One of the biggest myths about gap years? That they’re only for certain types of students. In this episode, host Julia Rogers breaks down this misconception and explores how gap time can benefit students from all backgrounds and academic paths. From high achievers on the brink of burnout to hands-on learners seeking real-world experience, Julia shares key student profiles that thrive on a gap year, offering insight into why intentional time off can lead to greater success -whether that’s in college, career training, or another post-secondary pathway. If you’ve ever wondered who actually takes a gap year and why, this episode will challenge conventional wisdom's outdated assumptions about life after high school. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: -Why the traditional “straight to college” model doesn’t work for everyone. -Six key student profiles that thrive on a gap year. -How a gap year can make the transition to college easier, not harder. -Why students who take gap time feel more confident and intentional about their next steps. Resources and Links Mentioned: EnRoute Consulting – Learn more about working with Julia as a gap year counselor (enroutegapyear.com). Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio wherever you find your favorite pods 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email us your gap year questions: gapyearradio@gmail.com

In this episode of Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers chats with Abby, a gap year alum and current aerospace engineering student, and her mom, Elena, about Abby’s incredible year of exploration and growth. From volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand to road-tripping through 10 National Parks, Abby’s experiences shaped her confidence, independence, and readiness for college and beyond. Elena shares her perspective as a supportive parent, offering tips on researching programs, addressing common concerns, and empowering independence. Together, they discuss scaffolding gap year experiences, overcoming challenges, and why a gap year is valuable for all students, including high-achievers who know what's next. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🌍 How Abby’s gap year journey unfolded across Thailand, East Africa, and the U.S. 🌍 Why structured programs like Pacific Discovery and ARCC helped build her confidence for independent travel. 🌍 Elena’s advice for parents: how to research gap year programs and support independence. 🌍 How Abby’s gap year shaped her mindset for college and prepared her for a career in aerospace engineering. 🌍The value of “being bad” at something—and how it fosters resilience and growth. Resources and Links Mentioned Pacific Discovery: Explore immersive adventure and service programs around the world. ARCC Programs: Offering gap year and teen travel programs focused on global education and service. Gap Year Association: Resources for planning a gap year, including fairs, program directories, and alumni support. Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 🌍 Email your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com ✍️If you have a moment, please leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio! 🎶Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

Today on the pod we have Dave Dennis joining us from Cornerstone Safety Group. Dave is co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Safety Group, a risk management services company supporting travel and experiential education organizations. With a master’s degree in risk management and 27 years of experience in domestic and international operations, Dave has been the Vice President of Risk Management at some of the industry’s largest companies, responded to thousands of incidents, and consulted for more than 60 organizations developing customized risk management systems.  This episode provides an overview of how to look at personal safety when it comes to a gap year experience. Whether you are considering going with a structured program provider for your gap time or venturing out on a more independent or self-designed experience, this episode will provide you with resources and food for thought as you go about assessing these potential experiences. Additionally, we discuss mental, physical, and emotional health when it comes to a gap year and how to plan ahead to ensure that you are taking care of yourself to the best of your ability during this time. Dave brings with him to the pod nearly three decades of experience working in the travel/experiential education realm and provides some invaluable resources and insights to the listeners! You can find Dave and the folks at Cornerstone Safety Group online at cornerstonesafetygroup.org and on LinkedIn as well as by email at info@cornerstonesafetygroup.org.

Today on the pod we have Dave Dennis joining us from Cornerstone Safety Group. Dave is co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Safety Group, a risk management services company supporting travel and experiential education organizations. With a master’s degree in risk management and 27 years of experience in domestic and international operations, Dave has been the Vice President of Risk Management at some of the industry’s largest companies, responded to thousands of incidents, and consulted for more than 60 organizations developing customized risk management systems.  This episode provides an overview of how to look at personal safety when it comes to a gap year experience. Whether you are considering going with a structured program provider for your gap time or venturing out on a more independent or self-designed experience, this episode will provide you with resources and food for thought as you go about assessing these potential experiences. Additionally, we discuss mental, physical, and emotional health when it comes to a gap year and how to plan ahead to ensure that you are taking care of yourself to the best of your ability during this time. Dave brings with him to the pod nearly three decades of experience working in the travel/experiential education realm and provides some invaluable resources and insights to the listeners! You can find Dave and the folks at Cornerstone Safety Group online at cornerstonesafetygroup.org and on LinkedIn as well as by email at info@cornerstonesafetygroup.org.

