Gap Year Abroad – Page 4

How to Make the Most of Your Gap Year Adventure

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to go after one of the best educational opportunities around today – the Gap Year. Gap Years, especially between high school and university, have been increasing in popularity across the globe for a very good reason – they give you the chance to get a better sense of who you are and what you want to do before completing your formal education. As a matter of fact, many of the world’s top universities are promoting Gap Years as an important piece of a young adult’s educational experience, and some are even offering scholarships!

Stepping out of the traditional classroom environment to expand your global knowledge, broaden your perspective, reflect on your personal values and goals, and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, is critical for success in today’s 21^st century world. Gap Year programs create an experiential environment for you to test yourself and improve skills in the areas of interpersonal communications, adaptability, empathy, understanding the needs of others, world affairs, and more. The list goes on and on because the opportunities are limitless!

To get the most out of your Gap Year journey, it’s important to be deliberate about what you want to achieve and prepare in advance. Here are some of the top ways to take it all in!

DON’T JUST GO ON VACATION

While you may be visiting some exotic places, and you certainly want to drink in all the cultural experiences you can, remember you are there to learn and grow. Take advantage of the area attractions, historical sites, and local people to learn about the culture, this history, and the significance of the region. This will help you learn to build empathy and be flexible in understanding the needs of others, a top skill that employers seek worldwide.

KEEP AN OPEN MIND

You will be exposed to many things that are foreign to you, whether its food, language, or cultural traditions. Don’t rule out any chance to experience new things, even if they intimidate you at first. Try food you’d never order off a menu at home, learn new phrases in the language of every country you visit, attend a class that teaches a local art form, or go off the beaten track to see more than the traditional tourist sites. Most people you meet are excited to share their customs with others and they will help you adapt.

ENGAGE FULLY

Be present where you are. One of the downfalls of today’s social media environment is that it is overly easy to stay connected to your world back home. We take less note of our own reality when we are constantly monitoring someone else’s. Make a commitment to go “device-free” for a certain amount of time every day (with the exception of your camera, of course) so that you are able to drink in all that is happening around you in the moment.

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

You never know when you’ll meet someone that could be an important contact in the future. Be diligent about meeting people from all walks of life, and take down their contact information. Learn about their lives, their jobs, and how they got there. Better yet, if you develop strong relationships with people in important positions, you may walk away from your Gap Year with some pretty awesome (and unique) references!

GIVE MEANINGFULLY

Most Gap Year programs include some level of service learning. This is your chance to get down and dirty, and learn how to understand the varying needs of different cultures, peoples and regions. Take the time to get to know the root cause of the issue you are addressing and how your service can make a difference now and well into the future. Embrace the people you are helping, appreciate your ability to give, and give fully.

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Take time to stop and make note of the things you are learning throughout your gap year. Record specific instances where you effectively stepped up as a leader to make a difference, the number of hours of service you donated, or how your actions positively changed the lives of others. This data will be helpful for college applications or for your resume. This is how you will clearly set yourself apart in the world!

NEVER STOP LEARNING

Your Gap Year is a great launching point for becoming a life-long learner. Hopefully your experience will open your eyes as to how the ongoing, voluntary and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge will enrich your life exponentially. You will discover how to continually learn from the world, whether you are abroad or at home. Ultimately, this is the key to living life to the fullest.

What Makes Up with People Different from Other Gap Year Programs?

Every day is full during an Up with People tour — full of travel, volunteer activities, and cultural experiences. It is an opportunity unlike any other. Twice per year, each fall and spring, young adults age 17-29 from a variety of backgrounds have the opportunity to travel the globe with our organization, bring positive change to the world and encourage others to do the same.

But what makes Up with People unique? Let’s explore and breakdown how service, culture, and performance are just a glimpse of what makes Up with People different from other gap year programs.

LAYERING OF CULTURES
Cast members fully immerse themselves in the culture of the people they are visiting throughout their tour. “You build your cultural competency,” says Ellen Enebo, curriculum manager, and former cast member. “It’s an important life skill to have.” The longer a cast is in one country, the more diverse and deeper their understanding is of the various cultures within that area. For example, the cast tours Mexico for several weeks, typically staying with a different family each week. “The experience is unmatched,” she says.

