Also known as a “sabbatical year,” a gap year is when students take a year off from schooling to deepen their practical, professional, or personal awareness. There are several pros and cons to taking a gap year during college or after high school, as well as gap year programs designed to help make the most out of the year away from traditional schooling.
Today, we’ll walk you through what a gap year is, discuss the pros and cons to the special gap year programs available, and of course, explain how Morgan Guidance can help match your child to the best gap year program based on their needs.
Benefits of a Gap Year
Taking a gap year before enrolling or completing their high school or college degrees can be a positive experience for young adults Gap years allow young people to:pursue other passions or find a passion
work and become more financially stable
work on personal development (this can be mentally, physically, socially)
add life experience to a resume
prevent burn out from extensive and& rigorous schooling
Problems With Gap Years
While taking a gap year can be a positive and beneficial experience for students, there can be some cons to taking a gap year, including:extending the time it takes to graduate
taking a gap year can become expensive if you plan to travel
some professionals think it can increase the chance of losing ambition academically.
Gap Year Programs for Personal Development
The best gap year program will depend on your child’s needs and interests, as well as the goals they are looking to accomplish by taking time off from their schooling.
We’ve compiled a small list of gap year programs available today. Still, wWe recommend reviewing the complete list of accredited Gap Year Programs to see exactly what types of programs are available to your child.
Wilderness Rehab for Young Adults Program
Wilderness rehab for young adults are adventure-based programs designed to address cognitive, affective, and behavioral problems by fostering personal and social responsibilities. Wilderness rehab for young adults generally takes place over the summer months and can be a perfect gap year program for students who need some level of mental or behavioral rehabilitation before continuing on their educational journey. At a wilderness therapy program, your son or daughter will be immersed in nature and away from their old habits and damaging routines. Today, there are dozens of wilderness therapy programs students can attend for a period of weeks or even months, depending on their needs and goals.Warriors Academy
The Warriors Academy is a gap year program designed around personal development and experiential education throughout South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Each Warriors Academy gap year program consists of a variety of activities and tasks to give students the best experience possible.
Journey Home Young Adult
The focus at Journey Home Young Adult is a whole-person approach to care. At this alternative gap year program, teens with emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders are encouraged to learn independent living and pursue education. This helps them move forward with their goals while providing therapeutic and emotional support. Participants will enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities designed to get them out of their comfort zones, enjoy new experiences, and make friends along the way.Outward Bound
For over 50 years, Outward Bound has provided experiential outdoor educational gap year programs for youth and adults alike. Many Outward Bound gap year programs are available within the United States, Central, and South America. They aim to successfully prepare students to confront their current personal and social challenges while building their self-confidence and compassion for future success.How Morgan Guidance Can Help
If taking a gap year sounds like it could benefit your child, Morgan Guidance is here to help. Together we’ll identify your child’s strengths, challenges, and future goals and use them to narrow down the best gap year programs or therapeutic and educational planning services to help them find future success.
Contact Elaine at Morgan Guidance today to discover the difference our educational planning services can make in your child’s life!
