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The Gap YearDid you know that the acceptance letters sent out to successful applicants at Harvard contain a suggestion to students that they consider taking time off from school? Taking a year off between high school and college is an idea that is gaining in popularity. Spending a "gap year" involved in working, traveling, studying, volunteering, or a combination of these types of activities can be a uniquely rewarding experience. In addition, the lessons learned and skills gained in terms of independence, intellectual and emotional maturity and a generally broadened perspective often turn out to be significant and valuable assets that a student then brings to his or her college experience. The options for how to spend your gap year are almost limitless, and there are very few firm guidelines. However, if you are serious about pursuing this concept, there are a few basics to keep in mind: It is best to find a structured activity or program (or more than one) to be involved in. APPLY TO COLLEGE ANYWAY. Keep in mind that many schools will allow a student to defer admission for a year once they have been accepted. (And besides, if you should change your mind...) Research the options thoroughly. Programs vary incredibly in terms of cost, duration, structure, etc. Find something that you feel excited about and that looks like a good fit and an interesting challenge. Read, surf the web, write letters, ask questions, visit your library. This will be the first stage of an unforgettable adventure! Start your search right away by looking at some of the resources listed below. Books:
by Colin Hall, Ron Lieber The UnCollege Alternative by Danielle Kwatinetz Wood Time Out: Taking a Break from School, to Travel, Work, and Study in the U. S.and Abroad by Robert Gilpin, Caroline Fitzgibbons More Than a Native Speaker: An Introduction for Volunteers Teaching English Abroad by Donald B. Snow Programs and Organizations:
Full-time national service projects; earn a $4,725 voucher to pay college tuition. Center for Interim Programs With this service the student can pursue structured alternatives to formal education or work by matching the studentŐs interests with over 2,500 internships, volunteer positions, and apprenticeships worldwide. www.interimprograms.com Service Projects Worldwide: Time Out P.O. Box 503 Milton, MA 02186 (617) 698-8977 Outward Bound Challenging outdoor education programs which range in length from three weeks to a semester. www.outwardbound.org Dynamy A Year-long program of internships in Worcester, MA with an option for college credits. City Year A national service organization for young adults ages 17-23 who are interested in full-time community service, leadership development, and civic engagement. Accord Cultural Exchange Au pair placements in Europe. International Center University of Michigan Action Without Borders Action Without Borders is a global coalition of individuals and organizations working to build a world where all people can live free, dignified and productive lives. www.idealist.org/mission.html People to People International People to People International arranges unpaid internships in London, Dublin, Moscow, Paris Prague and other foreign cities. (816) 531-4701 www.ptpi.org Habitat for Humanity Students spends the summer providing public health services in Latin American countries Young people from the US develop leadership skills and an understanding of other cultures while participating in this unique program. www.habitat.org Life Long Education Alternatives and Programs LEAPNow is a leading source for low-cost internships, volunteer positions, work exchanges, and experiential academic programs in 129 countries and the U.S. We have 20 years experience tailoring custom programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. www.leapnow.org GlobalQuest GlobalQuest offers twelve-week semester programs in international settings. The program was established in 1999 and initial semester offerings are based in Thailand. As GlobalQuest grows, we will offer semesters throughout the world. GlobalQuest is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization. Rotary Youth Exchange The Experience of a Lifetime Every year approximately 7,000 students ages 15 to 19 go abroad under the auspices of the Rotary Youth Exchange program, either for the academic year or an extended period of time. United World Colleges A two-year international school experience for students 16 to 19, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) program with a curriculum equivalent to advanced grades 11 and 12. American Field Studies Intercultural Programs (AFS) AFS arranges exchanges for high school students in dozens of countries. 1-800-AFS-INFO Youth for Understanding An international exchange program. Live with a family and experience their country as a resident rather than a tourist. www.yfu.org Up with People An international organization which for 25 years has provided young men and women year-long opportunities for cross-cultural education, diverse community service, on-stage musical performance experience and extensive world travel. (602) 327-7351 Amigos de las Americas Students spend the summer providing public health services in Latin American countries. Young people from the US develop leadership skills and an understanding of other cultures while participating in this unique program. www.amigoslink.org Summer Opportunities Search Database of summer camp, academic, and travel programs. www.petersons.com/summerop National Outdoor Leadership School NOLS is not an adventure travel tour. NOLS is a wilderness education school offering expedition length courses in eight countries. The site includes course information, minimum impact techniques, wilderness first aid, and research reports. www.nols.edu Earthwatch Field research expeditions around the world. www.earthwatch.org American Association of Overseas Studies Program can be over a summer, a semester, a year or an entire degree. Argonne National Laboratory Pre-College research participation during an eight-week program. Very selective. National Audubon Society Audubon Expedition Institute is an environmental program in various settings for the first 2 years and the last 2 years are spent as a student at Lesley College. School for Field Studies Semester and summer programs seek to make tomorrow's leaders more environmentally literate. www.fieldstudies.org One more note: A search for "gap year" information on the internet will yield lots of sites and listings originating in the UK, as both the idea and the specific term are quite commonplace there. Check out these options as well, as some might prove interesting and workable. |
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