Learn More About the Recent Cast’s Time in Mexico →
Not only are our cast members exposed to the cultures of places they visit along the tour — typically, at least three countries in two regions of the world — but they are also exposed to different cultures within the group. Any given year there are approximately 20 countries represented within our cast. As they travel and live together, they learn more about one another and the culture they come from. Over the 19-week tour, cast members form a tight bond with each other. “It’s the richest and most long-lasting kind of friendship,” Ellen says.

HOST FAMILIES AND THE HOST CODE
To enhance the gap year experience, Up with People’s cast members stay with host families at each destination on the tour. While at their host family’s house, members experience discussions in the native language and indulge in authentic food. When possible, our staff can even pair a cast member interested in a certain professional career with someone who works in that industry.

Up with People also has a unique way of pairing cast members to their host families. It’s called the Host Code. Each host family is given a name, word, or phrase that correlates to the overall theme of the visit. A theme can be based on what the city or state is famous for, or something fun that is chosen at random. Host families can then get creative with their assignment, making artistic signs or dressing in costume. When the cast arrives, they are given the same name, word, or phrase, which helps them find their host family. “It’s a fun icebreaker to meet your family,” Ellen says.

PERFORMING MUSIC THAT MATTERS
A gap year program that incorporates performing arts the way we do is rare. “It’s not just the performing arts element, it’s the art with the message,” says Ellen. “Music reaches people in a way that words by themselves don’t.”

We don’t require previous music experience but rest assured, every member of our cast will be on stage performing if they travel with us. Cast members will also have the opportunity to potentially work in other areas of the production, like lighting and staging. “It’s built in a way that you get to be successful on stage,” Ellen says. Individuals who have experience and excel at learning the music and choreography can earn a solo or be part of the front dance line.

We also cater our show to the country we’re in. At each stop along the tour, we perform a song or medley specific to that country. “It shows we care and are interested in the places we visit,” she says. The main language of the show also changes depending on the country we’re in. For example, in Germany, we will have a German-speaking cast member emcee the show.

At Up with People, we offer an opportunity unlike any other with the hope that each member who tours with us becomes an advocate for positive change.

Culture Shock: 9 Tips for Immersing Yourself in a New Culture

If you had a chance to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Mexico… Germany…the United States… South Africa? Traveling anywhere is fun, but for many of us, the farther away the better. Unfamiliar locations mean exciting experiences, and a chance to push our boundaries.

Why do you think people love overseas gap year and study abroad programs? They have so many ways to help you experience new things: new countries, new cultures, new foods, new…well, just about everything. You will most likely have a few awkward moments and uncomfortable experiences along the way, because that’s a part of immersing yourself in a new culture. In fact, if you don’t experience a little bit of culture shock, you might be getting far enough out of your comfort zone.

Fortunately, Up with People knows a lot about culture shock. We’ve been sending casts out on worldwide tours for over 50 years, so we’ve put together some helpful tips for how to handle those awkward moments and turn your “shock” into an unforgettable learning experience.

WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK?

The dictionary defines culture shock as, “a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation.” Culture shock happens when you travel to a place that is foreign to you, and you experience uncomfortable feelings, when the culture, social norms, way of life or set of attitudes are different than those of your own. Culture shock is a completely normal piece of world travel.

People experience and deal with culture shock differently — just like how everyone looks through life through their own lens. Some may experience slight culture shock, while others might feel like they are entering another universe. But don’t let that discourage or scare you, you will adjust to the new culture with time. Letting yourself experience culture shock as it unfolds, and learning from it, will help you in your future trips.

9 TIPS TO TAKE THE “SHOCK” OUT OF CULTURE SHOCK

Learn as much as you can about your host country. Before you pack your bags and jet set, know the foundation for your experience. Look up the language, the norms, the culture and the people, then you will see what you’re getting yourself into.

Practice getting outside of your comfort zone before you ever leave home. Try new foods, visit the related areas of your town, and start to explore the culture any way you can.

Set learning goals. For example, pledge to try something new – like a local food – each week. If that means eating something more exotic than you’re used to at home, remember that you’re here to push your limits.
Make new friends from the area — which should be a priority, anyway. They can be your “ambassadors,” helping you become more familiar with the subtleties of the culture, like the right way and wrong way to greet people. They can also recommend places to go — or even take you to the area’s hot spots, restaurants, and hidden gems.
Be a tourist! Don’t be afraid to go to that cheesy attraction or eat your sixth crepe of the day in France. You shouldn’t be ashamed of the locals knowing you’re a non-native.
Find someone from your own culture (or a similar one) and become friends! It’s much easier to go through a new experience with someone else who understands what you’re going through. That’s one of the benefits of traveling in a group program like Up with People!