Happy Earth Month and Welcome to Season Eight of Gap Year Radio! As we navigate the era of climate change, it's become increasingly crucial for us to consider the impact of our travel on the environment. With this in mind, let's delve into the world of sustainable travel and explore why it matters now more than ever before. Our guests Daniel Ponce-Taylor and Arantxa López Martínez are both world travelers, program directors and sustainability experts. This is a great episode to jump start your sustainable gap year thinking! Find our full show notes will sustainable gap year tips at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can find Arantxa and Spanish gap year online at SpanishGapYear.com You can find Daniel online at ioi.ngo You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio! Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

We're back! Julia and Margo are feeling rejuvenated after their gap year from the pod and are excited to bring you new and exciting content this upcoming season. Tune in here for a preview of all the guests, themes, and ideas that you can look forward to this season, as well as a recap of all that your cohosts have been up to for the last year! Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

Today on the pod, your co-hosts Julia and Margo come together to get excited for Gap Year Exploration Month (which begins today)! We discuss the various opportunities this month to #explorethegapyear, and how you can remain engaged through this exciting month of opportunities. Additionally we delve into the somewhat daunting task of funding your gap year. We provide you with various ideas and tools to make your gap year dreams become a reality. Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

This episode features Sam Ballard, an alum of Dynamy Internship Year's class of 2021. Sam spent both his fall and spring semesters of his gap year with Dynamy, a domestic gap year program based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Sam was able to participate in two very different internship opportunities in Worcester during his year, with his fall semester being at an automotive shop and his spring semester being at a digital marketing agency. Sam shares with us the many insights gained from these two unique working opportunities, as well as more about the structure of the program at Dynamy and how that has not only helped to direct his studies in college this year but furthermore allowed him to develop many useful life skills that have proved incredibly helpful now at college!

Today on the pod we have Kevin Fagan joining us, a gap year alum who participated in Where There Be Dragons' Andes and Amazon semester for his fall term, and then spent the second half of his gap year solo backpacking through Europe. Kevin shares with us some highlights from his semester in South America with Dragons and some of his biggest takeaways from this experience, as well as how that semester helped launch him into more independent travels and adventures for his spring semester. Kevin is a recent graduate of Gonzaga University and is now working in sustainability consulting in the Spokane, Washington area, and as someone who is five years out from these experiences is able to share with us how his gap year continues to impact his passions and career path today. Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

In 2019, Luke participated in the Tufts 1+4 Bridge Year program with Amigos de las Américas in Cuenca, Ecuador. He lived with a host family and worked at Fundación Crea tu Espacio, a non-profit that aids migrants during their transitory periods. Some of his responsibilities included working at daycare centers for toddlers, organizing fundraisers, facilitating workshops, and assisting with a community-based project to build an auxiliary location for the Fundación. Luke also talks about how his gap year offered him the space to explore his sexual orientation and ethnic identity. tells us why his bridge year was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of his life. You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com And lastly you can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

Listen to our conversation with Jenae Edwards, who tells us all about how she filled an unexpected covid gap year with meaning. ⁠ ⁠ Jenae used her gap time to create art and delve deeper into my love of art, while picking up a new skill of skateboarding and learning a lot from the community on her island. She says her perspective of home has completely changed as a result of spending her gap time in the Bahamas...how you wonder? Well take a listen to find out! You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com And lastly you can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

Episode 702 brings you our conversation with Aliza Saunders, a 18/19 alum of Tinvu: Building Justice. Tivnu is a nine-month gap year program focused on social justice engagement. ⁠ ⁠ Participants create a community living together, discovering the Pacific Northwest, and exploring the bond between Jewish life and social justice while working with Portland’s cutting-edge grassroots organizations.⁠ You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

Welcome back to Gap Year Radio! After a 2024 hiatus, we’re thrilled to kick off Season 9 with a very special episode. Big changes are in the air, and we’re sharing all the updates, memories, and excitement for what’s ahead! ✨ Life Updates Margo tied the knot! Julia welcomed a golden retriever puppy to her family! ✨ Reliving Podcast Memories This episode is bittersweet as we celebrate Margo’s incredible contributions to Gap Year Radio. She’s stepping away from the mic to focus on new adventures, but not before reminiscing about her favorite podcast moments. ✨ Exciting Updates & What’s Next The USA Gap Year Fairs are happening NOW, and we’re talking all things gap year planning! Whether you’re exploring programs, looking for advice, or ready to take the leap, we’ve got you covered. Julia is taking the reins as your solo host, and we can’t wait to share what’s in store for Season 9. Expect inspiring stories, fresh perspectives, and a brand-new short-format series to answer all your FAQs! You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com And lastly you can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

