9 Gap Year Ideas for High School Seniors COVID-19 Series
The Princeton Review
Hello, my friends.
I’m Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review.
We recently published a video about deciding whether to take a gap year before college.
Today we are following up with another video sharing 9 ideas for how to spend your gap
year if you do decide that it’s the best decision for you!
I should say upfront that all of these suggestions are areas for you to explore; they’re not
meant as endorsements.
Our goal today is to share a range of exciting gap year ideas that are available for your
consideration.
So let’s jump right in.
The first up is volunteering or working with a nonprofit organization in your community.
During these challenging times, many local charities and nonprofits are facing staffing
shortages.
You can serve your community by lending a hand!
Organizations like Meals on Wheels and The Humane Society can be found in most cities
and are in need of assistance!
Volunteering, whether in-person or virtually, at shelters, nursing homes, food pantries,
or educational organizations is an excellent way to be productive and make a difference
in your community.
If you’re looking to get away from home (but you’re not quite ready to go overseas)
consider volunteering with a national organization like AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps members can spend three months to a year serving on projects focused on economic
development, education, health and nutrition, and more.
The organization also provides room, board, and a stipend that can go toward your college
education.
Certain colleges and universities will match that stipend, so reach out to your school
to find out what’s available
For those of you who’d been hoping to go abroad, but are now understandably apprehensive,
you can still work with international organizations.
For instance, Habitat for Humanity is known for its global service, but also operates
in all 50 states.
Even if international travel is off the table for you, there are still volunteer opportunities
such as tutoring, homebuilding, conservation, and youth mentorship that will allow you to
gain valuable experience and connect you with a global network.
Learning a foreign language is another useful way to spend your gap year.
Becoming bilingual, (or trilingual!) early in life can increase the professional opportunities
that are available to you during and after college.
There are many great learning tools you can use if you decide to embark on language studies.
Completing a virtual internship is another great way to enhance your resume and gain
connections before college.
CET Academic Programs is offering global virtual internships through their Gap at CET program,
which allows students to intern with organizations in Czech Republic, Greater China, and Jordan.
They’ll match your background and academic interests with an organization where you’ll
gain practical, hands-on experience.
There’s also a classroom component to supplement your on-the-job learning.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that traveling abroad is STILL an option!
While some international gap year programs are currently suspended, others like National
Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), ARCC, and the Irish Gap Year are enrolling students.
But of course, be cautious!
We strongly advise you to speak to each program about their COVID policies and procedures,
in addition to their refund policies (just in case plans change)!
While these programs are committed to offering a safe and meaningful year for students, keep
in mind that even with the best safety precautions, they cannot completely eliminate associated
risks.
We also encourage you to explore official gap year programs through your college.
Many colleges such as Tufts University, Princeton University, and UNC—Chapel Hill have official
gap year programs.
Some schools like American University are even offering virtual gap year programs, such
as an internship at a dynamic DC institution or seminars for students interested in public
policy and international affairs.
Whether or not your college offers a gap year program, you might consider taking an online
class to learn a new skill or to get a college credit (or two) out of the way!
One positive thing to come out of the pandemic is the rise in online courses at higher education
institutions.
Lastly, folks, your gap year is an opportunity to think outside the box!
Do you have an interesting project or a neat business idea that you wished you had more
time to explore?
Well, now’s the time to do it!
We encourage you to plan a rewarding gap year based on your unique interests and goals.
If you’re thinking of taking a gap year, leave us a comment and share your plans, And
of course, subscribe to our channel for the latest updates about exams, admissions, study
tips, and much more.
See you here the next time!