Keep a journal and write down your thoughts and feelings. What do you like or not like? Why are you feeling the way you are feeling? Remember to talk to your fellow travelers about how you’re feeling, because they might be experiencing the same thing!

Do something familiar to get over any “speed bumps.” Bring something that reminds you of home, whether it’s eating your favorite treat, listening to your favorite music or asking for packages from home. It’s healthy to stay in touch with your roots.

Most importantly, remember to have fun! You are in a foreign country with endless opportunities. Make the most of it. YOLO — you only live once!

Exploring new cuisine, ziplining over a rainforest, learning a foreign language, and hiking up a mountain are only a few of the hundreds of opportunities for adventure while abroad. The experience, while challenging at times, is something that one can only go through first-hand.

While culture shock may be unfamiliar to you at first, it will become a thing of the past — one of the many memories on your trip of a lifetime.

The Life-Changing Benefits of Spending a Gap Year Abroad

“I was fresh out of college and floundering to find a job that I felt passionate about,” said Up with People alumni Dave Stockwell on his motivations for taking a gap year. “My world seemed small and I knew there was so much more to see and learn.”

Like Dave, there will be many times throughout your life where you need to make a decision today about what’s best for you tomorrow. It can be scary and at the same time, exhilarating! If we were all armed with a crystal ball, we’d nail it every time! Unfortunately, that’s not the case. So we’re challenged to determine our own answers to life’s many questions. Questions such as: Should I continue my education? Where should I start my career? Is this career path right for me? When do I want to get married or start a family?

These answers come easy for some, while for others, a firm plan isn’t in place quite yet. For those individuals, a gap year – a year that is taken off between life stages – is becoming a much more common choice that makes a lot of sense. And it’s easy to see why!

Although individuals are asking themselves different questions and confronting unique situations, the goals of taking a gap year are often times the same — to discover yourself and what you are passionate about during this pivotal time in your life. What’s not always clear is the multitude of long-term life benefits a gap year provides!

EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT CULTURE

“After my year abroad, I came back a more educated and accepting person,” said alumna Cindy Swanson Cohen. “I have more respect for people different from myself and an appreciation for different cultures, and how people live. It definitely changed my small town thinking.”

Committing to a gap year means leaving your hometown behind for a few months, a semester or even up to a year for the opportunity to learn about and immerse yourself in different cultures. You will not only meet people with different traditions and customs from your own, but will also gain a global perspective. Find out what motivates other cultures. Take the opportunity to learn about their history, food, and government.

“I had never traveled much and was very interested in people and other parts of the world,” said Lynne Lentz. “I had no idea how much I would learn and encounter in that year. I could not really describe all of the emotions I experienced, but it molded me into the person I am today. I have learned diversity and tolerance and brought that into my adult life.”

DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS

As defined by Simon Sinek, “The art of leadership is about inspiring people to build something, not threatening to break something.” Being a leader is more than guiding others, it’s about bringing out the best in your team and community.

Leadership skills are so important because they can easily translate to almost every facet of your life. When studying abroad in a gap year program, you will have the chance to step up to the plate and lead your peers. It is a perfect time to challenge yourself, to take on more responsibility, and work with a diverse group of people who may not understand your language and culture well. This allows you to step out of your comfort zone, try something new and have a ton of fun in the process! You may even find that learning these important leadership skills will give your life a new sense of direction and purpose.

“I learned [through my time with UWP] that I could accomplish many things that I would not have thought before and those experiences have given me confidence to use many times later in life.” Said Karina Læssøe.

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT

Traveling abroad and encountering a culture that’s completely different than what you’ve seen before can open doors to new interests and passions. The moments away in a fresh, new place can give you a chance to clear your mind and discover what is important in your life. “I traveled with Up with People right after college because I didn’t really know what to do with a degree that I loved,” said Jessica Gonzalez Uhlig. “UWP introduced me to the student recruitment and admission world. That has become a 15 year career.”

Through interactions with other cultures, you gain a new perspective that can bring clarity to what you want to focus on when you trip is over. “Upon my return, I knew exactly what I was destined to do with my life,” said Crystal Sanderson.

