To illustrate how goals and interests can be combined for a dynamic gap year before heading off to college or university, here’s an example:

June-Aug:

Initial discovery session to set goals and dreams; work at home to save money for the year/ upgrade courses; take a weekend scuba certification course

Sept-Dec:

Photography course in your city; volunteer program saving sea turtles in Costa Rica; learn Spanish in Spain or take a course at home; check in through coaching sessions

Dec-Jan:

Home for holidays, university/college re-applications if need be; reflect on experiences through coaching session

Jan-May:

Internship at local animal shelter ; volunteer conservation project / adventure experience in Ecuador ; check in coaching emails while away; take a life skills workshop with mygapyear

June-Aug:

Work at home or overseas to save money; attend a local program like yoga, take guitar lessons; wilderness leadership experience; coaching follow up

Sept:

Debrief and final “capture the learning” session; prepare for college or university or workforce

 

mygapyear staff will coach clients through these possible choices and organize
a plan that meets their goals and budget

Some other examples of what a mygapyear could look like:

Love music?

• Summer school orchestra at Harvard
• Teach music locally
• Design and construct your own guitar
• Volunteer with underprivileged children abroad
• Internship – media experience with music magazine in India

Love sports?

• Get a Lifeguarding certificate ( Bronze Cross)
• Work as a lifeguard to earn some cash for trips
• Coach soccer in Costa Rica
• Sports interests – Quebec snowboard instructor training
• Wilderness leadership training program
• Katimavik – 6 months Community project in Quebec

Not ready to leave home?

• Learn – upgrade grade 12 math / English credit in Toronto
• Multi-element wilderness discovery program in Eastern Canada
• Pre-university course – prep courses, study skills
• Pottery classes at ceramic museum in Toronto
• Life skills weekend seminar
• Volunteer and assist as a restorer at a mansion in England / Canada

Feeling burnt out?

• Marine biology course in BC plus scuba certification
• Work/volunteer at a vets office or local animal shelter
• Something fun to help the burnout – Cooking classes/Yoga
• Volunteer and research at the Sea turtle abroad
• Adventure tours – for example: sea kayaking, sky diving,
white water rafting, heli-biking, bungee jumping