can make not only to the lives of gappers but also to the country as a whole. That explains, for instance, the important role that programs like City Year play in providing opportunities for public service in our inner cities. We have seen a similar focus gaining ground as more programs look for ways to evaluate the impact of their programs — many programs focus their curricula on the importance of recognizing the effects one’s personal and cultural perspectives have on analyzing issues and working or communicating with people of different cultural backgrounds.
Programs and curricula such as these point to the prospect of gap years providing an important window of opportunity to gain more insight into the kinds of learning and experiences that can foster civic understanding and help develop important sets of skills. Gap year providers now are moving towards a more structured approach of documenting outcomes that will contribute to improving program quality and expanding program outreach. Over the years, supporters of gap years have often spoken of the beneficial effects of gap years that get students “out of their comfort zone.” Many of the skills that institutions of higher education look for in prospective students — scholarship, leadership, contributions to community, an increased regard for others — are the ones that gappers already have. So it’s no wonder that more colleges and universities are choosing to encourage and support the gap year experience. And we have no doubt that interest in gap years among parents, students, and colleges will continue to grow. •
Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson are authors of The Gap-Year Advantage: Helping Your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or During College (St. Martin’s Press, 2005) and Gap Year, American Style: Journeys Toward Learning, Serving, and Self-Discovery (HEII, 2013).
Get Paid to Experience Europe:
Au Pair for a Gap Year by James England
Have you ever dreamed about living abroad after high school, only to be held back financially? Before starting college at the University of Wyoming, Laramie resident Taylor Wyndell embarked on a great journey to Switzerland. Taylor was going to work for a year as an Au Pair in a family’s household.
Taylor, however, had no prior experience with German, much less the Swiss variants, and quickly felt intimidated by being immersed in this new language. Thankfully, her resident household was fluent in English — including two of the four children she was tasked with managing.
Au Pairs in European Culture
Within the household, her duties were quickly defined in terms of childcare and scheduling. By Swiss regulations, an Au Pair can only be required to work thirty hours a week and is given full room, board, and a small stipend. However, Taylor was unaccustomed to setting boundaries and quickly became inundated with daily tasks. “The parents didn’t believe in disciplining their children. Coming from my background, that left me feeling unprepared for knowing how to handle certain situations.” She quickly adapted, though, learning how to work within the constraints of this new method of childcare. Still, it was quite a struggle to set boundaries between work and life. “It was hard. I didn’t know how to stand up for myself [back then] so I ended up working sometimes over sixty hours a week — which isn’t a requirement. This made me overworked and isolated.” Her sister, whom had also been working as an Au Pair in another household in Bern, had voluntarily vacated her post after a similar dissolution of work and life. In her sister’s case, she was tasked with caring for a child with disabilities — a condition she knew of beforehand. However, in that single parent household, the mother was quite insistent upon making her part of the household’s afterhours activities. This kept Taylor’s sister from enjoying any of her free time in this beautiful Swiss city. Eventually, this resulted in her leaving early. “Without my sister around, I began to feel truly alone. Depressed, even. And with no idea of how I was going to manage [my situation],” Taylor confessed. “I think I worked maybe another month or two until I quit as well.” Taylor left three months into her first contract, having felt the strain of caring for four children without adequate
Au Pairs are typically considered domestic assistants working inside a family’s household. It is common for many European countries to have stipulations on the type of work these assistants may perform. Depending on the country, there are certain requirements for someone to be accepted as an Au Pair in a European household. Residency requirements and restrictions are something typically discussed with the prospective Au Pair prior to any arrangements being made. Taylor had arranged to speak with her Swiss family through an agency. They exchanged pictures and conversation over email and Skype before she traveled overseas. This would be her first trip to Europe and in her words, “I was afraid if I didn’t do it while I was young I wouldn’t ever do it.” Looking for a way to experience Europe not just as a tourist but also as a resident, the high school graduate set off for her first overseas adventure.
Embrace Culture Shock
Upon arriving, Taylor remarked at how similar the Swiss were to Americans in terms of retail shopping experiences and the helpfulness of locals. In many European countries, especially Switzerland, multiple languages are spoken throughout the regional provinces. Some of these are dialects and, in the case of Taylor’s experience, they were very difficult to understand. “They spoke a variation of High German known as Bernese German. One of the other Au Pairs, whom I had met upon arriving, said she spoke German and still had trouble understanding them.” 14 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
Negotiate Boundaries
free time was too much of a burden. She felt disappointed in herself, in retrospect, for not clearly defining boundaries in the beginning. This, she notes, is an important step for anyone seriously considering being an Au Pair.
Right Mental Attitude
An Au Pair is a voluntary “at will” position. The domestic assistant or household may decide to terminate at any time for any reason. In most cases, the household, which paid for her expenses to come over, is equally obliged to cover her airfare to return. While not every arrangement works this well, as both the Au Pair and the household may have hoped, there is plenty of room for negotiation before, during, and after the fact. Taylor ruefully remarked that she wished she had taken greater advantage of some of those options — including setting clear boundaries between work and life. Once back in the United States, Taylor decided she needed to prove to herself that she was capable of doing this. There were a lot of great opportunities in Switzerland to learn language, experience culture and history, as well as interact with other travelers. Taylor didn’t feel she got a proper opportunity to do any of that due to her shock of being in this new situation. She decided to go back to Europe — this time, she intended to do it right.
