Mind the GAP

We were delighted to be part of  Maclean's 2013 Campus Series.   Below is a copy of the article.   We work 

with wonderful gappers and families.  It was so exciting to be able to share one of their stories through this
article.  Gap years continue to become a pathway after high school, as a break in post secondary or even after, as we see in this case.   We believe in gapping at any age or stage in life.   As far as we have come to know, we are the only gap year planning organization that combines coaching and EQ within a structured gap year.  We partner with many exceptional companies who support gap year experiences.   We look forward to continuing to serve gappers and their families in creating a year we hope you will not forget!

Mind the gap

By Rosemary Counter | February 13th, 2013 |

Gap years now happen before and after university

Mygapyear Cate M. India Nepal 2011.

University of Guelph undergrad Casey Panning, now 24, was sitting in a Southeast Asian geography class when it occurred to her that she might never see Asia. With vague plans to teach geography, and inspired by a friend who’d spent a semester in Singapore, Panning knew it was now or never.

The gap year—taking a year off school to work, travel or volunteer—has been a pre-university rite of passage in Europe, where it began in Britain in the ’60s and spread to other Commonwealth countries—including Canada. A Statistics Canada survey of about 8,500 high school graduates from 2000 to 2008 found that just 50 per cent had started college or university within the usual three months; 73 per cent had begun in a year’s time; and by 28 months after graduation, 81 per cent of students were attending a post-secondary school.

Some schools even encourage a break: York University’s Bridging the Gap program allows students to defer their acceptance; Harvard actually suggests it.

But while the gap year once fell definitively between high school and higher education, travelling the world at 17 or 18 just isn’t feasible for many people.

“First of all, my parents would have never let me,” says Panning, who finished a bacherlor’s in psychology before spending her gap year teaching English in Costa Rican slums and travelling with her boyfriend through Australia, Laos and Thailand. Besides parental objections and a lack of money (and fewer skills to land a job), more maturity makes a post-degree gap year easier and more rewarding than its post-high school equivalent. “It’s way better to get university done and then go,” Panning says.

Nobody tracks when or where college and university grads go after they receive diplomas or degrees, but Susan Griffith, a transplanted Canadian living in Cambridge, England, says the post-university or -college gap year is a trend that has emerged since she started publishing Taking a Gap Year in 1999. She says the later gap year is both practical—“you’ve already paid your tuition”—and situational. “It’s much more difficult to get a job right out of university these days.”

This is especially true for students who graduate from programs like English and philosophy; despite what they might have been told, a B.A. often isn’t enough. Instead of working at a menial job, travel—whether for work or volunteering or tourism—is a great way for students to beef up a resumé and set themselves apart from the competition.

“Gap years were once frowned upon by employers, as if kids would rather travel than focus on their careers,” says Katie Idle, director of Vancouver-based Study and Go Abroad, Canada’s largest travel fair. “But things are changing; the workplace is globalized. Now it’s a big asset if you’ve travelled, interacted with cultures and lived in a different country.”

Indeed, studies show gap years actually benefit students. The non-profit Canadian Council on Learning found students who took gap years—affectionately known as “gappers”—were eight per cent more likely to find employment upon return, possibly because of their extra work experience.

Conversely, a bad gap year can hurt your chances for success. “An unsuccessful gap year is when you get some terrible local job and never get around to doing anything,” says Griffith.

To avoid this, a slew of personalized gap-year planning companies are flooding the Canadian marketplace. Toronto-based My Gap Year, for example, offers “a unique combination of life coaching and travel,” says co-founder Julie Newton. Her current clients, about half of them doing a post-university gap year, have found themselves living in the Amazon jungle, working on a ranch in the Australian outback and hanging out with Tibetan monks.

“We start the program with coaching,” says Newton. “We ask, ‘What do you want out of this year? What are your goals? What’s important to you?’ ”

If travel isn’t possible or of no interest, a stay-at-home gap year can be equally good for boosting a lacklustre portfolio. “We had one student who wanted to go to film school, so we got her into an online writing course, she volunteered at the Toronto International Film Festival and worked at a Cineplex movie theatre,” says Newton. The student was soon accepted into the program she wanted.

Most important, a gap year removes students from the conveyor belt of academia to get some much-needed perspective and appreciation for what they have. “People learn that they live very privileged lives and not to take simple things—water from a tap, even—for granted,” says Griffith. For most, another year of education may not seem so bad.

Which is exactly what Casey Panning did when she returned to Toronto. Thoroughly convinced she wanted to teach, she enrolled in teacher’s college and graduated last June. But teaching jobs are scarce. “I’m working at a law firm for the time being,” she says. And if nothing in her field pops up soon, would she tap out and go travelling again? “I would absolutely love to,” she says.

all rights belong to the author and Maclean's http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2013/02/13/mind-the-gap/

Funding A Gap Year - Little by Little

One of the questions we often get in the travel and gap year world is about money.   At mygapyear we specialize in working within individuals based on their budget.  Some of you future gappers out there might consider some tips from the image below.  While we don't support all of the ideas, here are a few to get you started.   Just remember, keep safe!

