According to Wikipedia, "The term gap year is a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between a student's completion of secondary school and matriculation in college or university," between college and graduate school, or between college and a profession. "It is generally a practice undertaken by young people from anglophone nations."
Gayle Jo Carter in a ParentSmart column (USA WEEKEND, December 22-24, 2006, page 5) indicates seven websites to help explore the gap year:
GLOBAL QUEST is a non-profit, experimential study abroad program for high school seniors and students seeking a meaningful learning experience between high school and college. Global Quest adds that twelve-week academic semesters are offered each fall and spring in Thailand and Ecuador/Galapagos and can be combined for a full year of study. Students study language, history, culture, and the environment through hands-on experiences that include field work and expeditions, homestay, internships, and service work. Nomadic in nature, these programs provide the opportunity for students to live in each of the primary regions of the host country in order to understand the country as an authentic whole.
AMERICORPS "is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country's critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve with more than 2,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations. Since 1994, more than 400,000 men and women have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation through their AmeriCorps service. AmeriCorps opens the door for citizens to serve in a variety of ways."
CITY YEAR unites young people of all backgrounds, ages 17-24, for a demanding year of community service and leadership development in 16 U.S communities and Johannesburg, South Africa.
TRANSITION ABROAD claims to provide a selection of essential resources for the person who wants to travel, really travel, without being a tourist. This site provides numerous links to information about Work Abroad, Study Abroad, Travel Abroad, and Living Abroad.
THE CENTER FOR NTERIM PROGRAMS is a consulting service that claims to help young people find meaningful gap year placements.
DYNAMY "is a not-for-profit experiential educational organization founded in 1969. We are the oldest and only residential internship program in the country. Our mission is to offer young people, ages 17-22, a "gap year" opportunity like no other."
WHERE YOU HEADED "is designed to serve students and their families who are looking for information and advice about the passage through high school and college - and all the twists and turns in between."