We open our newest season with covid gapper Dan Schmidt who has a super interesting gap year story. As a creative, Dan expanded his professional skill set by spending a large chunk of his year as a videographer for the Adventures with Purpose YouTube channel. He helped bring the channel from 250,000 subscribers to over 1 million, all while traveling the country, learning to pilot drones and solving missing person cases through AWP efforts. Adventures With Purpose specializes in raising submerged vehicles out of bodies of water. AWP got started as an environmental operation but has since helped solve 10 Cold Cases, providing answers and closure for families seeking answers. They have also removed 100+ vehicles from lakes and rivers since 2019. You can find us here at Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com And lastly you can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

Today on the pod we are excited to have Ethan Knight, founding director of the Gap Year Association. Julia and Margo take some time to talk to Ethan about the history of the Gap Year Association (GYA), his personal path that brought him here, the meaning of life, climate based gap years, and the current state of the field after a challenging pandemic year.  You can find Ethan and his colleagues at the Gap Year Association online at https://www.gapyearassociation.org/ or on Instagram and Facebook @gapyearassociation.

Today on the pod we have Vanesia Dedmon joining us to share about her semester with Carpe Mundi in Spring of 2019 in Spain and Morocco. She shares with us some of her biggest takeaways from her time abroad, as well as a few highlight memories from homestays and trekking in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, to a week on foot on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, to name a few.

Maytal Agasi took a gap year because she wanted to break out of the classroom and have an adventure in the real world. And boy, did she! Maytal spent her gap year working on a sustainable farm in Israel with Eco-Israel, traveling and participating in service-learning projects in East Africa with Carpe Diem Education and working closer to home as well. Maytal tells us that her gap time away from formal education gave her an outlet for the first time in her life to learn effectively.  Through these experiences, her ambitions shifted completely. Originally aiming to major in art history, her time in Israel transformed her into a proud environmentalist and permaculturalist. Her experience in East Africa offered her a chance for a big adventure -  to travel in a new place while learning about the culture through ethical service projects and homestays.  Maytal took her gap time a couple years ago, long before the pandemic upended the way we can travel. She tells us how her gap time prepared her for the challenges of the pandemic and how she took the pandemic disruption as an opportunity to have another adventure.  You can find Eco Israel at https://eco-israel.org/ and Carpe Diem Education at carpediemeducation.org. You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

Today on the pod we have Alison Sever, Program Director of Rising Earth Immersion at the Eco-Institute at Pickards Mountain, as well as Kaylah Brathwaite, Fall 2020 alum of the Rising Earth Immersion Program. This program is a holistic environmental leadership program that focuses on social justice, spirituality, and mindfulness. Alison and Kaylah tell us more about the philosophy and curriculum behind the REI program, as well as their own personal gap year and justice origin stories. You can find Rising Earth Immersion online at https://eco-institute.org/rising-earth-transformative-permaculture-immersion and on Instagram @the.eco.institute. You can find Gap Year Radio on Instagram and Facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com. You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we'd love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

In this episode, you are going to hear from two exceptional Americorps NCCC members, Emma and Amelie. Emma and Amelie are currently in the middle of their service year and tell us all about the projects they have completed and a few that are still in front of them. Something similar across all NCCC experiences is the diversity of projects Corps members participate in - from disaster relief to trail building to volunteering at the Humane Society to vaccine distribution, these young women and their teams are making the US a better place one project at a time. They'll tell us more about the experience and what to expect as a Corps member. Find NCCC at https://www.americorps.gov/serve/fit-finder/americorps-nccc and on istagram at @americorpsnccc You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

In this episode, we continue to #explorethegapyear this Gap Year Exploration Month by learning about the diversity of gap year opportunities in Israel. Beyond the religious and cultural significance of the country, travel to Israel offers the opportunity to delve into its natural beauty, foodie culture, tech-startup excitement, archeological landmarks, and plenty of adventure. First we speak with gap alum Ayden Novick who spent his year with Young Judea in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Next you'll hear from Phyllis Folb, a gap year expert and executive director of the American Israel Gap Year Association. She also just wrote a book called Find Your Right Direction: The Israel Gap Year Guide. Find Phyllis at https://www.instagram.com/israelgapyear/ and aigya.org Find Young Judea at youngjudea.org Connect with Gap Year Radio: www.gapyearradiopodcast.com email gapyearradio@gmail.com Insta: https://www.instagram.com/gapyearradio/