In Greek there is a saying:  Bean by bean you fill a sack.  It sounds better in greek, but the meaning is not lost in translation.   Every bit counts.  

The Who, What, How, Where and Whys of Gapping.

           
           

                Browse more data visualization.
           

           
           
           
       

Part 1: Alignment: Find the Questions First

Today's blog is part of the fourth and final blogs that relate back to the Book of Awesome.  The power of questions and questioning bring us to unique spaces, both in body and mind that help us to align our vision with our goals.  Ultimately, we see results through this process.    Let's explore some questions, both from tow insightful woman Martha Beck and Marilee Adams. 
 

20 Questions That Could Change Your Life

Finding the answers starts with posing the right questions—and Martha Beck has 20 to get you started.

By Martha Beck

 

1. What questions should I be asking myself?
At first I thought asking yourself what you should be asking yourself was redundant. It isn't. Without this question, you wouldn't ask any others, so it gets top billing. It creates an alert, thoughtful mind state, ideal for ferreting out the information you most need in every situation. Ask it frequently.

2. Is this what I want to be doing?
This very moment is, always, the only moment in which you can make changes. Knowing which changes are best for you comes, always, from assessing what you feel. Ask yourself many times every day if you like what you're doing. If the answer is no, start noticing what you'd prefer. Thus begins the revolution.

3. Why worry?
These two words, considered sincerely, can radically reconfigure the landscape of your mind. Worry rarely leads to positive action; it's just painful, useless fear about hypothetical events, which scuttles happiness rather than ensuring it. Some psychologists say that by focusing on gratitude, we can shut down the part of the brain that worries. It actually works!

4. Why do I like {cupcakes} more than I like {people}?
Feel free to switch out the words in brackets: You may like TV more than exercise, or bad boys more than nice guys, or burglary more than reading. Whatever the particulars, every woman has something she likes more than the somethings she's supposed to like. But forcing "virtues"—trying to like people more than cupcakes—drives us to vices that offer false freedom from oppression. Stop trying to like the things you don't like, and many vices will disappear on their own.

5. How do I want the world to be different because I lived in it?
Your existence is already a factor in world history—now, what sort of factor do you want it to be? Maybe you know you're here to create worldwide prosperity, a beautiful family, or one really excellent bagel. If your impressions are more vague, keep asking this question. Eventually you'll glimpse clearer outlines of your destiny. Live by design, not by accident.

6. How do I want to be different because I lived in this world?
In small ways or large, your life will change the world—and in small ways or large, the world will change you. What experiences do you want to have during your brief sojourn here? Make a list. Make a vision board. Make a promise. This won't control your future, but it will shape it.

7. Are {vegans} better people?
Again, it doesn't have to be vegans; the brackets are for you to fill in. Substitute the virtue squad that makes you feel worst about yourself, the one you'll never have the discipline to join, whether it's ultra-marathoners or mothers who never raise their voices. Whatever group you're asking about, the answer to this question is no.

8. What is my body telling me?
As I often say, my mind is a two-bit whore—by which I mean that my self-justifying brain, like any self-justifying brain, will happily absorb beliefs based on biases, ego gratification, magical thinking, or just plain error. The body knows better. It's a wise, capable creature. It recoils from what's bad for us, and leans into what's good. Let it.

9. How much junk could a chic chick chuck if a chic chick could chuck junk?
I believe this question was originally posed by Lao Tzu, who also wrote, "To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something." Face it: You'd be better off without some of your relationships, many of your possessions, and most of your thoughts. Chuck your chic-chick junk, chic chick. Enlightenment awaits.

10. What's so funny?
Adults tend to put this question to children in a homicidal-sounding snarl, which is probably why as you grew up, your laughter rate dropped from 400 times a day (for toddlers) to the grown-up daily average of 15. Regain your youth by laughing at every possible situation. Then, please, tell us what's funny—about everyday life, about human nature, even about pain and fear. We'll pay you anything.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Martha-Becks-20-Questions-That-Could-Change-Your-Life_1/2#ixzz27m6clUcl

Also, if you prefer to listen and learn an interview from Marilee Adams.

 

Deepening our Awareness: Universities and Gap Years

 

 Happy Friday!  Following up to last week's blog we are on a theme about awareness.  While Neil is referring to awareness as seeing the world differently.  This week's blog explores how gap years can help inspire a period of awareness for young adults; additionally, the growing awareness and understanding of the purpose of a gap year by universities.  Below is an article that was published in the Vancouver Observer this past week.    

North Americans catching onto
gap year trend 

Source: http://www.vancouverobserver.com/life/travel/north-americans-catching-gap-year-trend#comment-233818

To gap, or not to gap? That is the question.

