A direct path from high school to college or university isn't for everyone.
Have you ever thought about taking a gap year?
Set Your Goals
What do you want to do with your gap year? Some possible goals could be:
Explore a career option
Learn a new skill (language, music, carpentry)
Save money for college
Travel (international or domestic)
Start Your Research
There are lots of reputable organizations that will organize a whole gap year for you, but they're not the only option.
Once you have your goals in mind, find out:
Do you want to work or volunteer?
Where do you want to go to?
When do you want to leave/return?
Is there a specific organization who can help you meet your goals?
Consider Your Finances
Not all gap years need to be expensive. You can take a DIY approach instead of having a company do it all for you.
Some potential ways to save money:
Work at home the first half of the year and then travel the second half
Volunteer in exchange for room and board
Apply for scholarships or fellowships
Apply for jobs in a new location
Help Flora Plan A Gap Year
Flora is from Canada and wants to have a career working with animals.
She thinks she can save about $4,000, wants to travel to a new country, and would love to learn a new language.
What should she do with her gap year?
A. Stay home and save money for college.
B. Find a reputable company that charges around $3,000 to volunteer with Sea Turtles and take Spanish lessons in Costa Rica.
C. Spend $10,000 traveling to 10 European countries in 8 weeks.
D. Work at a local zoo.
Quiz
What should Flora do on her gap year?
Take Action
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