We kick off Season Six (when did that happen?!) with an overview of Gap Year Exploration Month with youtuber Beatrice Naujalyte of the Bliss Bean. Beatrice will walk us through all the exciting ways to #explorethegapyear in February! Gap Year Exploration Month, or GYEM (pronounced “gem”), is a time to share information, recognize, support, and celebrate those who are considering or have taken a gap year. For the month of February, educators, program providers, industry groups, gap year alumni, and others come together to grow awareness of the gap year option and its benefits. More info: GapYearExplorationMonth.com Find Beatrice at www.theblissbean.com You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

Margo and Julia close out Season Five of Gap Year Radio by looking behind and looking ahead. We talk to international educational consultant Kempie Blythe about the results of the 2020 Gap Year Alumni Survey, a massive nation-wide survey conducted by the Gap Year Association. Kempie gives us a highlight reel of survey results that showcase the benefits and outcomes of the gap year option. Afterwards, Julia and Margo give an overview of gap year opportunities on offer for winter/spring 2021 and the safety protocols programs have in place to manage covid risk for students and communities. If you are taking a gap year or gap semester and looking information on what is possible, this episode is a must-listen! Resources we cite include: Gap Year Association: gapyearassociation.org GoOverseas: gooverseas.com Ladder: https://ladder.to/ Let's Gapp ‌You‌ ‌can‌ ‌find‌ ‌us‌ ‌here‌ ‌at‌ ‌Gap‌ ‌Year‌ ‌Radio‌ ‌on‌ ‌instagram‌ ‌and‌ ‌facebook‌ ‌@gapyearradio‌ ‌or‌ ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌gapyearradiopodcast.com‌ ‌ ‌ You‌ ‌can‌ ‌email‌ ‌us‌ ‌your‌ ‌gap‌ ‌year‌ ‌questions‌ ‌or‌ ‌comments‌ ‌at‌ ‌‌gapyearradio@gmail.com‌ ‌ If‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌moment,‌ ‌we’d‌ ‌love‌ ‌for‌ ‌you‌ ‌to‌ ‌leave‌ ‌us‌ ‌a‌ ‌review‌ ‌on‌ ‌Apple‌ ‌Podcasts‌ ‌so‌ ‌more‌ ‌people‌ ‌can‌ ‌discover‌ ‌Gap‌ ‌Year‌ ‌Radio!‌ ‌ ‌

Joining us on the pod today is Tyler Newman, a current gapper and founder of a gap year program called Year of Mastery, which is an opportunity for students to unlock their fullest potential through 12 months of passion exploration. She tells us more about her accessible, student led peer support model that gives students the platform they need to succeed in their gap year. She also discusses her other personal endeavors, including tutoring in her free time, as well as the other projects she has recently founded. She shares about Afro Puff Chronicles, which gives womxn of color a platform to speak their truth through a celebration of art and writing, and her upcoming Women of Color virtual conference in March.

This episode we are super excited to welcome two more guests for our Mindful Volunteering Part 2 episode, Emily and Andrei. These two are former students of Claire Bennet from our Mindful Volunteering Part 1 episode and are currently in the midst of their gap year through the Princeton Novogratz Bridge Year Program in Udaipur, India. They spend some time telling us about the Novogratz Program and how their long-term service/work sites have been set up. Additionally, they reflect upon their perspectives on service, both before their gap year as well as how their time in India has changed their perspectives, and they also give some great advice for things that you can do to make a shorter-term service placement effective if you only have a bit of time. If you want to learn more about Princeton Novogratz Bridge Year program you can find them only at oip.princeton.edu/our-programs/novogratz-bridge-year or on Instagram @novogratzbridgeyear.

Today on the pod we are excited to host Jane and Jason Sarouhan, long time gap year counselors and co-founders of J2Guides. Many students this year have opted for the cross country road trip as a part of their gap year, and Jane and Jason have begun their own van life adventure this year with their daughter. They share with the listeners the fun adventures of life on the road, as well as what students might need to consider when planning their road trip.