While the gap year, or “year out”, has been a common and popular rite of passage in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and many countries in Europe for decades,North American students have  traditionally ridden the academic conveyor belt all the way from preschool to university without a break.

Now, the tides are changing and many soon- to-be high school graduates are saying they’re burnt out, and need more time before deciding what they want to take at university. Instead of packing for their first year, they are now booking their flights to go volunteering in Africa, or work on a yacht in the Caribbean.

North America is starting to catch on to the “gap year” trend, and for good reason. Amid concerns about drop-out rates, researchers now say that students who go straight to university often find themselves in a program that doesn’t interest them, and are more likely to change programs, thus prolonging their degree and increasing their debt level, and they are more likely to quit. Experts now say that going straight to university may be short-sighted for some, and a year out is the way to go for some soul-searching.

And taking a gap year has never been easier. Many universities are now willing to defer start dates for a year – York University is embracing this gap year phenomenon with its Bridging the Gap program and “celebrates” a student’s choice to take a year off to gain work experience, do community service or go on an international exchange and will reserve the student’s admission spot for up to a year provided he or she is accepted into the program. Harvard University, one of the top universities in the world, has always been ahead of its time and for the past 40 years has proposed that students take a year out in its letter of admission.

Is there a downside to taking a gap year? Not really, according to a 2008 Statistics Canada report published jointly with Canadian Policy Research Networks. The report found that students who delay post-secondary education don’t face a disadvantage in the labour market later on – as long as they actually complete their program once started. In fact, a Canadian Council of Learning study found that students who took a gap year were eight per cent more likely to be employed upon finishing all their studies.

Understandably, many parents are a little nervous that their son or daughter will be side-tracked and destined to remain degree-less forever. However, even though there are no formal studies on the actual number of gap year students who do make their way to university, admissions staff say that only a few drop off the radar.
On the contrary, one year out in the world can make a young person more focused, better prepared for university life and more likely to complete at least one university degree. After all, it’s not getting into university that counts – it’s getting the degree at the end of the line.

Students who have taken the year out, universities, and the latest statistics aften agree that the gap year was worthwhile. Although it may be a daunting prospect for parents and students to divert from the “safe” bound-for- university-after-high-school route, the rewards and benefits are well worth stepping out of the comfort zone. To find out more about gap year options, come and visit SWAP Working Holidays and Basecamp International Center Volunteer Programs at the Study and Go Abroad Fairs.

Back to School: But I did not go.....

It is almost September.  Stores are full of back-to-school specials and the air is full of fresh promises for the year that lies ahead. Are you watching your friends' newsfeeds? Are they full of Orientation pictures? Tales of their new beginning at college or university?  Or, are you tweeting about your Orientation experience and it does not feel right?  Maybe, you did not make the choice to leave school - it made it for you.  Well, guess what - you are not alone.

Every September, groups of young adults decide, learn or are influenced to postpone their educational careers for a year or two - or even more!  Others decided into their first few weeks of school that something else is on their mind more than school: taking a gap year.

Maybe you are a parent, family member of a young adult who needs help finding direction.  This coming October, we are hosting an event for young men and their families. Young Men - Finding Direction in the Millennium will offer families and opportunity to explore what it means to be a young man navigating the world.

Whatever the path you find yourself on taking a break from your regular routine - or what feels comfortable can be a great choice.  Many of our clients come to us in the Fall.  We would love to speak with you about what you are thinking about this fall!

Did you know......

Turning Your Gap Year Into a “Stand Out” Resume

In anticipation of our LifeApp, we wanted to give you a little taste about how a gap year can enhance your resume!  This week in our blog we cover how you can create a stand out resume & why a gap year can help.

Would you like to attend our workshop or have someone in mind that might benefit from this workshop (specifically young adults) please email us at home at mygapyear.dot ca.


In today’s world landing a job has become more difficult and more competitive than ever.  This is especially true for the new graduate. While formal education is still very much the standard requirement for most jobs, chances are it won’t be your university degree that gets you in the door.  Even graduating with straight A’s, is just not enough anymore.  So how do you land that dream job and set yourself apart from the other candidates?  Career transition experts say that skills such as self awareness, emotional intelligence, possessing the right attitude, and often practical experience is what will give a potential candidate the leading edge.

A structured gap year will give you real life experience outside of the classroom that can be leveraged to differentiate you when it comes to a job search, and will help you develop those crucial skills that are needed to create the “wow” factor on your resume.  A gap year can help build leadership skills, broaden your perspective of other cultures, views and global awareness, develop organizational, problem solving, and time management skills, as well as increase your motivation and self reliance - all attributes and skills that are among the top listed qualities that employers want.

The trick then becomes conveying and articulating your gap year adventures to match what employers are looking for. Below are a few tips to consider when creating your resume.

