Make It Better Guide to a Gap Year

The school counselor mentioned a "gap year." What is a gap year? Would it be good for your young adult? Make It Better offers comprehensive articles and resources about this practice:

Make It Better and National News Articles:

Gap Year on a Budget

The Real-World Advantages of a Gap Year

The Importance of Taking a Gap Year

Northbrook's Ethan Steinberg Blogs His Gap Year Teaching English in Nepal

College Prep: Should Your Child Take a Gap Year?

The 4-Year Fork in the Road: College Alternatives

Gap Year: 9 Great Reasons to Consider

Mind the Gap

Delaying College to Fill in the Gaps (Wall Street Journal)

Slideshow

Local web sites:

Mine the Gap – A Chicago-area based program "designed to give seniors and graduates who wish to take a GAP year after high school a structured way to prepare for the next phase of life by introducing them to a variety of theme-based modules and experiences."

National web sites/resources:

Americorps – Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are eligible for Americorps, which offers thousands of service programs, inlcludes a living allowance, and almost $5,000 for college upon completion.

BridgeYear – an intertnational GAP year program located in Chile and Argentina, during which you can study Spanish.

Bridgton Academy – A boys-only preparatory school located in Maine, that offers specialized programming that develops academic skills, study skills, self-discipline and confidence. 12 courses with transferable college credit are available.

Disney CareerStart Program – A 7-month, "structured living, learning and earning program for high school graduates who are unsure of their future path and looking for a new experience that will provide them more than just a job."

G.A.P. Adventures – More than 20 years old, this program specializes in unique, smal group travel experiences, with more than 1,000 choices in over 100 countries.

Global Volunteer Network – An opportunity to work, volunteer, live and learn while traveling abroad, with programs ranging from academic year-length to homestay and work and travel options, in more than 30 countries worldwide.

LeapYear Experiential College Alternatives and Internships – Three-months and nine-month programs are just two types of LeapYear opportunities, ranging from educational to work-based immersion into different cultures around the world.

Seamester – Educational opprtunities at sea, usually a semester long, during which students spend that time sailing between islands countries and even continents–all while earning college credit.

Projects Abroad - Projects Abroad is one of the largest overseas volunteer organizations in the world. Founded in 1992, it sends over 8,000 people a year on a variety of international service projects and internships.

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Where There Be Dragons – An encounter-based travel opportunity for students looking for a "profoundly educational experience" in countries such as India and China.