"It all started with a conversation." That's how Justice in June co-founder Bryanna Wallace describes the genesis of the massively successful Justice in June resource. The conversation was a heart-to-heart with her best friend from college Autumn Gupta after the murder of George Floyd earlier this year. After this conversation, Autumn leapt into action to create a resource to help people become better allies to the black community. What started off as a google doc has grown into a website, an educational tool and another modality to ensure people continue active anti-racist education and action. In our conversation, we hear about the origin of Justice in June, how people can plug into the resource and their strategies for getting through this week and beyond, no matter the outcome of the election! You can find Justice in June online online at justiceinjune.org on Twitter and Instagram @justiceinjune And you can find us here at Gap Year Radio on Instagram and Facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com. And, something new we’re trying out… if you have gap year planning questions please email us a voice memo of your question and we may use it in an upcoming episode!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a covid gap year student? Are you curious what you'd do on a virtual gap year program? Today we hear from current gap year student Anushka Goel, who is participating in Global Citizen Academy. Global Citizen Academy is the virtual offering from Global Citizen Year, an organization that aims to build the next generation of global leaders. Anushka tells us how she is building that skill set alongside her virtual internship with OXFAM. You can find Global Citizen Academy online at globalcitizenyear.org on Twitter and Instagram @globalcitizenyr. And you can find us here at Gap Year Radio on Instagram and Facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com. And, something new we’re trying out… if you have gap year planning questions please email us a voice memo of your question and we may use it in an upcoming episode!

Joining us today on the pod is Caleb Kyle, who spent last year on a gap year adventuring in the outdoors through New Zealand and Costa Rica. He discusses with us the two programs he participated in, and explains the experience one can have with Outward Bound in Costa Rica. He received numerous useful certifications during the program, and also shares with us the struggles they faced when the pandemic cut their time in Central America short.

Ok, so here's what we know in September of 2020: There are a TON of students taking a gap year this year! And they are finding creative and meaningful ways to spend their year. We want to help students make the most of their gap year this year- especially if was unexpected. With that in mind, we invited College Success Expert Katy Oliveira to tell us about skill-building. Katy walks us through the three sets of skills that college students need to be able to thrive on campus and how to build those skills on your gap year. Find Katy at collegehoodadvice.com or on instagram @collegehoodadvice Follow Gap Year Radio on instagram @gapyearradio

Today on the pod we are rounding out Season Four of Gap Year Radio with a feature from your cohosts, Margo and Julia. We discuss gap year and college planning in the time of COVID, something we know so many high school seniors are grappling with this year. For the second half of the show you will hear from Drew Beasley, a gap year alumni who started college both with and without gap time, and speaks to the important that time abroad had on his future, and his current work helping to promote the gap year movement.

Joining us on the podcast is Gary Robinson of P3 Mental Health. For the last twenty years Gary has been the Director of Counseling at Hartwick College, and has dedicated himself for over 30 years to helping high school and college-aged students to maximize their potential and overcome barriers to learning. He has also spent a number of years working with various gap year and summer programs for field staff training as well as crisis management consulting while students are in the field. He discusses with us the current mental health climate in regards to COVID-19 as well as suggesting a number of wellness tips to help people through this challenging time.

Franny Eremeeva's political journey started when she received an email from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign asking "Do you want to be a fellow?" She volunteered and interned on Clinton's presidential campaign during her gap year in addition to traveling to East Africa and Italy. She went on to intern at the Council on Foreign Relations and for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (heard of her?). Now, she's about to graduate from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in international relations and a fire in her belly to change the world. In this episode of Gap Year Radio, Franny shares her wisdom for how to secure positions with election campaigns and cause-based organizations and how to make the most of the opportunity once you are there. For more information and resources for how to get involved in Election 2020 as a young person, visit election2020gapyear.com

Gap year alum Ivy Jones spent her gap year expanding her knowledge and experience in environmental sustainability. She began her year with a Thinking Beyond Borders semester spent in Guatemala and Costa Rica where she learned about education systems, sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism. Inspired by her experience with TBB, she dove deeper into environmental issues with Ecoswell, a grassroots organization based in Peru. There she assisted the organization in projects to support eco-tourism, reforestation and sustainable living. Her gap year informed her course of study at college and changed the ways she lives her daily life in order to have a lighter footprint on the planet. Find Gap Year Radio on instagram @gapyearradio Find Thinking Beyond Borders at thinkingbeyondborders.org Find EcoSwell at ecoswell.org Find Marion Taylor (gap year counselor) at TaylortheGap.com Full show notes available at gapyearradiopodcast.com