• Label your gap year under the heading “Other Experience” and remember to include dates.  This is more effective than simply “hiding” it under work experience where it may appear a little flaky
  
• Choose to highlight tangible skills that you gained which are transferable and easily translate into diverse jobs
  
• Don’t include everything!! You most likely gained a bunch of new skills during your gap year that you consider important, but remember, a resume is only meant to pique the curiosity of the reader so include only the points that are most relevant to the specific job you are targeting 
  
• Make sure you include specific examples to demonstrate the skill you want to highlight. This will go a long way in adding credibility especially if you choose examples that are actionable
  
• Don’t forget about the cover letter.  The cover letter is a great place to introduce and highlight how your gap year experience makes you a unique candidate with added value for the organization.  

So if a gap year is something you are considering but are not sure if it’s right for you ask yourself how it might help set you on the right path for future career success?

We can partner with you through one on one coaching, planned travel and volunteer experience that will ensure your gap year will be successful in helping you clarify your career/ educational goals and interests, discover your passions and interests, and give you the practical experience you need to stand out from the crowd and look attractive to a future employer.

Gapping Alone?

A mygapyear alumni shares her story & review of Rustic Pathways

One of our gappers shared some insights with us about her experience with Rustic Pathways. More relevant to this post is her decision to join a tour group alone.  How you want to spend your gap year, either locally or globally, is a tough and personal decision.  Many individuals that we work with are travelling alone for the first time with out family or other friends; therefore, it is a can be smart plan to go with a trusted tour organization.  There are thousands out there - this is why it is so important to read reviews, speak to others who have gone on trips with them and work with  people you can learn to trust - like mygapyear! There are lots of perks going with a group; for example, you will meet people from all over the world.  It is a great way to plan future trips and experiences.  There is often a balance of group and personal time.  Our gapper shares more reasons below for taking a gap experience with a group. Please enjoy the wonderful write up from our gapper and her trip to Peru! 

I have been back from Peru for nearly a month now but with the trip and the country still fresh in my mind I wanted to take the time to put down in words how pleased I was with the month Rustic Pathways organized for me. Going into the trip, I was definitely a little apprehensive---I was the first mygapyear client to travel with Rustic, and wasn't quite sure what to expect. And to be fair, the first few days were tough: it wasn't clearly stated on the Rustic Pathways website, but I soon found out that because I was doing the April trip (the third month in which they offer gap trips) I was actually joining a group that had already been together for the past two months. As opposed to being in the same boat as everyone else, I was one of only a few "newbies" to the group, and that was definitely a challenge---not only was I in a new country, but I also had to deal with the fact that everyone already knew each other!

In a way, though, I'm glad I went into the trip not knowing that everyone would already be friends, because if I had known that beforehand I might not have gone and I would have missed out on one of the most exciting months of my life! The trip was an adventure/volunteer excursion throughout the Andes inPeru, and I found it to be the perfect mix of exploring, volunteering, free-time, and relaxing. We started the trip around Cusco and Ollantaytambo, a place known as the "living city of the Incas", and it was the perfect introduction to the country's background and culture. We got the chance to live with and learn from local families, but also didn't miss out on the main tourist attrations the country has to offer---Machu Picchu, the Andes, Lake Titicaca, and more. I wouldn't have changed a thing about the itinerary.

I also really liked the fact that our group was smaller than most gap trips are---there were only eight of us (plus the most fabulous guide!) in total, and we really got to know each other really well. At times it was hard to deal with everyone---sometimes people didn't feel like working, or other times half the group wasn't feeling well---but that is only to be expected, and our guide couldn't have dealt with things any better. I also found it hard at times being the only Canadian in the group---Rustic is an American organization and everyone was from the States---but it proved to be a good conversation starter on more than one occasion! And for the most part the group did get along really well, and I have made friends that I hope to keep in touch with in the future.

The trip was definitely worth the cost and if I had the chance, I wouldn't hesitate to travel with Rustic again. I feel as if I really got to know Peru as a country and had the chance to help out a lot, and I wouldn't change a thing about it.

WHAT ABOUT TAKING A GAP YEAR?

Welcome back, readers.  This is the final posting in our three week series.  We have explored myths about gap years, what happens to an individual's academic journey and finally, we want to share stories from some of our current gappers.  Below is an entry from a gapper who is travelling in South America.  Our clients have traveled all over the world and Canada.  Blogging is a great way to say in touch with family and friends while abroad.  mygapyear values the unique opportunity blogging can add to an individual's gap year experience.  It is a great tool to capture learning, stories and a fun way to stay in touch with family and friends. 

Part Three:  What could you do on a gap year? 

Blog excerpt from a current blogging gapper!

Hey all—

I am proud to say that we have all returned safe and sound to civilization after two amazing weeks in the Amazon. All a little dirty and smelly, we can't help but be proud of all the hard work we’ve accomplished. 

Our first week was spent in the small village of Campo Cocha and our second week was spent just up the river volunteering at a rain forest reserve run by the Arajuno Jungle Lodge. 

In Campo Cocha, we lived with local families in quite rustic conditions. These local families were Quichua, the indigenous people to this region. 

