<p>I am just so happy for Andison. If he does an anonymous blog on his voyage (of course we do respect his privacy) clue us in so we can follow along. And do a Google search on Font De Gaume - in the Dordogne - in particular. It is one of the few remaining real caves with prehistoric paintings open in the world. Another killer thing for teens is called the Gouffre de Padirac, further inland but should be bikable. Food is fabulous. Lots of “campings” too in the area, and you never have to get too far from a river.</p>
<p>But where ever he goes he should carry best wishes with him. Tell him to play any piano he finds. He will have a catalogue of memories, playing piano in new places. Sunset in an old hotel. Morning in a cafe bar. Who knows?</p>
<p>My family spent part of the inferno summer of 2003 there. Our best day was in a river, up to our necks! Also not so far away (south of Montpelier) are great beaches in Sete & Agdes. Incredible Roman ruins abound in the area as well.</p>
<p>It can be fun to tie pleasure reading into the area one is visiting. Anything on the Roman empire, the Templar Knights… the book “Salt” might be a fun read too-- as this area was on the salt roads trade route.</p>
<p>Andi, I’ve been away, and have just read about the wonderful plans and great news. It sounds like your son has a terrific year ahead of him and that he is very excited about it. I’m so very glad. The reading he will do to prepare for his trip will be an education itself, too!</p>
<p>The plans are really shaping up well with more new things being added!!</p>
<p>Fall:</p>
<p>Music Outreach in underfunded schools
Teach piano at local music school
MIT two courses (macro economics which is totally new to him and calculus)
Private piano study culminating with a recital in January</p>
<p>Spring/Summer:</p>
<p>6-8 week internship in Washington DC (thanks to overanxiousmom!!!)
Followed by hard money-making work to pay for summer travel
Travel to stay with relatives in London and then bicycle trip in France w/cousin who is about the same age. He loves French language and culture so I’m sure he’ll have a fantastic time (must be in the blood as we’re descendants of Huguenots)</p>
<p>It’s going to be an incredible year!!! I NEVER thought I’d be happier to see him doing this than starting college- but I am.</p>
<p>Plus, he’s come around full circle and is now VERY pleased to be taking this time to explore.<br>
AND he’s getting most of his new application stuff done this summer so it doesn’t interfere with his plans- something he couldn’t have been strong-armed by a 300-lb gorilla into doing last year.</p>
<p>ps jmmom I just noticed that you were the op, sorry for the mistake. </p>
<p>I gotta say, it’s great to feel positive and optimistic again!!!</p>
<p>I am sooo happy for the 2 of you . what started out as a truly sad experience has really turned out to be almost a blessing in disguise. </p>
<p>Once again , I can’t comment enough on the you have extrordinary amount of grace you have shown going through this whole ordeal. </p>
<p>weeping may endure for a night buy joy will come in the morning. I am glad that after the long night in the admissions process, you are on the brink of morning.</p>
<p>I am a true beleiver that you are where you need to be. This unexpected gift is truly going to add a new dimension to your son. I beleive that everything next year is going to be better than you could imagine and I would not be suprised to hear you say that this has been one of the best years of your son’s life because it certainly seems to be shaping up that way.</p>
<p>Hooray for Andison! After so much heartbreak it is great to hear of a new start. I can’t help but think that this will make him a much more focussed, knowledgeable and attractive candidate for his favorite colleges. Be sure he leaves space for one last essay this fall before his new apps go off - imagine what kind of essays he can write about his experience after he comes full circle with a few months of gap year behind him! Good luck.</p>
<p>What a great year! College candidacy aside, think how much he will grow. He’ll come into college the following year and really take it by storm. I’m so glad that the temporary loss of one opportunity opened up so many other possibilities for him. Your family is the best!</p>
<p>Dordogne-Perigord is a gourmand’s delight as well as a feast for the eyes.
Another possibilty is for your S and his cousin to go to the Cevennes area. There are lots of sports activities, including hiking and canyoning (sounds awfully dangerous to me, but my nieces and nephews think it’s awesome). There are the wonderful Gorges du Tarn, and–of interest to Huguenot descendants–, the Musee du Desert which commemorates the history of French Protestants. Whichever itinerary he decides on, your S can describe his time in France as educational. He certainly will learn a lot about France and French culture.</p>
<p>Dear Andi,
So glad for you and Andison that the year is shaping up so beautifully for him, not just a filler or something to do that will look good, but something that will BE good, enjoyable, enriching, and wonderful for him and for all of the people he touches with his work and his music. Like so many of the other parents here, I really wanted something special to emerge for him, and I am so happy to learn of his plans.</p>
<p>Thanks Nester, you touched on one of the challenges that he faced in the early stages. Since he hadn’t planned on a gap year, ‘everything’ felt like ‘filler’ in the beginning–it took awhile to shift gears from ‘college’ plans to ‘gap’ year plans. After that transformation he was able to look at the gap year as something he wanted to do and saw as fun and fulfilling. Now he’'s full steam ahead.</p>
<p>Andi,
responding from the “dog house” - I am especially delighted for you and your son to see the total change in tone about this experience. I know this was a miserable situation to experience…I even added to your misery…but, my favorite post in this thread was #38…with the theme identified for the gap year of Old and New. Seems so simple, but it provides a tremendous foundation for your son to base his choices on… I have lived in France when I was your son’s age… my dad was assigned overseas with his company… I started college in Jan instead of Sept with all my peers as a result… looking back, I was extremely fortunate to have had that time in another country, that time with my own immediate family, the experience of “representing” America in France… sooo, based on what we all harvested from our interlude away from day to day reality, I am confident that your son and you will benefit from this upcoming year. </p>
<p>One question on the MIT classes…macro-economics often comes after micro-economics…has he taken micro already? not sure if imperative, but might merit consideration? </p>
<p>Goooood question zagat. As it stands now it’s looking like one old and four new. And one of the new ones includes our state university a “rock hard safety.” Lesson learned. :)</p>