Are there any non-degree academic options for someone taking a gap year?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

I’m from Canada, but finished my freshman year at a U.S. college recently.
I’m going to apply to transfer to a school in Canada, mainly because of unforeseen financial circumstances. The problem is I can only apply for the Fall 2017 semester now–so taking a gap year is my only option.
I know there are many gap year programs that include mostly volunteering and travelling across the world. However, I’d really prefer something academic, like a certificate or something of the sort, at a university or other types of academic institutions. I’d prefer it if it wasn’t for credit since I’d like to apply only with the credits I already have (Canadian schools are a little less flexible when it comes to requirements, so I would rather continue the rest of my education when I officially enrol next year).
So do you know of anything that doesn’t entail credits but is academic that I can do in a semester? Like a programming certificate, a writing or science program, research, etc. I have very diverse interests! It can be anywhere in the world.

Thanks!

2

Wouldn’t the logical activity be to get a job???

3

I am working in my hometown until December, but I’d like to do something different afterwards, maybe I’ll work part time if it’s in Canada or a country that allows students to work (US doesn’t). The schools I’m applying to are not going to be “financially challenging”, anyway, and I’m not going back to my current very expensive school.

4

I don’t know of any country on earth that allows UNSKILLED workers to come in and displace local workers from PLEASANT jobs. It’s a different matter if you are SKILLED.

Can you ski??? There is high demand for English-speaking ski instructors in Japan. There are lots if English-speaking ski instructors to be found in Europe, but not in Japan. They have to recruit them from overseas.