“Thanks to those amazing experiences abroad, I found my vocation in creating cross-cultural understanding,” said Charlotta Öberg. “Up with People gave me the important start and the confidence.”

LEARN USEFUL CAREER SKILLS

Hands on work in a foreign country can benefit you personally and provide a boost to your resume and to your career. Whether through community service, internships or performance, you will have no choice but to learn and gain valuable skills that will help you throughout your life and career. Most importantly,you will develop communication skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals from every background. Now that’s a career strenght worth developing!

“My year abroad brought clarity and purpose to my life in a professional sense. A criminal justice career day and a prison tour fascinated me and when I returned home and to school, I selected a Criminal Justice Administration as my major” said alumnus Kelly Brown who has just retired from a 27-year career in the criminal justice field.

HAVE FUN AND MAKE LASTING FRIENDS

“What I took away most from my gap year was meeting and truly connecting with people that one moment ago were strangers,” said Suzanne Dahlerus. This might be the best part about the gap year! People and memories are what make life enjoyable. You will work and play with individuals from all over the world who will teach you life skills, while they learn from you too. Ski the slopes of Austria, explore the rainforests of South America, and run with the bulls in Spain…all incredible moments experienced with a new group of friends.

“We’re still close after 40 years, and knowing they’re out there means a whole lot to me,” said Rita de Wilde.

This is just the tip of the iceberg! There are so many more experiences and benefits to be acquired when taking a gap year abroad. Who knows, it might just be the smartest decision you ever make.

Learn more about the Up with People Program

What Do These Successful People Have In Common?

Over the last decade, gap year options for high school graduates and college students have changed the course of how young adults approach their higher education. Many colleges, including ivy league universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale actually encourage newly enrolled students to take a year off before college to travel or volunteer.

Don’t just take it from us. Take it from a group of our successful alumni who ventured out into the world traveling in Up with People before continuing their college education.

What do the following successful people have in common? They all traveled in Up with People!

Betsy Myers, Director of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University

Betsy rose in her career to become Senior White House adviser for women’s issues during President Clinton’s second term in office. Next she was the Executive Director of the Executive MBA program at Harvard. She then was recruited by then presidential candidate Barack Obama to become the Chief Operating Officer of Obama 2018. Today she is the Director of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University. Widely sought for speaking engagements, her book, Taking the Lead was considered by the Washington Post as one of the best business books of 2011.

Betsy Myers an Up with People alumna — Betsy Myers with Former President, Barack Obama as his Chief Operating Officer during his term. Photo Credit: Betsy Myers

Frank Gatson Jr., Choreographer & Director

Frank is a choreographer and director who is perhaps best known as Beyoncé’s choreographer. He took a gap year with Up with People after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980 and appeared in several of Up with People’s Super Bowl halftime performances. He has choreographed for many other projects including his work with Salt ‘N’ Pepa, Usher, and Destiny’s Child along with his work in major motion pictures such as Leave it on the Floor and Fanney Khan.

Frank Gatson Jr, Beyonce's choreographer and Creative Director — Choreographer Frank Gatson Jr. teaching a routine to dancers who auditioned in January for Beyoncé’s 2007 tour. Photo Credit: Andrea Mohin/The New York Times

Anya Adams, Producer & Director

Anya Adams is a producer, director writer, and cinematographer. She is known for her work on popular TV shows like Blackish and The Mindy Project. Anya traveled with Up with People after high school where she focused on theater and performing arts. She worked for Up with People for seven years after traveling before she began working in the film industry. After 15 years in the industry, she prides herself in the idea of portraying different world views into her productions. Some of her other notable works include Scrubs, Fresh Off The Boat, and Speechless.

Anya Adams Up with People Alumna — Anya Adams, Director & Producer. Photo Credit: Zimbio

Tom Costello, Journalist & NBC News Correspondent

Tom Costello is a Chief Correspondent for NBC News and appears regularly on NBC Nightly News and the Today Show. He covers transportation, NASA, regulatory and consumer related issues. Tom did an interview with NBC News to talk about his gap year experience in Up with People. The experience gave him incredible insight towards his career once he had returned to the University of Colorado Boulder. “I grew up and changed profoundly while I was on the road in Up with People,” said Tom Costello in his gap year interview with NBC News. “If it weren’t for that gap year and traveling in Up with People, I would not be where I am today. I certainly would not be in network news and certainly wouldn’t be married to the wonderful lady I am now.”