“I was much less introverted,” Taylor admitted. “And much more capable of standing up for myself and setting boundaries. I became good friends with the mother of my household. She taught me to cook — she was amazing in the kitchen.” She also immediately started language classes on her second trip. The first time, she confessed, “I had avoided them because I was so shy.” Overcoming her shyness and bonding with her host family were some of the factors she listed as reasons why her second trip was much more successful than her first. She still had to deal with setting clear boundaries between work and life — but she was more mentally prepared to do so. And this resulted in her making friends out in the community, including other exchange students. With the right mentality, becoming an Au Pair for a family in Europe can be a fantastic way to experience this life and culture from the perspective of a resident. It also allows you the opportunity to make money and live relatively comfortably, provided you have the right mental attitude and are prepared to stick to your guns. Taylor looks back fondly upon her memories of both her first and second trips. While the trips had different outcomes, she admits that without them she would have probably never had the opportunity to live in Europe. •
Gap Year Programs
Fall '14 student Beatrijs snorkelling with a seahorse on Cape Eleuthera Institute's kayak expedition.
nce an anomaly in the world of education, taking a gap year has grown in popularity. Gap year programs provide students with the unique opportunity to learn valuable life lessons, engage in selfexploration, and in many instances, develop a clearer direction for college studies. Often taken between high school and college, gap year programs challenge students through study, service, travel, and cultural exchange. Whether they have chosen a direction that is academic, special interest, or travel-based, these programs teach students through experience rather than in a typical classroom setting. 16 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Academic American University Gap Program
American University’s Gap Program offers an enriching internship and academic immersion experience in Washington, D.C. over a semester or an entire year. From day one, students create a foundation for success because the AU Gap experience focuses on skills that can be applied later in an academic setting or career. Destination(s): United States www.american.edu/spexs/augap
Center for Study Abroad (CSA) For over 20 years, CSA has offered non profit, low cost study abroad opportunities to students and adults worldwide. High quality, accredited programs that are affordable, open to all worldwide, easy to register, flexible, college/ academic credits can be earned. Destination(s): Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, United States www.centerforstudyabroad.com
EF Academic Year Abroad & Gap Year Program*
EF provides the ultimate study abroad experience. Invest in your dreams. Achieve fluency, see the world, expand your international network, and launch your global future. Study for 6, 9, or 11 months and start in April, June, September, or January. Destination(s): Asia, Europe, Latin America www.ef.com/year
Request more information from our advertisers, go to TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
* = USA Gap Year Fairs Exhibitor
InnerPathWorks
InnerPathWorks is an out-ofthe-box self-discovery semester that heightens inner and outer awareness, and prepares participants to make a difference. We help you discover an appropriate life and career path that matches gifts, talents and interests. College credit available. Destination(s): United States www.innerpathworks.com
ISA Gap Year*
Through ISA Gap Year programs, you can begin your college career abroad. Choose from 22 locations worldwide and Full Year, Semester, Summer, or Intensive Month Programs. Explore a new culture through classes, activities, excursions, and even volunteering. Destination(s): Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East http://studiesabroad.com/ gapyear
Maximo Nivel*
Maximo Nivel offers experiential education programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Programs available include: High School Abroad, Youth Spanish Camp, International Volunteer Program, International Internship Program, TEFL/TESOL Certification, and Native Spanish Program. Destination(s): Latin America www.maximonivel.com
Sea|mester*
Sea|mester offers a range of unique educational adventures where our gap year and semester abroad students live aboard either S/Y Ocean Star or S/Y Argo, sailing and traveling from country to country. Sea|mester education programs are highly experiential and offer college-level credits. Destination(s): Asia, Australia, Europe www.seamester.com
St. Norbert Gap Experience at St. Norbert College
St. Norbert helps connect your passions with the needs of the world. This Gap Experience, held entirely off campus your first semester across the United States, on Lake Superior’s Canadian shore and in St. Lucia, provides full college credit while you discover who you’re meant to be. Destination(s): Canada, Caribbean, United States www.snc.edu/go/GapExperience
The Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Tech*
The Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Tech supports students, farmers, and agricultural specialists with educational opportunities related to animals, plants, soils, food systems, sustainability, mechanical systems, and agriculture business management. Destination(s): United States www.vtc.edu/meet-vtc/centersinstitutes/ag-institute
Youth For Understanding (YFU)*
YFU offers the journey of a lifetime, allowing you to discover the best in yourself, make lifelong connections, and change the way you see the world. Spend your gap year engaging in a service/internship program. It’s the perfect adventure for someone ready to make a difference in the world. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East http://yfuusa.org/index.php
Adventure/Trip Glorieta Walkabout Program
Glorieta is a Christian Adventure Camp and gap year program in the Rocky Mountains near Santa Fe. Modeled after the ministry at Camp Eagle, Glorieta adopted the same Gap Year program. There are four big elements to Walkabout that make it both transformational and memorable: Adventure, Service, Study, and Discipleship. Destination(s): United States www.glorieta.org/fall-spring/ gap-year.php The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 17
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)*
With courses ranging from 10 days to a full academic year, NOLS attracts highly motivated students who want to learn how to lead. NOLS graduates have everything needed to lead others in the backcountry, as well as the leadership ability to excel at work or in the classroom. Destination(s): Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, United States www.nols.edu
Outward Bound Gap Year*
Outward Bound is the premier provider of experience-based outdoor leadership programs for youth and adults. Outward Bound courses change lives and give you the tools to see further, climb higher, and know your way. Destination(s): Latin America, United States www.outwardbound.org/ gap-year-semester-courses
RIDGE Mountain Academy*
RIDGE Mountain Academy is a campus-based program that revolves around mountain sports. Located in Whitefish, MT, RIDGE customizes academics, internships, nutrition, and life skills for student athletes. Destination(s): United States www.RIDGEacademy.com
Summit Adventure*
The Summit Adventure Immersion Service and Adventure Semester (ISAS) gives college students and gap year participants opportunities to immerse themselves in powerful outdoor adventure and cross-cultural service learning. Destination(s): Latin America, United States www.summitadventure.com/ college-semester
Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program*
The Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Program is for young adults with a passion for nature, community, and self-discovery. This gap year program helps you transform from yearning for deep connection to living a life of deep connection with nature, with community, and with yourself. Destination(s): United States www.twineagles.org/wildernessimmersion.html
Tzedek America
Tzedek America is a great way to develop work skills, travel, and learn Jewish values. Select students live in a house with other teens, get placed in dynamic internships in which they make a real difference, and explore how their Jewish identity leads naturally to social justice. Destination(s): United States www.tzedekamerica.org
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Arts
Community Service
Eastman Immersion Gap Year*
A Broader View Volunteers Corp
Live your life in music. Spend your gap year doing what you love in a personalized program on the campus of one of the world’s great music schools. Destination(s): United States www.esm.rochester.edu/ immersion
The Post Graduate Program at Interlochen Arts Academy*