When disaster strikes, we are all asked to give money to help in the immediate aftermath. But once a disaster zone shifts to a recovery zone, you are also able to donate time and your own sweat. In this episode, we speak with Josiah Johnson and Riley Piva, two incredible gap year alums who dedicated time to disaster recovery with the international relief organization All Hands and Hearts. They open up about the experience volunteering in disaster relief, the mental health benefits of serving others and how you can get involved!  Visit allhandsandhearts.org for more information about getting involved with their projects. You can find Gap Year Radio online at gapyearradiopodcast.com or on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio. Drop us a line at gapyearradio@gmail.com!

On this episode of Gap Year Radio we are so excited to welcome Claire Bennet, co-author of the book Learning Service: The Essential Guide to Volunteering Abroad. On this episode, she discusses with us the many nuances of international service, aid and development, voluntourism, and other topics related to volunteering abroad. She reframes for us what is often referred to as "Service Learning", to describe this restructuring of the ideology into "Learning Service", where learning really is prioritized before everything else. You can follow along on the principles from Learning Service on Instagram @learning.service and on their website https://learningservice.info .

Andrew Buchanan joins us on the pod to discuss the Morehead Cain Scholarship, a program that provides a fully funded four year undergraduate degree at UNC Chapel Hill, as well as offers funding for a gap year. As the first gap year recipient of the scholarship, Andrew discusses with us his travels with his dad and brother, his NOLS course in Patagonia, and then his solo travels throughout Asia.

February is Gap Year Exploration Month! There are so many fun ways to explore the opportunities of the gap year option this month. This episode, we open Season Four by chatting all about Gap Year Exploration Month events happening every day this month! For more info and events schedule, go to www.gapyearexplorationmonth.com and follow the hashtag #explorethegapyear Gap Year Radio is running a contest in February to win a copy of The Complete Guide to the Gap Year by Kristin White! Simply follow @gapyearradio on insta and comment on a contest post with #explorethegapyear Some exciting scholarships and contests going on in Feb: Gap Year Association Alumni instagram contest ($500) Gap Year Association Future Gapper Instagram Contest ($500) USA Gap Year Fairs Ambassador Scholarship ($3000) Travel Access Project Grant ($3000) Full details on our show notes at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com

Joining us on the pod is Charlie Taibi, CEO of the gap year program Year On, a three part program that helps students gain the confidence, clarity, and direction they need to succeed in college and beyond. Charlie discusses with us the core principles of the Year On program, how he got to where he is today, and inspires us with his recent working sabbatical. Charlie has big ideas for the future of the gap year and shares his wisdom and dreams with the listeners of the pod.

Today we welcome bestselling author Lara Prior Palmer to talk about the gap year that inspired her book, Rough Magic. At the age of nineteen, Lara Prior-Palmer discovered a website devoted to “the world’s longest, toughest horse race”―an annual competition of endurance and skill that involves dozens of riders racing a series of twenty-five wild ponies across 1,000 kilometers of Mongolian grassland. Lara ultimately became the youngest and first-ever woman to win the race. Margo, Julia and Lara discuss the entirety of Lara's gap year, what it was like competing as a woman and why she thinks all young people should consider the magical uncertainty of gap time. ***CONTEST ALERT*** We are running an Instagram contest to give away a copy of Lara's book! The contest runs through Monday, December 16th 2019 so the winner will get their copy just in time for the holidays. Want in? Follow @gapyearradio on instagram and tag someone you want to travel with too. If you already follow us, tag two people you want to travel with and/or who you think should take a gap year. Winner will be announced on December 17th 2019!

Marco Marsans spent his gap year on four continents, expanding his understanding of himself as well as the mechanisms that make the global economy run. Marco learned that by understanding the functions of micro and macro economies, he can affect positive change in the world. In his captivating interview, Marco details how traveling in Asia, working with refugees in Costa Rica and interning at a private equity firm in Amsterdam informed his thinking on how to dismantle global inequities. 

