Gap Opportunities: Semester & Year
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Gap Years_ Exploring Opportunities After High School.mp4
Walker Coppedge '94, Director of College Guidance
"Sometimes a boy feels stuck in his personal or academic journey, sometimes he wants an exciting new adventure to shake things up, sometimes he has a passion to live and learn in a different setting, sometimes he wants a fresh start as a student, friend or son.
There are many different reasons why boys choose to go away and study away, and the results are always the same; he will come back to Belmont Hill more confident, more focused and more capable."
June Schmunk, Director of Counseling
EVENTS
20 January 2024 - Boston Gap Year Fair (Noble & Greenough)
RESOURCES
"Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation" -- NYT article about the value of gap experiences co-authored by Harvard's Dean & Director of Admissions & a lecturer in psychology from Harvard Ed School (2000).
What is a Gap Year?
What is Important to Me?
Gap Year Info for Parents
Sample Gap Semester/ Year schedules.
Let your imagination run wild!
The icons below provide links to some of the many organizations that offer
Gap Semester & Gap Year opportunities. We have not vetted these programs; they were culled from numerous Gap listings, including those posted on university websites.
ADVENTURE & OUTDOORS
Based in South Africa, the Warriors Academy offers 7-week Quests and Gap Year program (includes 4 7-week Quests). Quests feature adventure activities, soft skill workshops, & personal mentoring and leadership development.
Idaho & Chile (Idaho only during COVID) - emphasis on experiential learning, leadership development, & eco/ cultural awareness-building (part of Semester Schools Network)
Through cultural immersion, impactful volunteer projects, and shared experiences, ARCC students engage in intimate authentic encounters with the people, the cultures and the lands they visit. Programs on multiple continents.
Gap semester & gap year programs designed to challenge perspectives, promote cross-cultural exchange, and inspire personal growth.
Live on beachfront property, study on the crystal clear Caribbean waters, and earn your PADI Open and Advanced SCUBA certifications during a 6-week marine science program through the nonprofit, International Field Studies (IFS).
NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership Schools)
Experiential outdoor leadership adventures for gap years & gap semesters.
Semester & Gap Year expeditions
Pacific Discovery Gap Year Programs
Combining rugged journeys to spectacular locations with cultural immersion, language study, service-learning projects, & adventure, PD offers programs throughout the Pacific Rim, from Hawai'i & Fiji to Australia & New Zealand to Peru & the Galapagos.
(30 year-old program)
UK-based program offering international volunteer experiences for young adults in Costa Rica and South Africa.
This Montana-based program is dedicated to helping student athletes cultivate passion, focus, and happiness, through tailored coaching in mountain sports & goal-oriented physical training.
YMCA of the Rockies
Gap Program
The programs are divided into two tracks; The Discover Program at Snow Mountain Ranch and the Elevate Program at Estes Park Center.
INTERCULTURAL & INTERNATIONAL & SERVICE
Since 2004, African Impact have delivered life changing and responsible volunteer and internship programs across Africa. Come join our dedicated teams and experience projects developed and grown hand-in-hand with local communities.
Spend a gap semester or gap year in Sevilla, Spain (minimum Advanced Beginner level in Spanish).
CIEE Center for International Educational Exchange
Founded in 1947, CIEE operates multiple high school and college study abroad programs with a mission to humanize international relations and foster peace through cultivation of intercultural understanding.
The International School of Beijing (ISB) is an extraordinary school, with a history of excellence spanning over 40 years. Our mission, vision, and core values are fulfilled by passionate, highly qualified educators who all want the best for every student, early years through grade 12. The International School of Beijing was the first international school in Beijing and today is recognized as a leading learning community. (US State Dept)
The Global Ambassador Program (GAP) invites high school students (aged 15-19) from around the world to gain a place in the program and enjoy our top co-curricular and academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and immersive Chinese culture and language experience. Prior experience learning Mandarin is required. To more about the the School Year Beijing (one-year) program, reach out to gap@isb.cn.
NSLI-Y (National Security Language Institute - Youth)
The U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with American Councils for International Education, awards and administers merit-based scholarships to high school students for participation in summer and academic year immersion programs in locations where the eight NSLI-Y languages are spoken. Languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, Turkish.
Application Timeline: deadline early November
Virtual NSLI-Y: program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, introduces U.S. high school students to languages critical to U.S. national security. Virtual NSLI-Y is a 10-week, beginner-level foreign language and culture experience. Participants are placed into a virtual class of approximately 10 students and an experienced teacher that meets two times per week for 90 minute sessions. Languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Russian, Turkish.
APPLICATIONS OPEN annually in Summer.
English Speaking Union
Secondary School Exchange Scholarship
Gap semester & year programs.
SERVICE & INTERNSHIPS
Well-established program that offers gap year internships abroad.
Americorps National Civilian Community Corps
National yearlong service program. Opportunities available in the following 6 areas: Disaster Services; Economic Opportunity; Education; Environmental Stewardship; Healthy Futures; Veterans & Military Families.
CUSTOM & MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMS
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