The Post Graduate Program at Interlochen Arts Academy is a one-year, fully immersive artistic experience for recent high school graduates seeking a college-level arts program on a vibrant campus of creative artists. Destination(s): United States http://academy.interlochen.org/ content/post-graduate-year
A Broader View Volunteers arranges shortterm international mission trips and long term volunteer projects in South America, Africa, and Asia. Make a lasting impact that changes lives and provides you with one of the most rewarding experiences of your life: volunteering abroad. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Latin America www.abroaderview.org
Adventures Cross-Country*
ARCC has been offering programs for young adults since 1983. ARCC GAP Semesters are an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth as we embark on a journey of discovering local peoples, places, cultures, and ideas. Destination(s): Europe, Latin America www.adventurescrosscountry.com
Africa & Asia Venture*
Africa & Asia Venture’s gap year and volunteer projects leave the guide book behind and take you into rural communities, away from the luxury hotels or safari camps. Destination(s): Africa www.aventure.co.uk
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
AmeriCorps NCCC is a fulltime, team-based, ten-month residential service program for young adults who want to get their hands dirty and give back to communities in need across the country. Destination(s): United States www.nationalservice.gov/ nccc
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS)*
Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS) hosts programs for young adults to volunteer abroad. AMIGOS’ volunteer opportunities focus on youth leadership training and community development in Latin America. Destination(s): Latin America www.amigoslink.org/gap
CIEE: Gap Year Abroad*
Gap Year Abroad with CIEE offers college-bound high school graduates an opportunity to acquire a broader global perspective, foster independence, and gain self-knowledge. Destination(s): Asia, Europe, Latin America www.ciee.org/gap
Camp Eagle
Camp Eagle is nestled in a beautiful and rugged environment that is perfect for every kind of outdoor adventure and extreme sport. While beauty and adventure draw many to the camp, it’s the experiential Biblebased curriculum and relationships that leave a lasting impact. Destination(s): United States http://campeagle.org
20 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
A Summit Adventure student learns how to build an anchor for rappelling in the California High Sierra.
Global Citizen Year*
Global Citizen Year is a crash course in making a difference. We select talented high school seniors to match with apprenticeships and homestays abroad. Spend a year learning leadership and language skills and discovering a new culture while doing meaningful work in Ecuador, Senegal, Brazil, or India. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Latin America www.globalcitizenyear.org
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Ananda College gap year student explores yoga abroad
WorldStamp by Dream Volunteers
WorldStamp is a gap year service program with opportunities to engage meaningfully in three countries—India, Guatemala, and Costa Rica—over nine months. Designed specifically for students ages 18 to 23, the program interweaves volunteer service work, cultural immersion, and travel. Destination(s): Asia, Latin America www.worldstampgapyear.org
Environmental Conservation African Conservation Experience
ACE offers experiential placements on sustainable wildlife conservation projects in southern Africa. Projects vary from 2-12 weeks and student volunteers can participate in a variety of conservation tasks, from wildlife care and rehabilitation to veterinary work and wildlife research. Destination(s): Africa www.conservationafrica.net
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Cape Eleuthera Institute Gap Year
Our community, which encompasses both The Cape Eleuthera Institute and The Island School, and our program will offer components including cultural immersion, adventure, education, travel, volunteerism, and personal leadership and development, and Sustainability and Immersion into Cutting-Edge Research, all while living on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. Destination(s): Carribbean www.ceibahamas.org
Gap Year Advisors EnRoute Consulting*
Electing to take a gap year or career break is a bold and exciting decision. At EnRoute, we pride ourselves in understanding the complicated process of planning and successfully executing a gap year and eagerly work to provide excellent service to every client. Destination(s): United States www.enroutegapyear.com
The Leap*
The Leap is a small, independent, AGA accredited gap year company offering the choice of an unrivaled collection of financially protected, high-quality gap year placements, organized and supported by caring and experienced staff. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Latin America www.theleap.co.uk
Crossing a frozen mountain lake at Twin Eagles Wilderness Immersion Gap Year Program
Gap Year Design
We are gap year counselors with over 20 years of combined experience as educators. We’re knowledgeable about the hundreds of gap year programs, opportunities, and resources available; we have relationships with organizations around the world, and we’re constantly researching new programs and visiting both new and established organizations. Destination(s): United States http://gapyeardesign.com
In His Own Words important academic attributes at Watkinson, but I am gaining experience by taking college classes at University of Hartford. There is truly a plethora of opportunities offered at Watkinson waiting to be taken advantage of.
Matt Conners
The Academy at Watkinson Why did you decide to participate in a post-graduate (PG) year program? I felt lost throughout my high school academic experience. Procrastination was a daily issue that led to late or missing work. I needed to learn how to manage my assignments and become a self-advocate. I had to learn how to organize myself in and out of school so I always know where everything is and when it needs to be done. Not only did I need tips and guidance for academic success, but I needed confidence. I plan to transition to a college next year and self-advocacy and confidence are required characteristics. Going into the PG year program, I was focused on building a solid work ethic so I can reach my academic potential. How did you research PG programs and decide which program was right for you? My guidance counselor gave me recommendations and I visited a few schools but didn’t really know how I felt about them. When my parents informed me about Watkinson School’s program, I was interested. I felt Watkinson would really put me to the test and allow me to reach my academic goals. My main goal is to go to college after the program and my PG year will facilitate that, as I am able to take a few high school and a few college classes at the university next door. Not only am I gaining 24 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
What did you do on your PG experience? I started off taking four classes at Watkinson and two at the University of Hartford. At first, I was introduced to a tour at Northeastern to get a feel for a city school and what’s offered at big schools like that. During the first trimester, I began an internship for the athletic department, which required me to attend all of the home sporting events. I set up the field before the games and managed the score clock. At the end of each week, I would prepare a summary of the teams who played during the week that would be submitted to the Watkinson Newsletter. For six Sundays in the fall, I attended a mandatory SAT preparation class that I found very beneficial to improving my score. I am currently working on the Academy project, where I conduct water clean ups with volunteers from my school and spread awareness regarding the dangers of pollution and the importance of recycling. The Academy students are required to take a unique class called Academy Seminar. This class teaches important life lessons like how to succeed in an interview, how to write resumes, good study and organizational habits, etc. Would you encourage other students to take part in a PG program? I would encourage other students to take part in a PG program because of how much it helps you develop as a person and a student. After spending my whole academic career in a public school setting, it was definitely a major change for me. The community aspect of Watkinson has made it easy to make new friends and perform to my fullest potential. How will your PG year affect the rest of your life in college and after college? I have picked up many new skills and learning tips that will help me with further education and occupations. Not only did my academic skills improve, but my communication and self-advocacy skills have made me a more productive student and person. I’ve been taught to manage my future bills, taxes and many other life necessities. I feel more like an individual and I know that will help me succeed in the future.
