Gap Year Radio

Epizode

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  The Scenic Route: Jackson’s Growth Year Through Work, Reflection and Adventure 25.05.2026 33min

  Jackson Balin joins me from Queenstown, New Zealand to reflect on what he calls his “growth year." After realizing during his first year of university that he wanted more time for exploration, challenge, and perspective, Jackson stepped away from the conventional timeline and spent the year working in Tennessee and New Zealand through destination work experiences through Adventure EXP. We talk about culture shock, difficult friendships, resilience, meaningful work, and the surprising ways that service jobs and travel can shape a young adult’s understanding of purpose and identity. Jackson also shares how this year helped him reconnect with his love of learning and clarify his next step academically, while still embracing what he calls “the scenic route” through life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Jackson’s concept of a “growth year” and why he believes the phrase fits better than “gap year” What it felt like to leave university after realizing he was disconnected from his path The reality of working destination jobs in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Queenstown, New Zealand How work experiences can build resilience, empathy, and interpersonal awareness Why challenging experiences often become the most transformative parts of a gap year Thoughts on work, dignity, and learning from people with vastly different backgrounds How travel and work abroad helped Jackson gain clarity about returning to school Why he believes students should actively seek experiences that challenge them Advice for students considering destination work programs or a nontraditional path Resources and Links Mentioned: Adventure EXP University of Austin (UATX) Robert Putnam’s book Bowling Alone Trevor Noah's podcast interview with Robert Putnam Julia's gap year counseling: EnRoute Consulting - get info at enroutegapyear.com More episodes and resources at gapyearradiopodcast.com
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  Workaway 'Round the World: Ellie on How to Travel Through Work Exchanges 11.05.2026 37min

  Ellie Larkins joins the show to break down how work exchanges can become a powerful gateway into long-term travel, meaningful cultural immersion, and real-world skill building. What began as a short trip after university quickly evolved into years of global travel fueled by Workaway experiences across Europe and Australia. In this conversation, Ellie shares practical strategies for finding great hosts, avoiding common pitfalls, and using work exchanges to travel more deeply, build community, and create unexpected career pathways. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Ellie walks through how to get started with work exchange platforms like Workaway and why this style of travel creates a more meaningful and affordable experience than traditional trips. She shares how to evaluate host profiles, including what signals a high-quality opportunity and how to spot red flags early. We also get into the application process, including how to write outreach messages that stand out and why asking more questions, not fewer, leads to better experiences. Ellie explains how to balance independence with connection while traveling solo, and how hostels and shared work exchanges naturally create community. She also reflects on the unexpected skills she gained, from hands-on animal care to navigating new environments, and how those experiences ultimately led to a paid role working in animal sanctuaries. Finally, she offers grounded advice on staying flexible, packing light, and embracing spontaneity without losing your footing. What Even is "Work Exchange"? Work exchanges are a form of low-cost, immersive travel where participants contribute a few hours of help each day in exchange for accommodation, meals, mentorship, or cultural immersion. Through platforms like Workaway, Worldpackers, and WWOOF, travelers can connect with hosts around the world offering opportunities ranging from hostel support and childcare to farming, conservation work, language exchange, creative projects, and tourism support. Rather than traveling as a tourist, participants become part of a local household, business, or community for a period of time, often gaining confidence, practical skills, cross-cultural communication experience, and a deeper understanding of daily life in another place. Resources and Links Mentioned: Workaway (primary platform discussed) WWOOF, Worldpackers, HelpX (additional work exchange platforms) Hostelworld or similar platforms for finding affordable but also social accommodation Connect with Us: Listen to Gap Year Radio wherever you get your podcasts More episodes and info: gapyearradiopodcast.com
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  Full Throttle Gap Year: Eduardo on Balancing Focus and Exploration While Racing Cars, Flying Drones & Saving Sea Turtles 28.04.2026 33min

