Gap Year Workshop: First Session
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Transcript of Gap Year Workshop: First Session
What is a Gap Year?
A Gap Year is a structured period of personal growth that can include
activities such as volunteering, interning, language study, outdoor adventure, travel and enrichment
programs.
A gap year is typically taken between high school graduation
and higher education.
Why Now?Critical Traits for Today’s Youth:
• Ability to work collaboratively• Effective communicators (oral and
written)• Problem solvers and change
makers• Fluency in global issues• Critical thinkers• Ability to follow-through on goals• Adaptability• Initiative and entrepreneurialism• Accessing and analyzing
information• Curiosity and imagination
Types of Gap Year Opportunities
• Volunteering
• Internships
• Working
• Courses
• Experiential Education
• Study Abroad
• Work Exchange
• Exploring/Traveling
Experiential Education
• Traveling in a group (5-20 students)• Exploring a region of the world• Engaging in short term service
projects• Language study• Reflective & Mentored• Skills building
Core Elements
• NOLS or Outward Bound• Carpe Diem• Youth International• Pacific Discovery• Thinking Beyond Borders• Where There Be Dragons
Program Examples Cost:$7,000-$18,000 per 12 weeks
Scholarships available
Interning/Apprenticeship
• Career-related experience• Domestic or International • Live in apartments or homestay• Not as group oriented – more
independent • Skills building
Core Elements
• Connect 123• Adelante Abroad (Spanish)• World Endeavors• The Intern Group• Dynamy (Boston)• The Apprenticeshop (boat building)
Program Examples Cost:$0-domestic
$1,500-$3,000 plus living expenses international
Apprenticeships vary
Working
• Make money to offset other parts of your gap year
• Exploring a region of the world• Skills building • Can take place in summer or during
gap year• Doesn’t have to be at home!
Core Elements
• BUNAC (work abroad)• National Parks Service• Summer Camps• Dude Ranches• Raft Guiding
Program Examples Cost:Visas/housing
Otherwise it’s a + income!
Volunteering
• Giving back to a community• Can be individual or with a group • Domestic or International • Language study (if desired)• Skills building • Popular types: Teaching, Conservation,
Animals, Community Development • Not usually free (and that’s ok)
Core Elements
• GVI• Omprakash• Africa/Asia Venture• City Year & Americorps• Volunteers for Peace• CIME Costa Rica
Program Examples Cost:$500-$5,000per 12 weeks
Scholarships sometimes available
Ethical VolunteeringOnline Resources:• Ethicalvolunteering.org
• Comhlamh.org
• USAGYF article: Ethical Gap Year Programs
Things to Think About:• Vulnerable children
• Where the money goes
• Local support
• Why they need volunteers
• Who is running the project?
• Beware of large companies running many programs
• Respect for locals
• Keeping expectations realistic
Courses
• Learn a skill that you’ve been wanting to develop
• Usually short term (couple weeks- a month)• Language study (if desired)• Skills building • Examples: Arts (painting/ceramics),
Photography, Film, Surfing, Outdoors Skills, Foreign Language
Core Elements
• Yestermorrow School• SACI Florence• Yanapuma Language School
(Ecuador)• Ticket to Ride (surfing)• Adventure Ireland (surfing and life
guarding)
Program ExamplesCost:$1,000-$3000 per month
Work Exchange
• Working in exchange for room/board• Exploring a region of the world• Engaging in short term projects• Language study (If desired)• Domestic or Abroad• Skills building • Popular activities: Farming, babysitting, working
at a B&B
Core Elements
• WWOOF• Help Exchange• Workaway
Website Examples
Cost:Free or nominal cost
Scholarships available
Study Abroad
• Gaining credits for classroom study• Learning in a group • Exploring a region of the world• Language study• Popular in Europe, South Africa and
South America• Credits transfer can be tricky
Core Elements
• Aspire by API• CIEE• SOL Education Abroad• Performing Arts Abroad• SEAmester
Program Examples Cost:$10,000-$25,000per 12 weeks
Scholarships available
Making It a Reality
College/Post Gap• Defer admission to your top choice
school• Financial Aid – check the next year’s
packages• If you haven’t applied, factor that into
your plans
Itinerary• Research is key• How many programs/opportunities?• When will you do what• Deadlines
Budget • Domestic vs. International• How much can be contributed?• Fundraising/working• Financial Aid• All the costs: airfare, program fees,
insurance, gear, meals etc
YOUR Gap Year!Questions to Ask Yourself
• What are your gap year goals?
• Have you had any travel, volunteer or study experiences? What places did you love?
• Do you know a foreign language? Is there a language you’ve always wanted to learn?
• What are your hobbies?
• What are your strengths? What do you have to give?
• If you could affect change for once issue of concern in the world, what would it be?
• If you could travel anywhere or do anything, what would you do?
Questions adapted from “The Complete Guide to the Gap Year” by Kristin White
Notes:
Resources
Websites • Americangap.org
• USAgapyearfairs.org
• Gooverseas.com
• TransitionsAbroad.com
Books• The Compete Guide to the Gap Year by Kristin White
• Lonely Planet’s Gap Year Book
• The World Awaits by Paul Otteson
Volunteering & Travel Websites• GVIusa.com• Omprakash.org• Aventure.co.uk• CityYear.org• Volunteers for Peace - vfp.org• CIME cimecr.org• Yanapumaspanish.org• HelpX.net• CarpeDiemEducation.org• PacificDiscovery.com• OysterWorldwide.com• SafePassage.org • BlueVentures.org• HaciendaTranquila.com • Americorps (google)