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Internships & Work Experience
A Spring '14 student, Katlin, is ready for her five day kayak adventure with Cape Eleuthera Institute
Taylor the Gap
Taylor The Gap guides students in navigating gap year options at a lowcost fee. Personalized services include: preliminary consultation, student assessment, program vetting, alumni referrals, liaison with staff, and final plan and match with gap year program or set of activities. Destination(s): United States www.taylorthegap.com
Dynamy Internship Year*
The Center for Interim Programs 35 years ago, the Center for Interim Programs became the first gap year counseling service in the U.S. Interim has created customized gap years for 6,000+ students by matching their interests, goals, and budgets with vetted opportunities worldwide. Free 90-minute consultation & lifetime service. Destination(s): United States www.interimprograms.com
At Dynamy, students from 17-22 years old explore their talents and pursue interests through internships, apartment living, college courses, and adventure challenge. Students walk away with real-world, and real-life experience that will better prepare them for college, a career, and beyond. Destination(s): United States www.internshipyear.org Request more information from our advertisers, go to TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Kivu Gap Year
The Kivu Gap Year is an 8-month facilitated gap year to internships at six global destinations. Our students travel as a group of 15 students and two field staff to local non-profits around the world where they work in internships 30-40 hours a week with a supervisor and a job description. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Middle East, United States, Carribbean www.kivugapyear.com
Take Australia
Take Australia is World Wide Cultural Exchange’s (WWCE) exciting cultural exchange program, which enables travelers of ages 18-30 to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. Destination(s): Australia www.takeaustralia.com
26 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
VisitOz*
Paid jobs are guaranteed in rural and outback areas on farms, ranches, and in rural hospitality, childcare, and teaching. An up to one year programme is offered with an initial 9-day jet lag recovery, farm training, and safety course. Destination(s): Australia www.visitoz.org
Winterline Global Skills Program*
Are you ready to travel the globe? Gain hard, practical skills that you didn’t get in high school and won’t get in college? Develop friendships that will last a lifetime? Then come join us on the Winterline Global Skills Gap Year Program for a year of travel and work experience. Destination(s): Asia, Europe, Latin America, United States, Carribbean www.winterline.com
Postgraduate Year The Academy at Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program*
The Academy at Watkinson School: a year YOU help design. Part gap year, part PG year and wholly an extension of Watkinson’s approach to education. Program Features: paid internships, travel, creative arts, athletics, and college experience. The result? The right college at the right time. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, United States www.watkinson.org/admissions/ theacademy
Request more information from our advertisers, go to TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
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Travel/Culture AFS-USA Intercultural Programs*
Ananda College gap year student in Rishikesh, India
Special Needs GAP Year at SOAR
The GAP Year at SOAR is designed for young adults with ADD/ADHD and LD (learning disabilities) and specializes in a unique combination of academics, adventure, and life skills instruction for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. Destination(s): Latin America, United States http://soarnc.org
Aspire by API: Gap Year Programs in Argentina, Chile, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain*
Experience full cultural immersion on a gap year or semester with AFS. Academic and volunteer-based options are available in 20+ destinations. All programs include host family accommodations and provide the opportunity for language learning, college and career skills building, and true adventure. Destination(s): United States, Middle East, Latin America, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa www.afsusa.org
Aspire by API provides comprehensive gap year abroad programs for recent high school graduates. Our language and cultural immersion programs provide students with opportunities to learn and develop global skills in an exciting, enriching, and safe setting. Destination(s): Europe, Latin America www.aspirebyapi.com
Art History Abroad*
Carpe Diem’s gap year programs are designed to safely challenge every student. Through volunteer service, travel, community, and cultural exchange, high school students and graduates receive a unique and personal insight into themelves and the cultures they live within. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, United States www.carpediemeducation.org
Art History Abroad students immerse themselves in European art and culture. All teaching is done on site by expert and enthusiastic tutors who will inspire you and encourage you to draw connections between art history, philosophy, music and literature. Destination(s): Europe www.arthistoryabroad.com
Carpe Diem Education*
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
CESA Languages Abroad
CESA offers high-quality language programs for ALL abilities. You can immerse yourself in the language and culture of a country for a few weeks or several months with start dates throughout the year. CESA has years of experience and has built relationships with all of the language colleges. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America www.cesalanguages.com
First Abroad*
First Abroad provides affordable gap travel opportunities geared toward Americans between the ages of 18 and 30. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, United States www.firstabroad.com
LEAPYEAR*
LEAPYEAR provides high school graduates the most unique year of college on the planet. Students embark on a full academic year of experience, travel, adventure and reflection to cultivate the whole person. Federal financial aid and generous scholarships available. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, United States www.leapnow.org
Pacific Discovery - GAP Year and Summer Programs
Pacific Discovery offers extraordinary accredited gap year travel programs abroad. Blending meaningful and challenging educational travel, cultural immersion, volunteer projects, personal and leadership development, wilderness expeditions, and an ethical travel and sustainability focus. Destination(s): Asia, Australia, Latin America www.pacificdiscovery.org
Caring for elephants during WorldStamp's India cycle of the Dream Volunteers Program
Rustic Pathways Gap Year*
Rustic Pathways offers both semesterlong and month-long gap year adventure programs for both fall and spring semesters in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific. Combining both service and adventure, a gap year will provide you with learning experiences impossible to obtain at school. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, Carribbean www.rusticpathways.com
Gap Year Programs TeenLife.com/RequestGAP
Thinking Beyond Borders*
Take a gap year with purpose. Go beyond just travel or service. Our global community faces challenges that require more than simple responses. Join a community where young people find their voices and learn to transform our world. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Latin America, United States http://thinkingbeyondborders.org/ gap-year-programs/global-gap-year/
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Where There Be Dragons*
Founded in 1993, Where There Be Dragons is the leader in cross-cultural education. Dragons specializes in guiding summer and semester programs for high school and college students in 17 countries in the developing world. Destination(s): Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East www.wheretherebedragons.com
Youth International: Experiential Learning in Asia/South America*
Youth International offers a unique program that combines international travel, volunteer work, homestays with families in a variety of socio-economic settings, and exciting outdoor adventures. Destination(s): Asia, Latin America www.youthinternational.org
A Summit Adventure student takes some time to reflect while on an expedition in the California High Sierra
What to Ask Yourself When
Winterline Global Skills student perfecting her drawing skills at an art school in Barcelona, Spain
Considering a Gap Year QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHTFUL STUDENTS CONSIDERING TAKING A GAP YEAR.