Our mornings were spent working and spending time with our families while our afternoons were spent running a "kids camp" for all the children of the village

Standing in the Buttresses of the ¨Tree of Life¨

. The work that filled our mornings included: collecting cacao and opening the fruits with a machete to collect the coco beans inside, chopping wood, fishing, collecting yucca and plantains, panning in the river for gold, and much more. 

After a hearty lunch of some variation of yucca and plantains, we set off to go to the center of the village to run the kids camp.  Some of us had to walk as far as a kilometre and a half (about one mile) each way. 

We ran the kids camp by doing a different theme of activities (arts, sports or science) each day. Whether it was painting wacky pictures with water colours, kicking a ball around a soccer field with 30 very enthusiastic and energetic little ones, or having slime fights, the kids always had us laughing and having a great time. 

After being exhausted from hard work in the mornings and chasing after kids all afternoon, we would return back to our host families to help prepare dinner and spend time together. We happily collapsed into our beds every night for a much deserved sleep. 

            A week flew by, and after a tearful goodbye with our families, we boarded a small motorized canoe and travelled up the river, deeper into the rain forest, to the Arajuno Jungle lodge for a week of ecological conservation work. 

Upon arrival, we discovered that our lodging was not nearly as rustic as our experience in Campo Cocha village had been

 Another Woman of the Village

Comments!

. Tom, the former Peace Corps trainer who owns and runs the lodge, had outfitted the beautiful hardwood and thatched roof buildings with nice furnishings, including a hammock for almost everyone in our group, a TV with a selection of DVDs, a stereo, and an ipod player --  all completely run by solar power. Even his water system was run by rain water he collected in reservoirs. It was truly an ecologically sustainable palace. 

However, pleasant lodging aside, our work was just as physically demanding as it had been in Campo Cocha. Tom, who works tirelessly to restore the Yellow Spotted Turtle populations of the river, had us chopping up bamboo with machetes, planting bamboo on the riverside and hauling bags of sand from a beach up to his enclosure of Yellow Spotted Turtles to provide them with sand to lay their eggs in. With four and a half hours of work every morning, we were all thankful to have our lazy afternoons of curling up in a hammock with a good book. 

            But now our time at the Arajuno Jungle Lodge has ended, and our time in the Amazon rain forest in general, and we are off to the bustling markets of Otavalo. It’s hard to believe that our time in South America is almost over and we’ll be seeing you all soon.

But until then—

Hope all is well back home.




Thank you for joining us on our three week exploration of taking a gap year.  Next week, we will begin a new series.  Please join us as we explore the foundations of  successful gap years.  

WHAT ABOUT TAKING A GAP YEAR?

Last week we explored three common myths about taking a gap year.  A gap year is a unique opportunity to take time away from your regular routine based on your budget, timeline and goals.  But what about school -good question!  This week we are exploring a theme of myths related to post-secondary planning and a gap year.We hope it answers some of your questions,future gappers and families!

Part Two: What about a post-secondary education? 

Going back, getting started and why a gap year can help!

En route to Colca Canyon, Peru

4. They/You will lose a year. When personal discovery and learning takes place, - nothing is lost! Gappers have experienced many different scenarios when working with universities/colleges. Start by looking into your university/college to see if they offer a deferral (or sabbatical) option so that you can delay the start of your first (or next) year. If you have to re-apply, consider building your portfolio and experiences over the course of a gap year to demonstrate your commitment to education in your field.  Some individuals are not ready to embark on their next educational steps after high school.  Here is a video we have put together where some of our clients share their stories about taking a structured gap year.

5. They/You will never return/go to school. By taking a gap year and committing to learning more about the world around you and how you fit into the larger picture  you have the potential to return more motivated, passionate and dedicated to a field that truly inspires you. This renewed sense of energy and self awareness helps young adults commit to an educational path or direction that engages them now and  in their future.

6. Universities/colleges frown on gap years. Gap years have been encouraged in Australia and the UK for decades - they are just starting to be recognized in North America.    Check out what Harvard, Parenting Blogs and Princeton have to say about gap years in North America. Want to help us put gap years on the radar of universities and colleges?  Please sign our petition on the top right corner of our blog!

Join us again next week as we explore part three in our series: stories of our gappers! We will start to share with you the plethora of stories, experiences and adventures of the individuals we work.

Have we de-mystified gap years for you? Have you started dreaming or planning some time away from your regular routine? Let us know below!

Not sure what to do next? 

What about taking a gap year?

 Are you feeling undecided about going straight to University or College? Or do you have a young adult that just is not ready  for the next step? Perhaps you're just back from your first year post secondary experience and it just didn't fit well or wasn't as interesting as you thought . How about taking a gap year?  Join our conversation for the next few weeks as we explore what a gap year entails and some common myths about taking a gap year or a break from your regular routine. 

