Blog
Advice from Recent Gap Year Alums
As we move past graduation and into the summer, it's common for students to start to feel their gap year is suddenly very *real*. Depending on the person, this realization can result in excitement, anxiety, nervous anticipation - but most commonly, a combination of...
Summer Job Tips
How to Land a Summer Job Before or After Your Gap YearTime to make some cash to add to your gap year piggy bank! Easy, right? The reality right now is that the summer job market for 18–19 year olds is a bit tighter. Some employers are hiring more cautiously. Some are...
Educational trends shaping student paths in 2026 and beyond
Do you ever feel like we are educating kids for a world that no longer exists? I've felt like this for a while to one degree or another. Intuitively, I've always felt that a huge piece of early adulthood development is missing from prescribed path of the past 50...
What to Expect as a Gap Year Parent
Sending your child off on a gap year is a milestone for the whole family. It is both thrilling and nerve-wracking, often bringing up feelings of pride, excitement, and uncertainty. For your student, this is a step into independence and adulthood. For you, it is a...
Managing Risk on Your Gap Year
Just like any choice in life, taking a gap year is not a zero-risk proposition. That’s actually the point. Stepping into new cultures, unfamiliar routines, and unexpected learning curves is exactly what makes the experience worthwhile. Here’s the key. While you can’t...
Your Guide to Navigating a USA Gap Year Fair
Are you ready to explore the possibilities of a gap year and attend a USA Gap Year Fair? These fairs are an exciting opportunity to meet representatives from gap year programs, connect with like-minded adventurers, and take a big step toward planning your gap year...
Mentally Preparing for a Gap Year – Advice from a Gap Year Alum
Starting your gap time can be an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience, filled with the excitement of new adventures and the anxiety of unknowns. Unlike the physical preparations of planning, budgeting, and packing, the mental and emotional aspects can feel less within your control. This blog post emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and embracing the discomfort that comes with new experiences, as these moments of unease are essential for personal growth and adaptation.
Reflective Journaling Prompts for Recently Returned Gap Year Students
You’ve just completed a life-changing gap year, filled with adventures, challenges, and countless moments of growth. Now that you’re home, it’s time to process everything you’ve experienced and start integrating these lessons into your everyday life. Reflective journaling is a powerful tool to help you do just that. Below are some questions to guide your reflections.
Gap Year to Freshman Year
Navigating my transition from a transformative gap year in Cape Town to college life, I discovered key strategies that eased the shift. From reuniting with friends and creating a travel journal to working at my childhood camp, these steps helped me process my experiences and prepare for the academic journey ahead.