by Dr. Karyn Koven Each year millions of high school seniors contend for coveted spots at the most prestigious universities. Persisting through the fray has become a rite of passage at high schools across the nation. Pressure to compete in the college admissions game has turned some students into robot-like machines, frying their circuits on over-programmed schedules of extracurricular activities, volunteering, and homework while they overdose on AP exams, SATs, ACTs and subject exams throughout their high school years. What has become the traditional high school experience leaves some students feeling burned out and longing for a way to reignite their passion for learning. For students who feel they need a break from the grind of intense coursework turning them into college-prep zombies, gap year programs have become one solution.
Why take a gap year?
Students consider a gap year after high school as an alternative to immediately diving back into an academic shark tank. The ability to explore passions and interests through travel, work, or volunteering gives some a needed break from pressures endured in order to get into college. Some parents, high school counselors, and college admissions officers even encourage students to turn off the academic auto-pilot and take time to explore new areas of interest. If you are considering a gap year, it is important to think about your objectives. While it may seem like an easy way out, a gap year is actually not an opportunity to sit on the couch, play 30 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
video games, and postpone your future. It’s also not about sipping cappuccinos in Italian cafes or sunning yourself on Spanish beaches (although those things could be included in your total experience). Gap year programs often appeal to students who crave a more hands-on learning experience than is provided in typical high schools. Many students choose a gap year to have a taste of the real world, improve their language skills, learn about another culture, and get out of their comfort zone. Spending time abroad or in new surroundings can be a great adventure that may expand your worldview and a step toward truly understanding other people, cultures, governments and ways of life. Preparing for a gap year includes doing research and some introspection. What motivates and excites you? Do you have personal goals? Academic goals? Both? Your plan for your gap year should include your overarching goals for the year.
What are my options?
There are unlimited possibilities. Some options you may want to consider include: volunteering, teaching, language immersion, environmental causes or conservation, adventure travel, outdoor and wilderness activities, the arts, social causes, or a combination of some of these options. You have the choice of designing your own program or going with an already established organization. If you decide to go with an established organization, try to get in touch with people who participated in the program in previous years. If you are volunteering, find out exactly what
your role will entail, who you will be working with and what the expectations for you will be. Ask what a typical day looks like. If you are teaching or studying, try to find out what is expected of you and how or if you should prepare prior to your gap year.
How am I going to pay for my gap year?
Thinking in advance about how you are going to pay for your gap year is critical. There can be a number of costs and expenses including flights and accommodations, visas, and insurance. An average gap year abroad costs $10,000-$20,000. Do you have savings or do you need to launch your own fundraising campaign? Starting a fundraising campaign may be an additional skill you learn through this process that can also enhance your resume. There are a few gap year programs that offer some amount of payment or money in exchange for work. Picking up an odd job while you are abroad may supplement the cost of your travels and may also serve as a place to meet and practice the language with native speakers.
What can I gain from a gap year?
Many students take a gap year to explore their interests and in some cases to specifically give back to
a community or cause. Teaching or taking courses in a subject of interest, volunteering, working, and language immersion can all be goals of the overall experience. Taking some time to learn the language before you go is a great way to ensure you have a smoother transition. A gap year may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life and part of that experience is surviving the challenge of adapting to new cultures and new routines. Learning to deal with homesickness and culture shock are also some challenges students face when going away to college but know in advance this can be challenging and difficult at times. Remember that this experience can make you more independent, resourceful and open-minded which are all very transferrable skills and good preparation for the “real world.� Think about this: the more you are challenged, the more you are forced to think creatively and problem solve. This will make you a more confident student, employee, boss, and citizen in the future.
What are the potential drawbacks?
Making the decision to have a gap year experience may have a few drawbacks. You will enter college a year behind your high school friends — they will be taking courses toward their majors, making new friends,
learning to navigate the college experience, and planning for a career and graduation. Entering college a year later may also mean that you graduate a year later, delaying the start of your career in an already competitive job market. Finally, if you are worried about having your study skills atrophy after not studying in a traditional school setting, a fear of losing your academic momentum may deter you from pursuing a gap year.
What about coming back to college?
In most instances, colleges offer the option to defer enrollment for a year provided that you have a concrete plan for your gap year. Be sure to find out if you need to sign an agreement, track college credits, or make a deposit should you defer your entrance to college. If you were not happy with the results of your college applications, a gap year may give you the opportunity to reapply, retake admissions exams and reassess your college list while adding another very interesting experience to your resume. Creating more life experiences for yourself and discovering your interests and
passions can lead you to become more focused. Many students return from a gap year with a clearer vision of what they want to study and how they want to spend their undergraduate years.
Who can help me plan a gap year?