Joining us on the pod is Emma Hulme, who spent her post-college gap time with the American Conservation Experience (or ACE), a branch of Americorps that coordinates and trains volunteers to undertake practical environmental restoration projects in America’s national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other public lands. Emma tells us about how her three month stint with ACE turned into nearly a year of service in various parts of the west, and led her to her current adventures abroad and taking the leap to push outside of her comfort zone. Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

Ever wonder what colleges think about the gap year option? This episode we are joined by Skyler Adams, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Northwestern University. Skyler tells about the gap year from the admissions perspective and how to think about a gap year as it relates to applying for college. We also discuss the ideal deferral plan, how deferring can impact financial aid and why a gap year won't help get you into college. Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

This episode you are going to hear from Mackenzie Burke, a gap year alumni who participated in three distinct program during her gap time. She chats about the various passions and interests these three segments served for her, from the plains of East Africa, to researching life under the sea in Timor-Leste, to living on her own in Cusco Peru. Additionally she shares with us a bit more about the independence progression that she intentionally set up for herself during this year.

Welcome to Season Three of Gap Year Radio! We are excited to bring you a brand new season of exciting interviews. Our premiere episode features three entrepreneurs who launched successful social ventures as a result of their gap year experiences. You’ll hear from Kris Cody of PAKA Apparel, Anika Funk of Banana Backpacks and Cecilia Polanco of So Good Pupusas. Although these three stories are unique to each of their personal journeys, they share a common thread of their gap time influencing their worldviews, and eventually, their enterprising career paths. As Kris says,” Taking a gap year in of itself is an entrepreneurial act.” Note to listeners: Use coupon code GAPYEAR for discounts on PAKA and Banana Backpacks gear!

How does one prepare for a transformative experience like a gap year? For our Season Two finale, we invited three professional gap year counselors; Jason Sarouhan of the Center for Interim Programs, Marion Taylor of Taylor the Gap and Susan Staley of Free to Roam Adventures, to discuss what they think are the most important ways to prepare for a gap year. We'll cover mental and physical preparation as well as tips for staying safe on your gap time. Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

On today's pod we are excited to welcome Nora Livingstone, the cofounder and volunteer coordinator of Animal Experience International, which is an organization that offers ethical and life-changing trips for students, professionals, and animal lovers to volunteer around the world with organizations that are working ethically and sustainability for animal conservation. Nora is a Nature Canada Woman for Nature and is on the advisory board of the Orangutan Project and the Women’s Advisory Council of JourneyWoman. Nora holds FEMA certifications for volunteering, leadership, and deployment during natural disasters, and has volunteered with animals all over the world. This episode discusses some of the ethics around volunteering with animals and pitfalls to look out for as you are looking at your own potential volunteering experience, as well as the five freedoms of animal welfare and how those fit into the Fair Trade Learning Standards for the Gap Year Association. You can learn more about Animal Experience International online at https://www.animalexperienceinternational.com/.

Joining Margo on the pod is Jacqueline Contino, who spent a life-changing post-undergraduate gap year in South Africa through the program Oyster Worldwide. After studying a pre-veterinary track in college, she ended up participating in two separate programs in South Africa during her gap time, first studying wildlife veterinary medicine. It was during this first stint in the country where she discovered that maybe there was a different path calling to her, and she was able to return to the same place in South Africa to pursue her now dreams of becoming a park ranger.

Joining us in this episode is Sasha Landauer and Jiyoung Jeong and of Gapyearly, who start us off by telling us a bit more about their own independent gap years post high school before beginning their undergraduate education at Stanford University. They now c0-direct the online gap year platform Gapyearly, which offers firsthand feedback of gap year experiences and free support for prospective gap parents as well as students who are considering gap time. They have recently co-written a Gap Year Planning Guide in partnership with the Gap Year Association, with special editing and design assistance from Erin Aucar of Amigos, who also joins us on the episode to walk us through this incredible resource for future gappers out there.

Elisabeth Mulder joins Margo on the pod to discuss her gap semester spent in New Hampshire with Gap at Glen Brook. From spending two days solo in the woods, to returning as a summer camp counselor at Glen Brook and now heading back this summer for her third stint of time, Elisabeth's passion for her experience with Gap at Glen Brook is inspiring.

As an American, there are so many ways to give back right here in the US on a gap year. One of them is City Year, an 11 month long service program that some people call "the domestic Peace Corps." Volunteers spend their year mentoring students in a high-need school in one of twenty-nine CY cities across the country. Andre Morgan and Tiger Mar share their experiences as City Year volunteers in New Orleans and Boston.