Gap Year Ideas

bananas55 · 03-07-2009, 04:21 PM

I want to take a gap year this upcoming school year ('09-'10).

I am trying to find something inexpensive, meaningful, and interesting to do.

So far, I have pondered going to China and learning Mandarin, or going to South America and teaching (I can speak spanish).

Have any of you taken a gap year? What did you do? I need ideas!

Wes Henricksen · 03-10-2009, 01:40 AM

Is your gap year between high school and college? I think gap year programs are great, but it may be an even better idea to study during college (and actually get credit for it). Here's an article I wrote on the subject: College Guidance Examiner: Things to keep in mind when choosing a study abroad program

sevan9 · 03-13-2009, 04:47 AM

Do a search on this board. There are some great gap year posts here and in retrospect, I wish I did it. Its a great way to learn about yourself and mature a little before going to college.

Having lived in China, I am biased and think its a great way to see the other side of the world but whatever you choose, you'll have a great time. Let us know what you decide!

Eebie · 03-14-2009, 02:34 PM

A gap year was a luxury afforded by the upper middle income families or higher. It seems now every graduate will be having a gap year!

Just kidding of course. To keep things in perspective, this is not the first time graduates have entered a poor job market. This too will pass and before you know it, you will be wishing you did something constructive with that time off.

Why not use this time to develop a skill? There are loads of resources online. For example, you could learn how to build a business model in excel (very valuable commercial skill), take the time to learn a new language or why not get ready for the corporate jungle and learn about how things really work in the office with this Graduate Programs

I wish I had found that site when I was starting out. It would have saved me so much time.

CaseSpartan10 · 03-15-2009, 09:27 AM

When I was in a hostel in the Scottish highlands, the guy working there told us how he was hopping from hostel to hostel around Europe getting work. They provide accomodation, and some type of salary, and it seems like it'd be an awesome way to spend a year. Apparently, youth hostels are always looking for help.

haikumarukuchan · 03-15-2009, 04:25 PM

I have a current GAP year between HS and College

I volunteered, I got a scholarship to be part of the program (like they paid for almost all the expenses except food and personal stuff)

I am part of a medical volunteer program emphasizing in Rural medicine and hospital volunteer.

It's Amazing, and I have used it as a "hook" to apps

csleslie51 · 03-16-2009, 07:30 PM

Check out GAPYEAR.COM - Ideas, Volunteering, Backpacking & Travel Mates. It is out of Britain but is full of ideas.

defusee · 03-18-2009, 05:20 AM

I want to take a gap year, too, but it's looking super hard. I'm not covered under parent's health insurance if I'm not a full-time student, and there are NO full time jobs with health benefits here for HS grads with minimal experience. So many people are out of work and taking what are normally "summer jobs", though they're overqualified, just for benefits.

After figuring THAT expensive conundrum out, or deciding to forgo insurance for the year (gulp), I think a work exchange is realistic. Super cheap, if you're interested in that sort of thing. TONS of certified organic (and non-organic) farms will give you a place to stay, food, and education about farming in exchange for a max of 5 hrs of labor a day. Not bad! You can find those kinds of things all over.

SamualUK · 04-09-2009, 06:06 AM

You wont learn mandarin in a year, 10 years maybe. I wouldn't advise booking a gap year on one of the specialist sites, its much, much cheaper to plan your own.

I am self studying Norwegian, so iv chosen to spend my gap year at a Folkehøgskole in Norway. Lots of my friends have simply hopped on a train to France/Germany/Spain/Italy and got work in English speaking shops, schools or pubs.

briguy · 04-09-2009, 09:59 PM

did any of you who took a gap year have problems with applying for scholarships? i won a full scholarship to study abroad in Germany for my senior year but I'm considering doing a gap year instead. Any ideas? Thanks

shelley14 · 04-10-2009, 03:30 PM

My daughter is in the midst of finalizing her plans to spend a gap year in England.
I am wondering what is the best way to get money to her while she is there? I hate the idea of her using her debit card and having to pay the 3% international fee.

csleslie51 · 04-10-2009, 04:31 PM

Have her open a local account. That is often advised for students studying abroad for a year. Google "study abroad bank accounts" and you can get some ideas.

SamualUK · 04-17-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

@SamualUK

Mandarin is difficult but it doesn't take 10 years to learn. I've known people that have made immense progress in 1 year of intense studying. It takes dedication and practice but it can be done.

10 years is not an unreasonable amount of time if you want to achieve fluency in Mandarin. My aunt for example, she lived in rural China (where nobody speaks English) for 6 years, she learnt a lot but did not reach fluency.

I know people who've studied East Asian languages half their lives and lived there for a decade, they’re still learning.

FBItomboy007 · 05-18-2010, 08:53 PM

I am considering taking a gap year after next year as well. After doing some research, I have definitely found that it pays to be prepared - have a good idea of what you want to do so that you get something accomplished. My idea is to work for the first portion of the year (hopefully on a dude ranch) then to travel abroad and work a bit there as a teacher or something while experiencing cultural and language emergence (hopefully in Austria/Germany). This way, you have some work experience AND can fund other portions of the year. My only concern is whether I'll want to return to school after the end of the year!

BolivianExpress · 07-15-2010, 05:50 PM

I represent the Bolivian Express, an English language magazine based in La Paz, Bolivia. We have started a gap year program that some of you might find interesting.

As a participant in our program you will work in the Bolivian Express office as a journalist. In addition you will be provided with photography lessons, cinematography lessons and magazine design lesson by experts in their respective fields.

You will also be provided with accommodation in La Paz, alongside Spanish lessons at a variety of levels. You will receive Bolivian press passe on arrival and will be paired with locals in La Paz and encouraged to explore Bolivian culture, eventually producing four pages of content for the magazine each month.

You can see our website Home - The Bolivian Express for more info