Academically, financially, and emotionally it may be helpful to have the support of your parents, family, friends, or school community. Be sure to discuss your plans and ideas with your family and guidance counselor. If there is limited access to counseling, find an adult at school who you trust or are close to who can give you input that will help you devise a plan or choose a gap year program that is a good fit for you. As with any other major decision, it is important to consider the positives and negatives of taking a gap year and determine if it is for you. A gap year could help you clarify your future goals and interests and can be an exciting way for you to learn more about yourself while perhaps having a positive impact on the world before you head off to college. •
Dr. Karyn Koven is a founder of High Tech Los Angeles, a college-prep charter high school ranked the #1 charter high school in California. As Director of College Counseling, Internships and Community Outreach, Dr. Koven has visited over 90 colleges domestically and internationally and has helped thousands of students find college, summer, gap year and internship programs.
PROMOTION
Your Gap Year from Idea to Reality:
The Value of Working With Expert Gap Year Counselors by Jane Sarouhan – Vice-President, Center for Interim Programs here are those who assume that planning a gap year has become a fairly simple task with the aid of the Internet, college counselors, or various books and articles. These resources do provide extensive program listings and helpful program reviews written by former participants. While it is truly exciting to see gap year opportunities gain such visibility, this volume of information is overwhelming for families who are researching options. It takes time, experience, strategy, and a lot of inquiry to discern the best opportunities that meet all of a family’s criteria when planning a meaning34 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
ful and safe gap year. Working with an expert gap year counselor — much like using a college counselor — can make all the difference in finding the best match between student and program. At the Center for Interim Programs, we are admittedly biased in favor of using a gap year counselor to help conceptualize and implement one's gap year. Interim was founded in 1980 and is the oldest independent gap year counseling service in the U.S. We have worked with over 6,000 families, many of whom came to us after finding it difficult to create and organize a gap year on their own.
PROMOTION
Utilizing professional support while planning one’s gap year can both facilitate a critical exploration of goals and interests, as well as save time, money, and worry. Our strategic and personalized approach ensures that each segment of your gap year is well thought-out. Here are 7 benefits of working with our expert counselors.
6. Budgeting strategy and low-cost
1. Over 50 combined years in the field of
experiential education.
Our team has decades of professional experience as gap year counselors, program directors, and trip leaders. Collectively, we have visited almost every continent in the world through our own gap years, academic studies, program leadership, site visits, and personal travels.
2. Dynamic process in which students identify
interests and prioritize goals.
Interim counselors listen to students without an "ought" or "should" in mind and with pure intent to determine interests and speak in the realm of possibility. We care about high-caliber, safe, and sensible placements for students as they take ownership of their unique gap year.
3. Experience with a broad range of vetted
options.
Our high quality and personalized recommendations come through three decades of program relationships, ongoing research, fact-checking, and alumni feedback. We recommend options that are reputable and right for you. We do not accept commissions from our referrals.
considerations.
A family’s budget is as important a criterion as all of the others in planning a gap year. Our team has various strategies to make a budget stretch, and we also actively pursue low-cost gap options, including volunteer and work exchange placements.
7. Free 90-minute consultation.
Anyone who is tentatively curious or totally committed to taking a gap year should consider our free 90-minute consultation. In that meeting we will begin recommending options that best fit your criteria. Engaging in this session will not obligate you to work with Interim, but it will help to give immediate shape to your ideas, and reassurance to your family. Visit our website for more information: www.interimprograms.com.
Considering and creating time away from the mainstream can be daunting. Our expert gap year counselors at the Center for Interim Programs can help you to define your goals and then connect you with the meaningful, productive and fun outlets that will enable you to achieve them. •
4. Attention to your questions about colleges,
safety, structure, budget and more.
With a 35-year history working closely with programs, academic institutions, and families, we understand the questions you may have about a gap year. As an unbiased “third party” in your process, we can help address concerns, draw out ideas, and mediate differences of opinion.
5. Ongoing support throughout the gap year.
We support students throughout their gap years. Challenges, new insights, and opportunities may arise that can influence one’s original plan. If a change of heart occurs in the student, or a problem shows up on a program, we are there for advocacy, intervention and/ or a back-up placement if needed. The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 35
deng/shutterstock
Imagine spending three days a week at BBC News, or Rock the Vote, or even at the U.S. Senate. Think about what this could mean to your future. Combine that with a seminar class that will feature lectures, site visits, and guest speakers that could introduce you to diplomats, policy makers, members of Congress, or journalists. American University’s Gap Program will provide you with an enriching experience in Washington, D.C. You choose a full year or just a semester to build a foundation for future academic and career success.
Spring 2015 Friday, October 17, 2014 - Application Friday, November 7, 2014 - Deposit Fall 2015 Friday, June 12, 2015 - Application Friday, July 3, 2015 - Deposit
In His Own Words I was a skeptic. I thought that the idea of a single year being able to change someone’s life was bogus. In light of this, a program that “wasn’t a program” was appealing to me. To operate within an organization that would be there in a pinch, but leave me to my own devices the rest of the time sounded like the perfect setup — no epiphanies required, no stress; just me and my life. And so, cynicism and all, I was off. I moved to a rural agricultural community situated in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes and settled in. With my host family I would wake up before the sun rose, and go to bed after it set. I milked goats, I cultivated strawberries and I harvested eggs. Before I knew it, I was immersed in agriculture and I loved it.
Russell Gens
Global Citizen Year Had I been told a year ago that after wrapping up my bridge year I would call it a defining event in my life, I would have laughed. When discussing time off from their education, many people throw around phrases like “life changing” or “the best decision I ever made.” I, on the other hand, actively opposed this notion. I had done my research, trolling through Yale’s extensive gap year information offerings, chatting with my high school guidance counselor, seeking out Lexington Alumni who had done anything similar, but it wasn’t until a good friend and Global Citizen Year Alum reached out to me in regards to Global Citizen Year's program that I made a decision. Frankly speaking, the description he gave me of Global Citizen Year’s model — that “It’s a program, but it’s not” — is what caught me.