Tom Costello from NBC News talks about his gap year in Up with People — Tom Costello, Journalist and NBC News Corespondent. Photo Credit: NBC News

John Loudon, CEO of COmON Foundation

John Loudon continued his work in the nonprofit world after traveling in Up with People during his gap year. He is the CEO of COmON Foundation, an organization that counsels and trains companies in social responsibility. John is also an International Board Member for Peace Parks Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Nelson Mandela based in South Africa. As a professional director of various nature conservation and land use initiatives, his goal is to raise funds and be a creative strategist to help these organizations thrive in making a difference around the world.

John Loudon, board member for the Peace Parks Foundation — John Loudon, CEO of the COmON Foundation. Photo Credit: COmON

Want to learn more about developing leadership skills, experiential education, and traveling to make a difference in the world?

Start your journey in Up with People today!

“The whole world is changing around you and me.
There’s so much to learn, there’s so much left to see.
If we could change faces, trade places, what would I see?“

Through Your Eyes © Up with People

How To Run A Successful Online Fundraiser

Since 1965 over 22,000 young people have circled the globe with Up with People. As a non-profit and as a program that helps hundreds of our participants fundraise each year we understand a thing or two about fundraising. Whether you are raising funds for a good cause or to travel the world, crowdfunding online can be both necessary and challenging. Crowdfunding is defined as, “the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet.” Where does one begin? In this post we explore the many options available online to help you choose the best approach for your fundraising goals.

Top Crowdfunding Platform Comparison Guide

GoFundMe.com – GoFundMe operates under the “keep what you raise” fundraising model and is the best for individuals looking to raise funds for whatever reason as their name implies. You don’t lose out on donations if you don’t reach your goal. They offer unlimited duration or custom deadlines for your campaigns and are a popular choice for young creatives and travelers. Cost – 2.9% of total raised plus $0.30 gift processing fee per donation.

KickStarter.com – With KickStarter you must either meet or exceed your goal or you keep nothing and all donations are returned to donors. This platform is best for starting a new organization or business. Campaign duration can last from 1 – 60 days. Kickstarter is the most competitive of all platforms therefore it can be harder to stand out. Cost – If goal is met, 5% of money raised goes to Kickstarter, plus 3-5% to Amazon Payments to cover gift processing.

IndieGoGo.com – Popular with the creative crowd, this platform is shared with as many as 10,000 causes at one time, leaving the site cluttered with campaigns for donors to sort through. Competition here is high. IndieGoGo operates under both the “keep what you raise” and “all or nothing” model. Campaign duration can last from 1 – 120 days. Cost – 8% platform and gift processing fee plus $0.30 transaction fee per gift.

YouCaring.com – When individuals, groups, or communities need to raise funds in the face of hardship, YouCaring can be a great option. Unlike most online crowdfunding sites, YouCaring doesn’t charge a platform fee off what you have raised. They also have a tuition pre-built page which people can use for college, gap year program or study abroad semester fundraising.

Classy.org – Classy is tailored to large nonprofit organizations and social enterprises. It is not a good fit for individuals and small fundraising campaigns. Cost – $499 per month making it one of the more expensive options out there.

Donate Direct To Individuals – With the rise of services and apps like VenMo and Zelle, supporting an individual directly has never been easier. Hefty service fees from major crowdfunding sites can really cut into all of the hard work and needed funds. A common misconception is that simply having a presence on major crowdfunding sites will give your cause exposure thus finding brand new donors. How many people do you know go to crowdfunding sites to donate to random projects? The truth is that the people who make donations will be in your circle of contacts. This is why often times it is better to create a simple web page using a free site builder like WordPress to explain your story and why you need funds. Many people simply start a Facebook page for this purpose. Then people can donate to your cause directly helping you avoid costly service fees. Many participants fundraising to travel with Up with People simply have supporters make payments directly to their program fee on Up with People’s website, thus avoiding 3rd party service fees as well.

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Steps to Run a Successful Online Fundraiser

No matter how you decide to raise money online there are some best practices that you should follow. These best practices will give you the best chance to raise the much needed funds for your cause.