                 Part One:  Three Common Myths about a Gap Year                                   

1. It has to be one full year. Not true! Gap years are a conscious and purposeful step away from ordinary routine. Gap years can range from a few months over the summer to over a year.  Some gappers work for a period of time to finance their experience.  Also, there are many ways to be creative with the time you have available to take a break from your regular routine.  Typically, it is encourage to have at least four to six months.

2. It is expensive. A gap year can meet any budget with some careful planning. Properly searching out organizations that are cost-effective and safe can be done. You can also choose local experiences, earn money and learn to save by having a job that expands your horizons! Working within your budget will help this year be a success!

3. It has to be overseas. Gap years can be experienced anywhere: locally, nationally and internationally! Remember to look at your goals, budget and at travel advisories when deciding where to travel.   Learning, about others, yourself and your passion can happen anywhere as long as you are open to the experience!

Have you started to think about your gap year or a gap year plan for the young adult in your life? Leave a comment below or get in touch with us to start chatting about your plan and how we can help!  Join us next week as we explore three more common myths about taking a gap year and discuss the question: What about school?

Who is mygapyear?

Julie Newton
Certified Professional Coach, ACC, ACPC ( Adler trained Coach)
Julie is the co-founder of mygapyear - an organization that empowers young adults to find direction at a pivotal time in their lives through taking a gap year. Julie's energized to create new pathways to empower young adults to transform their own lives. Julie has expertise in coaching young adults and parents to recognize strengths and values that build confidence and create life changing choices for future paths. Julie has over 15 years experience in the public sector in policy development and program delivery with extensive experience in education and retraining initiatives. Julie wants to create a space where young adults and parents can explore ways to move forward. Julie has a recently completed a certification in coaching youth with ADHD.

Tara Rinomato
Research and Travel Specialist
Tara is the co-founder of mygapyear. She is an expert in identifying and planning out of the box opportunities for young people. She is a resource in the community for sourcing educational programs outside the school environment, and is continually exploring innovative learning experiences. As the mother of two young men and a daughter Tara recognizes the importance of self discovery through transitional times, especially for young adults . Tara brings a playful approach to create an exciting gap year plan.
Alexandra Revesz
Certified Emotional Intelligence ( EQ-i) Coach
Alexandra is passionate about working with young adults through transitions. Her focus is to help individuals unlock and embrace hidden potential and pro-actively achieve their goals. Alexandra's background in Human resources and career transitions provides expertise in helping individuals find direction and creating positive change. She is EQ-i certified and has developed, designed and delivered work shops related to emotional intelligence, change and transition, and work/life success. Alexandra hopes to boost gapper's self awareness to empower meaningful choices. She is currently pursuing a professional coaching designation through Adler International Learning.

Michelle Garbacz
Leadership Specialist/Ontario Certified Teacher
Michelle has a passion for young adult leadership development and creating an environment where young adults can exercise their voice. With a background in teaching, camping, experiential education and her extensive work with young adults, Michelle brings experience in drawing out the learning from every situation.   She is strongly committed to fostering a community amongst gappers.  She is currently working on her Masters of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and works at Georgian College.

What's your elevator pitch?

What’s your elevator pitch?

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, - the idea of how you introduce yourself or explain what you do in a
smooth, flowing way? It’s harder then you think! Once you create something you’re happy with, try it
out on friends or colleagues a few times so that it sounds natural and polished.

Here’s the mygapyear introduction:

Our organization helps young adults who aren’t ready to take the next step, to find direction. We offer an alternate learning experience which is referred to as a gap year, AND we go beyond just traveling. We plan a year’s worth of experiences that includes a unique blend of coaching, Emotional Intelligence building and leadership development to help them move forward.

Maybe you have a few different pitches up your sleeve for different audiences. This is a great idea, if you find yourself in different situations, or need to be able to write something in an email. For example, if mygapyear is emailing students, we would say:

Feeling stuck or uninspired? Why not plan a gap year where you get to try new things, learn more about yourself and how you contribute to the world. Your gap year will help you gain independence and develop life skills that build your resume. It will leave you recharged and ready for the next phase of your life. mygapyear will research cool opportunities (that you might not have known were out there) and create a personalized gap year plan through coaching, emotional intelligence and leadership development. We help you capture your learning for life. So, if you had the time to do what you really wanted, -how would you spend it?

So what’s your elevator pitch? What would you say about who you are or what you do?

Mission, Vision, and Values - No easy Feat!

Have you ever felt like you were out of step with the organization that you work for?  Has your organization ever spoken to you about their mission, vision and values? Maybe this is where the disconnect lies!

We have been working on revamping our mission, vision and defining our values and it has proven to be very difficult.  Getting down to the root of what you stand for can be challenging to articulate in such a short blurb!  The benefit though, is that it provides clarity and direction for the entire organization and has proven to be well worth the time and energy spent on it.

We thought we would share what we have come up with.  Please feel free to comment and share yours - personal or organizational!