The culminating moment of the year, however, wasn’t until I spent a weekend off the farm. With a local organic Co-op, my host mother and I had the opportunity to head down to the coastal city of Guayaquil to participate in a march for World Food Day. Although I didn’t quite understand it at the time, while parading through the streets of downtown Guayaquil, something inside of me was fundamentally being altered. Unbeknownst to me, by living and working with people who so passionately fought for organic farmers and the food they produce, I had discovered a passion for agriculture and the role that it will play in a sustainable future that I didn’t know existed in me. This passion has proved to be a guiding force in my life since leaving Ecuador. Not only did I spend the summer working on an organic farm, using tangible agricultural skills I built over the past year, but also in doing so I had the opportunity to learn more about organic agriculture right here in the U.S. Through today, this desire to practice, improve, and learn more about sustainable agriculture has proven to be a driving force in my life. I currently am studying Economics along with Food and Sustainability Systems in Tufts University’s Department of Environmental Studies in order to learn more about our agricultural system and the place that small, sustainable farms can, economically speaking, hold in it. Whether independently or with a program, in your hometown or abroad, I think that anyone considering what their next steps after high school will be should make the investment of taking a bridge year. The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 37
American Gap Year
in the Reserves by James England
any of us feel compelled to serve our country after we're getting ready to graduate college. But did you know that the military offers quite a few programs for taking a year off between high school and college? Most branches have what's known as a “Delayed Entry” program. This allows a prospective recruit to join up prior to serving out his or her commitment. And for the multitude of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) that require almost a full year of training, this would be a great time to gain some perspective prior to going to college.
EXPLORING DELAYED ENTRY AND RESERVE MILITARY PROGRAMS Boot Camp During Summer Vacation The US Army, for instance, has a 9-week basic training cycle. This can be completed in the summer vacation period between junior and senior year and will enable you to break up the time between going to boot camp and going onto your MOS specific school. Programs offered through both the Air Force and Army Reserve incentivize recruits towards getting their basic training out of the way. It's also an excellent way to become acquainted to this lifestyle—whether it's a career you want to pursue for twenty years or simply a tour of duty. 38 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
Spend Your Gap Year Immersed in a Foreign Language A lot of programs in both the Army and the Air Force require long periods of technical education. Jobs like being a cryptologic linguist often require up to 62 weeks just for language training. This amounts to a little over a year being intensively immersed in a foreign language like Mandarin or Arabic—giving you the added advantage of being able to use that skillset towards your college education. This field in particular can be quite demanding. But ultimately, many of the linguists go on to use their language proficiency in related avenues such as international business and even journalism. Additionally, you gain American Council on Education (ACE) credits that translate into credits towards general education requirements for most public universities. ACE credits are a fast way to build a meaningful college portfolio while advancing you towards your ultimate career goals. Master Multiple Trades with the Coast Guard Unlike the other major branches of service, a Coast Guard sailor has to quickly become the jackof-all-trades. Often dealing with a variety of environments, a Coast Guard ship will call upon its enlisted men and women to go to multiple technical schools so they have a variety of specialties. While services
like the Marine Corps and Navy generally specialize their sailors into specific roles, the Coast Guard will need you to learn a bit of everything. This presents a great opportunity for the person who wants to learn more than just one job. It allows you the ability to experiment with different roles and specialties in an effort to make you a well-rounded sailor. Additionally, being in the Coast Guard means you play a direct role in saving lives and protecting America’s waterways. It's an exciting responsibility, which provides a great variety of knowledge and experience. Make the Most of Your Gap Year Specific programs like cryptologic linguist and other related technical fields are dependent upon the requirements of a certain branch of service. It is generally recommended that you check with all of your five major branches' recruitment offices to find the best opportunity for your time between your graduation from high school and entrance into college. Your gap year can be a formative experience—one in which sets you apart from your classmates who are jumping straight into college. Through many delayed entry and reservist programs, you can earn your way both into college and a meaningful career serving the United States. •
Gap Year
Checklist Be sure to ask yourself these questions before embarking on a gap year. A D A P T E D F R O M US A G A P Y E A R F A I R S
1.
What do you want? • Travel/Volunteer/Language/Immersion/Internships/Other • Gap years can offer a wide range of learning and growth opportunities. Consider what you hope to gain and what it will take to accomplish that.
2.
How long? • Semester/Summer/Year • A “gap year” can last one or two semesters, and the time can be divided among many activities. Consider the total amount of time you have and whether you’d like one single experience or multiple shorter experiences.
3.
• Free/Stipend • <$5,000 • $5,000-$10,000
Domestic or International? • There are great opportunities abroad and in the US, and you can experience new cultures in both. Consider where you’d like to be.
4.
5. Price Range?
While trekking in Ecuador, Summit Adventure semester students pass an Alpaca on the trail
Group or individual? • While being independent offers great freedom, group programs offer a social network that can be a great support. Consider whether you will need close friends for support and fun.
• $10,000-$20,000 • $20,000-$30,000 Consider the range you can contribute to the cost of your gap year, including whether you are able and willing to raise funds.
6. Support System? Consider who you go to for perspective as you make decisions, reflect and process your learning, and who gives you help in an emergency that can be a great support.
The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 41
Are You
READY
for College? By Ginger Fay
Do you want to go to college? An awkward laugh. A quizzical look. I’m serious. Do you want to go to college? Yeah… I think so? Yes. I get the quizzical look and laughter. I appreciate it is an odd question coming from an independent educational consultant (IEC) who has been hired by the student’s family to help navigate the path to higher education, but I still think the “do you want to go to college?” question and, its inevitable follow up, “why?” are an important way for us to begin our work together. Because if a student doesn’t know why he or she wants to go to college, that student is unlikely to get the most out of the significant investment of time and money the family is about to commit to higher education. The cost of college is astronomical—and the cost of going before you are ready is even higher. In 2011, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa, professors at NYU and UVA, respectively, published a book called Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses. The authors studied data from student surveys and analyzed transcripts, tracking the academic progress of 2,300 traditionally aged college students at four-year institutions. Their findings rocked the academic world. Among them: • 45 percent of students "did not demonstrate any significant improvement in learning" during the first two years of college. • 36 percent of students "did not demonstrate any significant improvement in learning" over four years of college. 42 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
A Dragons student admiring the the hard-earned view of Machu Picchu, Peru. Andes & Amazon Semester.
