So now that everyone is familiar with the gap year concept and the benefits of a gap year experience… where are you going to go?
First step: Apply and get in
Rising seniors considering a gap year experience should still apply to colleges this fall. The best plan is to apply, get accepted and then request a deferral. Make sure that any scholarships, admission to honors programs, etc. will be honored. Some colleges will not defer acceptances and you will need to either reactivate your application or reapply.
Second step: Research options
Here’s my take on some of the best gap year opportunities and resources:
GET PAID TO VOLUNTEER
Americorps: Participants can tutor and mentor disadvantaged youth, fight illiteracy, improve health services, build affordable housing or teach computer skills. Students can earn $4,725 to pay for college or graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. (www.americorps.gov)
CityYear: A yearlong community service, civic engagement and youth leadership program in the U.S. and now abroad. Stipend provided. Requires application. (www.cityyear.org)
Student Conservation Association: Provides hands-on conservation service opportunities in virtually every field imaginable, from tracking grizzlies or restoring desert ecosystems to building hiking trails or protecting threatened habitats. Participants receive a weekly living allowance and an education award of $4,725 at the end of their service. (www.thesca.org)
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
International travel: LeapNow offers a nine-month program that combines group travel in Asia or Latin America, individual internships in 126 countries and community service. Students can earn a full year of college credit. (www.leapnow.org)
Rotary Youth Exchange: Operates exchanges in more than 100 countries. In Rotary’s signature year-long program, students live with host families and attend school. (www.rotary.org)
Where There Be Dragons: These international programs focus on cross-cultural education, global citizenship and community action. They are rugged learning adventures. (www.wheretherebedragons.com)
GREAT RESOURCES
Israel: MASA Israel is a clearinghouse of more than 150 opportunities in Israel. Students can experience living on a sustainable farm, on a kibbutz or in major cities such as Haifa, Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. (www.masaisrael.org)
Center for Interim Programs: The oldest fee-based consulting service that matches students with an appropriate gap year experience. (www.interimprograms.com)
Enrichment Alley: Free online database where you can search opportunities by areas of interest. (www.enrichmentalley.com)
Planet Gap Year: Free online information and resources for gap year experiences in the US and overseas. (www.planetgapyear.com)
More Information
On My Bookshelf
“The Gap-Year Advantage – Helping Your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or During College,” Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson, $14.95
Hi Lee,
Thanks for your article – keep spreading the word about the power of the gap year!
I just wanted to reach out and connect you with the organization I work with – Global Citizen Year (GCY). Each year we select a diverse cohort of HS seniors as Fellows to immerse in developing nations during a bridge year before college. The heart of the experience is a 6-month apprenticeship w/ a community based development organization or small business or social enterprise – click here to take a look at the experience of one of our Fellows: http://www.vimeo.com/12250979.
The difference with GCY is really about the power of extended immersion (7+ months) vs. a travel focus, as well as a comprehensive training curriculum that explores leadership and international development from multiple perspectives and utilizes the deep expertise of our network in the US and abroad.
-Wil Keenan
Our daughter is going on her gap year with Young Judaea Year Course. It’s cost is $22,000. We were able to nibble it down to about $20,000 with help from MASA, Hadassah, and others. But we still need to bite a much larger chunk out of this. Lee, do you know of any sizable scholarship or grant we can shoot for?
I wish I did, sorry. I would suggest contacting your local Jewish Federation (Combined Jewish Philantrophies) and/or your synagogue. My daughter received money from both for a very interesting “Conflict Resolution” program.
No comment, just a question. Does a student have to be enrolled in a college to participate in this gap program? I am dealing with one who is still searching for the right thing.
Sorry – don’t know how old this question is… No you don’t have to be enrolled in a college to participate in gap year programs.