A Gap Year is structured period that a student intentionally takes, typically between high school and university. Although much more common in England, Europe, and Australia, Gap Years have begun to gain more traction in the United States. Traditionally thought of as “time off,” we at The Intentional Gap prefer to think of them as “time on.” Time on to pursue things that you’ve always been curious about. Time to learn a new language, meet new people, experience new cultures, and challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone. Traditionally taken between one’s graduation from high school and start of college, a Gap Year can be taken any time in your life. It’s never too late to learn something new!

As Joseph O’Shea so perfectly states: “The challenges of our time demand an educational system that can help young people become citizens of the world.” There will likely be no other time in your life when you can so easily take the time to explore, learn, and grow without the obligations of a career, family, job, and mortgage or rent. In a 2020 study conducted by the Gap Year Association, 98% of Gap Year returnees stated that they felt taking a Gap Year made them more mature and confident, and 84% stated that they felt more academically motivated upon return. If you feel like you would benefit from shaking things up a bit, then a Gap Year is for you!

It is not hyperbole to say that there are as many options for a Gap Year as there are people taking them. Want to improve your Spanish? Why not volunteer in an after school program in Peru? Interested in marine biology? Why not work with a group in Fiji monitoring sea turtles and earn your PADI certificate? Want to experience Australian culture on the cheap? Why not work on organic farms there in exchange for room and board? If you can dream it, we can help you make it reality.

Gap Year consultants are uniquely positioned to create Gap Year plans that are just right for you. Their extensive knowledge and relationships help you know what’s really going on behind the scenes. At The Intentional Gap, we work with intention and integrity to find programs that are community-led, and follow the principals of Fair Trade Learning. Most people don’t have time to sort through the thousands of Gap Year programs that exist to find the one that’s just right for them, but Gap Year consultants take time to get to know you and your passions to make sure that you have the best experience possible.

Not necessarily! Gap Years are flexible; that’s part of their beauty. Most Gap Years, however, last between 3-6 months. Some of the more structured programs have specific start and stop dates, but most Gap Year options have much more open scheduling.

We follow the Fair Trade Learning philosophy here at The Intentional Gap, Fair Trade Learning. Programs and projects are carefully vetted to ensure that they are valuable, and community-led, where gappers work alongside, and learn from locals leading the projects.

Part of a Gap Year consultant’s role is to help navigate this question alongside your family. A Gap Year isn’t for everyone and should be considered carefully. A good first step is to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria, and then schedule a call with us.