In short, they concluded, many students were “drifting through college without a clear sense of purpose.”1 While the methodology behind Academically Adrift has some critics, I think anyone who works with young people recognizes that there are a number of “drifters” out there— kids who went to college before they were ready; students who would have benefited from a gap year. My “why college” line of questioning is designed to either help the student discern his or her own answer or design a plan for finding that answer before starting college. Going to college ready and excited to get the most out of the experience usually means that you’ll come away from college with a useful degree that launches your professional career in addition to those good friends and special memories we all associate with a traditional college experience. A gap year isn’t for everyone, of course, but considering what you might do if you didn’t go to college right away can be an interesting exercise in beginning to answer the very questions we started with. Do you want to go to college? Why? • 1
Winterline Global Skills student practicing her customer service and business etiquette skills in Amsterdam
Inside Higher Ed
Ginger Fay has over 20 years of experience in college admissions and college counseling. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Liberal Studies from Duke University. Learn more about Ginger at www.faycc.com.
FO R PA R E N T S :
Why Learning a Language Overseas during a Gap Year Can Enrich Your Teen's Life by Tracy Morgan Many educational experts are quick to extol the virtues of taking a gap year between high school and college, in that it brings immense benefits (both personal and career-wise) for teens. Learning (or improving) a language not only provides a great deal of satisfaction, but it can also set a teen in good stead for future life.
What Benefits Can Learning a Language Offer?
The most important, and long-reaching, benefit of learning a new language is undoubtedly for future career prospects. Having a second (or third) language under their belt can open up a teenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s options, and make them very valuable to a wide range of prospective employers.
However, improved career possibilities are not the only benefit: learning a new language, and being able to use it (especially with native speakers) is an incredible confidence-builder, very rewarding, and brings about a sense of accomplishment and pride. It also opens up a teenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s horizons, allowing them to view the world through different eyes, and experience how others live and think.
Which Method of Learning Is Right for Your Teen? Although there are opportunities to learn a language during their gap year on home soil, the majority head overseas; however, the way it is done depends on the teen involved and opportunities open to them. Some choose
to enroll in a school and learn the language in a more academic way, whereas others dive head first, immersing themselves in the culture and surrounding themselves with the locals. In a formal setting. Formally learning a language involves students attending structured classes, where they are thoroughly taught every aspect of the language. Students come away with an in-depth understanding of grammatical rules and are usually equally competent in writing, listening to, and speaking the language. Some teens prefer this formal, structured approach, where others may find it rigid, inflexible, and simply way too much like school (which for some, may seem like defeating the object of using a gap year away from studies). This method is also the more costly option, as tuition fees can be high. However, the major benefit of learning in this way is that it results in a recognizable qualification. Immersed in local culture. Some teens learn better on their toes, relishing the direct, hands-on approach, such as teaching children in
a remote part of Costa Rica. Although definitely hairy at times, a great benefit of being thrown in at the deep end is that you either sink or swim, with no option but to learn the language â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and fast! Although this method of learning is fast-paced, there is often a lack of formal knowledge (teens may become fluent, yet might not have a great understanding of grammatical concepts or learn how to write particularly well), and there is usually no recognized language qualification to come back home with. A combination of the two. In general, the majority of teens studying a language during their gap year have a combination of both learning experiences. Many choose to live with a host family, for example, working as an au pair, and also attend school; this means that they get both the formal education and qualification, plus the opportunity to learn the language first-hand, among the locals. The benefits of learning a language overseas speak for themselves. One thing is sure: your teen will return home not only conversing in another language, but also with an entirely new outlook on life, which widens their prospects and opportunities immensely. â&#x20AC;˘
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46 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
Index
ADVERTISEMENT LISTING
Gap Year Programs A Broader View Volunteers Corps
-
19
Adventures Cross-Country
-
19
Africa & Asia Venture
-
19
African Conservation Experience
-
22
AFS-USA Intercultural Programs
-
27
American University Gap Program
36
17
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
19
19
Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS)
-
20
Art History Abroad
44
27
Aspire by API: Gap Year Programs in Argentina, Chile, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain
29
27
Camp Eagle
21
20
Cape Eleuthera Institute Gap Year
Inside Back Cover 23
Carpe Diem Education
-
27
Center for Study Abroad (CSA)
-
17
CESA Languages Abroad
32
28
CIEE: Gap Year Abroad
-
20
Dynamy Internship Year
40
25
Eastman Immersion Gap Year
-
19
EF Academic Year Abroad & Gap Year Program
-
17
EnRoute Consulting
-
23
First Abroad
-
28
GAP Year at SOAR
5
27
Gap Year Design
33
23
Global Citizen Year
15
20
Glorieta Walkabout Program
21
17
InnerPathWorks
9 17
ISA Gap Year
-
17
The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs 47
Index
ADVERTISEMENT LISTING
Kivu Gap Year
6
LEAPNOW
Inside Front Cover 28
Maximo Nivel
-
17
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
1
18
Outward Bound Gap Year Program
-
18
Pacific Discovery - GAP Year and Summer Programs
18
28
RIDGE Mountain Academy
43
18
Rustic Pathways Gap Year
-
28
Sea|mester
Back Cover 17
St. Norbert Gap Experience at St. Norbert College
13
17
Summit Adventure
22
18
Take Australia
28
26
Taylor the Gap
23
25
The Academy at Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program
26
26
The Center for Interim Programs
34
25
The Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Tech
27
17
The Leap
10
23
The Post Graduate Program at Interlochen Arts Academy
-
19
Thinking Beyond Borders
-
29
Twin Eagles Widlerness Immersion Program
39
18
Tzedek America
45
18
VisitOz
- 26
Where There Be Dragons
25
29
Winterline Global Skills Program
46
26
WorldStamp by Dream Volunteers
20
22
Youth For Understanding (YFU)
31
17
Youth International: Experiential Learning in Asia/South America
-
29
48 The TeenLife Guide to Gap Year Programs
26