1.) Tell A Great Story – Why should someone donate? Empathy is a powerful tool and on your project page you must quickly explain why you need donations. What does that money actually do? Videos are a powerful tool and we recommend always using a video on any online fundraising page. The video doesn’t have to be perfect or professionally produced with lots of bells and whistles, it just has to tell your story. Keep it under 2 minutes if you can and get to the point quickly.

2.) Show Progress – One great thing about the major crowdfunding platforms and perhaps why they are so popular is that they clearly show how much you have raised and the goal. You must set a goal and show it to the world. This helps supporters see your progress and makes them more likely to give a little bit more if they can see how much it will help in the big picture. People naturally want to help you reach that goal.

3.) Social Media Is Required – As we mentioned before, most of your donors will come from your inner circle and there is no better way to reach them quickly than with social media. Once you have decided on a platform, blast out your page to everyone you know and ask supporters to share it with their own networks. It is also best practice to ask people to share your page after they have donated.

4.) A Thank You Gift – Offering something as a thank you doesn’t have to cost you a thing but it can be a powerful tool in raising funds. If you are raising funds for study abroad, could you promise your donors a digital recipe book from dishes you loved while living with your host family abroad? Could you simply promise a postcard from abroad? Coming up with creative ways to thank your supporters can be a great way to boost funds.

5.) Donate Now Button – You would be surprised how often we see this forgotten on participant run online fundraising campaigns. It seems obvious but if there is no “Donate Now” button on whatever page you send your supporters, you are making it difficult and confusing for people and potentially losing money.

6.) Set A Deadline – Nothing kills donations more than when your supporters say to themselves, “Oh I’ll do that tomorrow.” Set a deadline for donations and remind people of this deadline in your social media posts and on your fundraising page.

In the end you want to make the process for your supporters as easy as possible. Online fundraising can be a powerful tool in your quest to raise funds and using at least some of these best practices will help ensure your campaign pays off.

How A Gap Year Can Prepare You For University

Up with People gap year students meeting their host families More and more young people around the world are choosing to take a gap year before entering university and for good reason. Top universities like Harvard now even encourage newly admitted students to take time off by deferment.

“…defer enrollment for one one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way … Perhaps the best way of all to get the full benefit of a “time-off” is to postpone entrance to college for a year. For nearly 40 years, Harvard has recommended this option, indeed proposing it in a letter of admission. Normally a total of about 80 to 110 students defer college until the next year. The results have been uniformly positive.”

Why would Harvard recommend a gap year? Because taking this time to learn more about yourself and your goals can better prepare you for university. Let’s explore how and why.

HOW A GAP YEAR BEFORE UNIVERSITY WORKS

Many students first apply to their top university choices and once they are accepted inquire with their admissions counselor about gap year policies. The student then asks for a ‘deferral’. More and more universities are adopting a formal policy around deferrals as they’re seeing more students ask for them. Still others don’t yet know where or if they would like to attend university, choosing to apply during the middle of their gap year. It’s a common myth that students taking a gap year are less likely to attend university afterwards. In fact gap year data shows that 90 percent of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IMPROVES

In the book Gap Year: How Delaying College Changes People in Ways the World Needs author Joe O’Shea states:

“Some studies have found that taking a gap year had a significant positive impact on students’ academic performance in college, with the strongest impact for students who had applied to college with grades on the lower end of the distribution (Birch and Miller 2007; Crawford and Cribb 2012). In fact, in the United Kingdom and in the United States, students who had taken a Gap Year were more likely to graduate with higher grade point averages than observationally identical individuals who went straight to college, and this effect was seen even for gap year students with lower academic achievement in high school (Crawford and Cribb 2012, Clagett 2013).”

SELF-DISCOVERY

An estimated 20 to 50 percent of students enter college undecided in their course of study, and an estimated 75 percent of students change their major at least once before graduation. It’s no wonder rushing into university might not be the best idea for everyone. According to a survey by the American Gap Association the #1 reported outcome of a gap year student was that it helped them develop as a person and allowed time for personal reflection. Entering university with more awareness of what one wants to do or study is incredibly beneficial and can actually help a student graduate on time without having to change majors.

MATURITY

Gap year students are both perceived to be and self report being more mature, more self-reliant and independent than non-gap year students. Maturity is a big part of success in university and shows up in the students employability after school.