OUR MISSION
We empower young adults find direction at a pivotal time in their life through taking a gap year.  We offer alternative learning opportunities that go beyond travel to include a unique blend of coaching, emotional intelligence and leadership development.  Our structured plan, support and follow-up throughout the year ensure that our clients reach their goals and have a meaningful experience.

OUR VISION
To be recognized as the leading organization that reshapes society’s perceptions of meaningful ways to educate young adults.  To continually innovate new pathways to empower young adults to transform their own lives.

OUR VALUES
Value of Youth
Innovative Change
Love of Learning
Empowerment
Courage
Sharing
Service Excellence

Check us out at www.mygapyear.ca

Gapper Reflection on the Impact of his Volunteering

Saturday:
I left costa rica at 930am. The bus ride was long and seemed to stretch for hours. It took about 2 hours to reach the border. After an hour to the border of costa rica, and another hour at the border to nicaragua I finally began my travels through nicaragua. It was overwhelming being back. Even after only being here a week, it was enough to make it feel like a second home. I had forgotten how truly beautiful nicaragua was, how welcoming and friendly the people are, and how it truly made me thankful for the opportunity to return so soon.

Upon my arrival we talked for hours about my experience between nicaragua and costa rica. I met her two dogs Quien and Rudo and the turtle who lives in her backyard. Bonnie is a saint, she moved to nicaragua and started bridges to community with a few others. She has never looked back. She's an inspiration to everyone. It felt so good to be back amongst companions who felt as I do towards the people of nicaragua.

Sunday:
This morning I awoke and went to see my sponsor family. They were overjoyed to see me. They said its rare for volunteers to come back and visit so they were truly grateful for both myself and what I'd done and coming back to see the final product. Julio, the father of the house is going to stop by bonnies tomorrow to talk and hang out.
In the afternoon adelia and I went to see the Ipica show. Its a horse parade. They march and dance their horses up the street to music it was really cool.
For dinner we went to grenada and ate at a fusion resturaunt, I'd remembered it from our experience in january. Then the power went out, yet again haha hurricane factor. So we played yahtzee in the dark haha it was lots of fun.

Monday:
Today I got to work on a house, it was the starting with digging and cement foundations only worked about an hour by the time I got there, but it was fun none the less. I really enjoyed it. I got back in time to help mix cement as well as organize the piles of wood.
 I missed the crew so it was good to see them all. After I got back I had a few things to take care of and then my sponsor julio came by for a few hours and we exchanged words of home, as best we could. Taught each other different words and talked of the pronounciatin similarities in certain words.
Its my last night here and I'm really going to miss it. Its truly magnificent place. Full of life and hope. I was once again told that I was an angel sent by god, that left me speechless. I am unable to truly grasp
the depth of the emotion they must feel. To me it was fundraising for a family I wanted to help, no major task really, yet for them its life altering.

Nicaragua is never far from my mind. It truly changes the way you view reality and at the same time being here can bring you true happiness. Coming down to build a home and raise money had us regarded as angels, to this day they still prayer for us. Imagine having such a great impact on
the lives of a family that they are speechless in their gratitude and when words come out they make you speechless with pride.

I am going to miss it the second I leave :( I'm not looking forward to leaving.

mygapyear Client and Parent Testimonials

Interested in what our clients and the parents of our clients are saying about our services?  So are we!  We thought we would share some of their comments with you.

M.F. (mygapyear alumni)
Since we began I feel a lot more independent and capable of being self-sufficient.   I feel confident in my abilities to handle any new or difficult situations.  I also feel a lot more comfortable with myself which I think has affected the way I am treated by the people around me.  My parents say they have noticed a change for the better and think that I am becoming more of a responsible adult.
I think that my increase in confidence has made me a happier person in general.   I used to feel a lot more unsure of myself, which I believe prevented me from doing a lot of the things I wanted to do.  Now I feel like I am capable of reaching my goals.
I think that setting goals and working towards them was a really good approach to planning my gap year because it helped me get the most out of my year off.  It is also insightful to talk about my experience and what I gained from it.
Through our discussions I was able to figure out exactly what I wanted to get out of my year abroad.  With their knowledge, previous experience, and connections, My Gap Year helped me get in contact with the best programs and organizations.   They also provided me with different approaches to choosing my career path and what steps I can take as far as school and work experience.

M.P (mygapyear alumni)
Although I love to travel, I had too many personal commitments at home
and was not able to take a trip during my year off. Instead I remained in
Toronto, and surprisingly still had an amazing year. It was precisely the
decision to stay at home that made my year so rewarding: I was able to
balance working part-time, creating a portfolio for university, going out with
friends, and spending time with family. Mygapyear even found me volunteer
opportunities and a very educational online course to take in my spare time.
It was a year full of self-discovery; I learned that when I’m faced with
obstacles (no matter how big or small) I will always power through with
determination. I am more independent, resilient, and confident in my ability
to deal with stress. I no longer dread starting school and I look forward to
new challenges and opportunities. The people at mygapyear were extremely
helpful and encouraging, they kept me motivated and offered advice when
I was under pressure. I recommend mygapyear to anyone who wants to
experience new things and learn about their true personality and goals, but
isn’t sure where to begin. They will be with you every step of the way.

