So you want to take a Gap Year

It's hard to explain how this whole gap year thing happened. There are things I did well and some things that could have used some more planning. But regardless of the number of times that things didn't turn out how I expected them to or wanted to, I wouldn't give up this year for the world. I've learned so much, and know that phrase is said by everyone whose ever had a good experience, but I mean it. I've learned about myself, about what I want to study, about how I want to study, about what I want to do, about what I hope to do.

So. Not that I can sway you. But if you have ever thought that a gap year might be a fun thing to do. If you've ever been interested in the idea.

Do it.

You don't have to have just finished high school--you can take a year off of school or travel just after college.

But if you're just thinking about it or have already decided you're going to do it and just wondering how to start planning, I know how hard that is.

In fact, I've probably spent some part of everyday wondering if I should have planned things differently. Then again, I spend some part of everyday thanking the powers that be that I am actually doing this weird crazy thing that doesn't fit into any of the boxes that used to make up my life.

If you want to take a gap year, do it.

This is how I pulled together this craziness.

Step one: Dream

Write down all the things you've ever wanted to do, you've ever wanted to learn. Write down all the places you've ever wanted to see. Don't say no to any idea. Just start brainstorming.

I thought about studying Spanish and WWOOFing, but I also though about doing a NOLS course, or learning how to white water kayak. I though about working on cruise ships around the world or working at a ski resort in some exotic locale (the Alps for instance). I thought about going to Argentina and studying birds, I thought about watching and researching birds in California or Minnesota. I dreamed about studying pottery at a distant relation's studio or learning to sail in Australia.

Step two: Talk to people

Tell everyone and anyone about your gap year. You'd be surprised how many people will give you ideas. This is where i got the birding idea in Argentina, or the ski resort one. One of my dad's friends backpacked through Europe with his banjo, playing music for money. Another gal I met lived and studied in a Easter European country for a year.

Talk to people, get ideas, start networking.

Step three: Find purpose

This might be optional for some people, but I really wanted to get something out of this year. My good friend suggested dividing things into categories--like spiritual, educational, volunteering, etc. I decided that I wanted to learn something everywhere I went. Spanish was the obvious thing i'd learn in Spain. Organic farming practices from WWOOFing. These were the obvious ones and the ones I loved the idea of from the start. Most everything else I dreamed up was  skills oriented (sailing, pottery, birding) and I used that to guide my planing. Other people might want to focus on volunteering, or doing really intensive cultural or religion immersions. That would be awesome. I still wish I'd done something like that.

Step four: Figure out how to make it work

This includes how you're actually going to do what you want to do. Research. Find programs, organizations, ways to make it work. Start to make decisions. This might be the hardest part. I am still thinking of things I want to do.

Step five: Be thoughtful

Ask yourself: how will I pay for this? Do you know people who can help you out? Connect you with organizations or just give you advice? Do you need a job? What about a place to stay? Look into visas and vaccination.

As for schools, I'd suggest applying and then deffering. It takes a lot of the stress load off. But then again, this is your year.

Step six: be creative, remember that there are NO RULES to this

This is your year. Do what you want. This has been the hardest thing for me. I've wasted so many hours worrying that I'm not doing it right--that I should have done different programs, gone to different places, decided to do something completely different. That's ridiculous. There is no right or wrong way to take a gap year. It's a time for you to explore yourself and the world around you. It's a time for you to do what you've always wanted.

Be creative. Dream. Decide to do things that scare you.

And take advantage of being in a new place. You'll be surrounded by people from different countries who have all sorts of different experiences. Talk to them. Ask questions.

Step six: Do it.

Maybe the scariest part of all, but of course, the best part.