Students who a few months ago thought they would be going away to college in the fall, are now dealing with uncertainty, with some considering the gap year option for the first time as they find themselves having to choose a college without being able to visit in person. Know that you are not alone. This experience is a powerful reminder of how interconnected and interdependent the world is. We are all experiencing the vulnerability and collective strength that comes from that interdependence.
There is no specific formula for what a gap year looks like. While a gap year this fall might look a little different than some did pre-COVID-19, there’s no reason to expect the potential benefits will change.
Moving Forward with Gap Year Planning
1) Focus on Your Gap Year Goals
Ask yourself: Why do I want to take a gap year & What do I hope to get out of my gap year? With those goals in mind, I am working with clients to come up with at least 3 different options for each of their gap year phases (fall & spring). If one of your gap year goals is improving a foreign language, you might consider different options for language learning including different destinations for immersion experiences, as well as online learning options. This allows you to have some flexibility and adjust your plans based on what the situation is in the month or weeks before you are scheduled to launch that phase of your gap year.
2) Consider Dividing Your Gap Year Into Shorter Blocks
By breaking your gap year into different blocks of experiences and locations, you allow yourself flexibility with your plans and don't risk having your entire gap year upended if one part of your gap year needs to be rescheduled. This also allows you some extra time to shuffle plans around, postpone, or make changes as necessary.
An example for the fall semester might look something like this:
Mid-September - Mid-October 4-week Outdoor Education Program in the U.S. + Mid-October - November Online Teaching English as Foreign Language Certification Course + November - Mid-December 4-6 weeks of Volunteering as a Teaching Assistant in Central America.
OR
September 4-week Filmmaking Workshop + October Return home to apply to colleges & volunteer locally + November U.S. Road Trip with a friend while working on creative project to build your portfolio. December - January Work at home to save money for spring travels (ie. filmmaking internship abroad)
3) Consider Domestic Options (at least for the fall)
Maybe you were hoping to do some volunteering abroad to help people in need during your gap year. Coronavirus has highlighted the inequity that exists in our own society, as low-income families face food insecurity and children without internet access miss out on remote learning opportunities. There are likely families in your own community who could benefit from your unique skill set. You might consider tutoring younger students at your local elementary or middle school. You could volunteer at a local food bank or as a driver for meals on wheels. Check with local volunteer organizations or look on idealist.org to see if there are volunteer opportunities listed near you.
If are looking for a year-long service opportunity you might consider applying to be a fellow with CityYear. City Year is an affiliate of Americorps that recruits qualified volunteers to serve as tutors and mentors in public schools across the U.S.
Those that are passionate about conservation and the environment might seek out opportunities to volunteer with a Conservation Corps in their region. Depending on where in the country you serve, you might be involved in trail building and habitat restoration, disaster response, historic preservation, organic farming, urban forestry, or a range of other activities
If you are interested in politics, you might consider dedicating a portion of your gap year to political organizing. You could volunteer for a local candidate or work on a get out the vote campaign. Visit Election 2020 Gap Year for more ideas on ways to become politically engaged during your gap year.
4) Look for Opportunities to Earn College Credit
The coronavirus pandemic has affected many families’ financial situations, making it even more important that a gap year experience be affordable and offer excellent value. Keep in mind, if you defer your offer of admission for a gap year, most colleges will stipulate that you can not earn college credit elsewhere during your gap year. Earning college credit might only be an option if you decide to re-apply to colleges next year, rather than requesting a deferral.
One option that many students are weighing is whether to take a gap year or enroll at a local community college. Why not both? Students could choose to enroll part time at a local community college while also participating in a regular volunteer activity (tutoring, food bank, conservation work, political organizing, etc.).
Some organized gap year programs also offer the option to earn college credit outside of a classroom. A gap semester program with the option to earn a semester of college credit would allow families to get more value for their money. Imagine traveling with a group of peers, engaging in adventure activities, service, and cultural exploration while earning a semester of college credit. Students would get a semester of experiential learning with a small cohort of peers AND a semester of college credit, (often for less than at a 4 year institution). A gap year program with college credit typically costs around $10-15,000 and is sometimes eligible to be paid with a 529 college savings plan.
If a student were to choose to pursue both of these scenarios, (community college + volunteering locally in the fall & a gap year program with college credit in the spring) they might find themselves having completed a year worth of college credit during their gap year.
5) Ask About Cancellation Policies & Itinerary Changes
Many gap year organizations have already begun creating contingency plans for the fall. Most providers have extended their refund policies, so that students can cancel without significant financial penalty up until a later date than usual. Inquire directly with any program providers about questions or concerns you might have about contingency plans they might be considering (changing itineraries, shortening trips, etc.) and specific details about cancellation and refund policies. Be sure to ask what would happen if the program is interrupted. Would refunds be issued? How much? Be sure that you fully understand the terms you are agreeing to and are comfortable with them.
Understand what travel insurance does and does not cover. Many insurance providers are not offering cancel for any reason coverage, or coverage for travel plans that are canceled or interrupted due to the pandemic (ie. flights canceled or borders closed because of COVID).
6) Remain Informed
Follow the news coming from public health experts at the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The U.S. State Department provides advice for U.S. travelers, and also allows travelers to enroll in the S.T.E.P program to receive alerts based on your travel itinerary. I recommend that ALL travelers enroll in the S.T.E.P program, whether there is an ongoing pandemic or not. Just because it might be deemed safe for Americans to travel, you want to ensure that you are not a vector for COVID-19 and unknowingly bring it to an unaffected area. Speak with your physician for advice on ways to stay healthy and avoid becoming a vector for COVID-19. You can view a comprehensive list of country specific international travel restrictions and domestic (internal) restrictions on International SOS.
7) Remain Cautiously Optimistic
This will be over, eventually. In the meantime we can all do our part to stop the spread by staying home this spring.
A gap year consultant can help find and coordinate a variety of experiences that align with your goals and budget. We find opportunities that might not be specifically marketing themselves as a “gap year program”, but align with your interests and budget, and could make a great addition to your gap year. The expertise and flexibility that a consultant offers can help families save time and money. Plus, we serve as mentors to students to help them think critically and make meaning from their gap year experience. If you’d like advice or just need assistance deciding if a gap year is right for you, you can schedule a no-obligation brainstorming call here.
I feel hopeful and cautiously optimistic about the future. I am hopeful that when this is over, with lessons of empathy, resilience and interconnectedness, we can all move forward in our lives with greater compassion, grit, and a stronger sense of community.
Susan Staley