L.A. (mygapyear alumni)
In this time I have overcome my health risks and pains, engaged myself in new activities, expanded my horizons of travel, and overall became the person I always felt I would be while achieving my ultimate wellbeing.


L.B. (mygapyear alumni parent)
Just have a quick look at the internet; there seem to be a million opportunities for young people, but sorting through all the prospects is daunting. Besides the pure volume of information, there is always the concern that what you are looking at may not be quite as it seems. mygapyear acts as a resource to work through all the possibilities much more efficiently.  They bring focus and credibility to what is available. In the end, mygapyear helped [my daughter] enact a plan that included local (hobby) classes, volunteer work and the culmination – a job overseas (as a camp counselor).

C.R. (mygapyear alumni parent)
The past year has truly been one of growth and discovery for [my daughter]. Formerly a bit tentative and uncertain about her future, she has matured into a clearly confident and independent young adult. Her time spent studying and travelling in Europe enhanced not only her understanding and appreciation of other cultures and languages, but contributed to her sense of independence and direction in life. She now has set and achievable goals, towards which she has already begun to progress with her language studies abroad.
As parents, we had the opportunity to watch [my daughter] grow over the course of the year, and feel reassured that she is ready to tackle her freshman year at [] University with a new sense of purpose and motivation. We could not be more delighted with the outcome of [our daughter]’s gap year, and the guidance she received from MyGapYear Inc.





Visit us for more information www.mygapyear.ca

Blogging Gapper from South America

After our two day stay in La Paz, we set of on our journey to Rurrenabaque and the Amazon Basin. Our flight left La Paz at 7 a.m and landed in Rurrenabaque an hour later. When we landed we were surprised to see that there was no terminal, or building for that matter, rather there was just a landing strip and a few jeeps waiting to take us to our hostal. The rest of the day was spent exploring the town of Rurrenabaque, a small town located in the Amazon River Basin. The town was beautiful and surprisinly had more internet cafe´s then it did restaraunts. After having the balance of the day to walk around and explore the town, it was off to bed to get ready for our adventure.

We left Rurrenabaque early the next morning and drove for 3 hours to the town of Santa
Rosa, where we had lunch. The boat launch was 10 minutes away from the town and that is where we would begin our journey. The boats we travelled in were long, skinny and wooden, with a motor on
the back. They sat eight people in each, with a guide steering each boat. After loading our bags, we started heading down the river and immediately started to see animals such as Alligators, Tropical Birds, Monkeys and Capybarras, which are the largest rodents in the world. We boated for about 2 hours and then stopped and were given a chance to go swimming with the Pink Dolphins. The Pink Dolphins are fresh water river dolphins located in the Amazon River systems in South America. The dolphins were very shy and we really only saw them when the came up for air, but a few times a dolphin popped up 5 meters in front of you. After about a half an hour of swimming, we got back in our boats and headed off to our cabin where we would spend the next two nights. The facility we stayed at was very simple, it had a big cabin with ten beds for the boys, and a cabin of six and two for the girls. There were two bathrooms, a few showers, and a dinning room and kitchen. Each bed had a light blue mosqutio net attached to them, which succesfully kept out the bugs and gave everyone there on little sleeping oasis. Before dinner, we went back in the boats and went about ten minutes down the river to another cabin to watch the sunset. It was amazing to watch the sunset over the entire jungle, truly one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. As soon as the sun went down, we headed back to our homebase and had dinner, and the minute dinner was over, I climbed into my sleeping oasis and was out in a matter of seconds.

The next day, after breakfast, we went to hunt for Anacondas in the Pampas. We walked for two hours through tall grass, swamps, bushes, and hopped through fences before arriving at the area where the Anacondas were. The guides made us spread out in a long line that covered most of the area, and told us to walk slowly ahead and alret them if we saw any movement.We walked for about twenty minutues and were about to head to another area when a few people from another group yelled that they had found one. The entire group ran as fast as we could to see the snake. The Anaconda was 3 meters long and looked quite scared with thirty plus people taking pictures of it. We marvelled at the snake for a while and then started our long two hour trek back to our boats. We went back to our base and had lunch, followed by a three hour siesta. In the afternoon we went back to swim with the dolphins some more. After another half hour of swimming we went back to our cabin, had dinner, and went off to bed.

The next morning, there was an optional trip to go watch the sunrise in which most of the girls went and almost none of the boys went. Next on the agenda, after breakfast, was fishing for pirhana´s. Some of the group were very good at this, catching upwards of 7 fish. Other struggled catching only two (myself, one being about 3 inches long). After our morning fishing we went back to our base, packed up and headed back Rurrenabaque and to get ready for Copacabana and PERU!

Stay classy everyone,

Dalton