A GAP YEAR CAN COMBAT BURNOUT

For many students, high school is simply a race to get into college, and by the end, they are just too burned out to do well once they get there. A gap year is a chance to push the reset button before plunging back into academia. One of the reasons Harvard recommends a gap year is to combat burnout in their highly motivated student body stating:

“Faced with the fast pace of growing up today, some students are clearly distressed, engaging in binge drinking and other self-destructive behaviors. Counseling services of secondary schools and colleges have expanded in response to greatly increased demand. It is common to encounter even the most successful students, who have won all the “prizes,” stepping back and wondering if it was all worth it. Professionals in their thirties and forties – physicians, lawyers, academics, business people and others – sometimes give the impression that they are dazed survivors of some bewildering life-long boot-camp … What can be done to help? Fortunately this young fast-track generation itself offers ideas that can reduce stress and prevent burnout. In college application essays and interviews, in conversations and counseling sessions with current college students, and in discussions with alumni/ae, many current students perceive the value of taking time out.”

CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING AND COMPETENCE

Many gap year programs or plans involve extensive travel. Travel teaches cross-cultural competence. In fact, Up with People, a gap year program that has been sending participants around the world for over 50 years, cultivates this type of cross-cultural learning in their education curriculum. In our globalized world today cross-cultural competence helps young people succeed not only in university but in their careers. In fact 90% of gap year participants report that their gap year helped them learn to interact with people that come from backgrounds different than their own.

Unique Gift Ideas For Aspiring Young Travelers

The United Nations estimates that 20 percent of all international travelers, over 200 million people, are under the age of 30. Travel is the new most wanted gift under the tree. With millions of high school and college grads considering a gap year and over 300,000 American students planning to study abroad next year, it’s easy to see why anything related to travel will turn you into a gift-giving champion. As this new wave of young people prepares for a much-anticipated adventure abroad and gift-giving season in full swing, consider the following list for that travel aspiring person on your list. Whether that gift is a thing, or an experience, the following list has something for every adventurous young traveler.

INTERNATIONAL POWER ADAPTOR
The ideal power adaptor is universal. Many travelers will visit multiple countries and will need multiple adaptors to keep their phones, cameras and laptops charged as they explore. The new wave of universal power adaptors can adjust to most plugs around the world. Simply search ‘universal power adaptor’ on your favorite online retail site.

EARPLUGS
Many young travelers save money by staying in hostel rooms (or even staying with host families) that hold multiple sleepy people. Almost always at least one of those people will snore. The difference between a good night’s sleep and extreme irritation can be an inexpensive stocking stuffer like earplugs!

PORTABLE CHARGER
These small and lightweight chargers can be a life saver on long-haul bus rides or camping trips abroad. They work by allowing you to charge devices via usb ports anywhere. When stranded in a strange place and your phone flashes 1% battery remaining this can be the ultimate lifesaver.

JOURNAL
Writing can be an important and sentimental gift that will allow the intrepid traveler to process the incredible experiences they will discover on the road. Among items that poll the highest with experienced travelers as most valuable years after a trip are journals. When culture shock hits sometimes a journal can be that emotional processing tool that keeps a person on the positive track of personal growth.

GAP YEAR OR SEMESTER EXPERIENCE ABROAD
Think about it. Is there any other gift that has the power to change your loved ones life more profoundly than a long-term trip abroad? One of the longest running and most respected gap year and semester abroad programs in the world is Up with People. This is a gift that offers improved academic performance, accelerated maturity and a new perspective. Learn more about program options (including academic credit) here.

MICROFIBER TOWEL
Lightweight, quick drying and easy to pack, microfiber towels are essential especially when the traveler plans to stay in hostels or camp. These towels are easy to find in camping stores and are very inexpensive. When every ounce counts while packing, ditch bulky towels for a microfiber option.

PASSPORT HOLDER (+ PASSPORT!)
This may seem obvious but think of the power of this gift to change a life. Pauline Frommer summed it up best when she said, “You can’t have a narrow mind and a thick passport.” For passport holders we like the unique options found on sites like Etsy.

FACIAL CLEANSING TOWELETTES
For those of us unable to afford first class airline tickets complete with showers and slippers, facial cleansing towelettes offer a way to clean that travel grime from your face after hours of international transport. This stocking stuffer allows your young traveler to freshen up before getting off the airplane and meeting up with say, a new host family abroad!

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