  Eduardo Glenn shares how he used his gap year as a focused and intentional bridge between high school in Costa Rica and college in the United States. Centered around a deep commitment to competitive racing, his gap year became an opportunity to pursue a long-standing goal of winning a national championship, while also exploring professional interests through a VaCorps internship in South Africa and engaging in conservation work at home. This episode highlights what it looks like to design a gap year around a clear purpose while still leaving room for growth, independence, and exploration. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: This conversation explores how having a clear anchor or goal can shape a meaningful gap year, and why structure matters even when your time is flexible. Eduardo shares how racing helped him build emotional resilience and mental discipline, and how those skills translated into real life and college. We talk about the value of independence, from living abroad to learning basic life skills like cooking and navigating a new environment. There’s also a powerful discussion around solitude versus loneliness, and how learning to enjoy your own company can fundamentally shift your college experience. Eduardo also reflects on why he felt more prepared for college after his gap year and how international experiences helped build confidence in cross-cultural communication. Resources and Links Mentioned: VACorps Internship Program Cloudline (engineering internship experience) Cirenas Costa Rica (sea turtle conservation program) Jorge Solano, Global Mentors (Eduardo's gap year counselor)
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  How to Take an Adult Gap Year: Suzanne's Life-Redefining Move to Oaxaca with Her Family 13.04.2026 44min

  Suzanne Roske, founder of Vamos Coaching and Gap Year Association Board member, shares her journey from a 25-year corporate career to moving her family to Oaxaca, Mexico for a life-changing sabbatical. What began as burnout and a quiet inner voice turned into a bold experiment in slowing down, redefining success, and building a more intentional life. This conversation explores what an “adult gap year” can look like, and why creating space to pause might be the most powerful step toward meaningful change. Resources and Links Mentioned: Suzanne's company Vamos Coaching Suzanne's Memoir: I'm Supposed to Be Doing This Envia (microfinance + cultural immersion in Oaxaca) Designing Your Life (Stanford Life Design Lab) Oaxaca Lending Library Connect with Julia & Gap Year Radio: Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio Email your gap year questions or comments at [email protected] Want to work with Jula on you gap year planning? Visit enroutegapyear.com to learn all about how gap year counseling can help you plan a great year! 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/
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  A Journey to Self-Mastery: Luke's Gap Year in South Africa with Warriors Academy 30.03.2026 30min

  Luke Morton shares how a planned nine-week gap experience with Warriors Academy in South Africa turned into a two-year journey of personal growth, global connection, and skill-building. From an early experience in self-mastery that reshaped his mindset, to a second year earning 19 certifications as a multi-activity instructor, Luke walks us through how stepping away from the traditional path helped him find clarity, confidence, and direction. Now, he’s preparing for his next challenge: a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Resources and Mentioned: Warriors Academy Appalachian Trail (Luke’s upcoming thru-hike) Connect with Us: Listen to Gap Year Radio wherever you get your podcasts More episodes and info: gapyearradiopodcast.com
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  From the Rockies to the Himalaya: Sammie’s Wilderness Medicine Semester with Aerie 16.03.2026 34min

  In this episode of Gap Year Radio, I speak with Sammie Westfahl about her experience in Aerie Backcountry Medicine’s Fall Semester in Wilderness Medicine, an immersive program that blends emergency medicine training, rescue skills, wildland fire operations, and international expedition travel. Sammie shares how this sequence of certifications, field training, and international immersion challenged her academically, strengthened her confidence, and continues to influence her work today in fire ecology and volunteer EMS. Certifications and Skills Covered in the Semester -National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) -Wilderness EMT (WEMT) -Wildland Fire Line Qualification (Red Card) -High-Angle Rope Rescue Training -Expedition leadership and backcountry risk management -Clinical observation in international healthcare settings Aerie Backcountry Medicine https://www.aeriemedicine.com Connect with Us - Listen to Gap Year Radio wherever you get your podcasts or at gapyearradiopodcast.com - Contact Julia for help with gap year planning at enroutegapyear.com
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  Rich in Experience: Adam Salzman on How to Build Your Gap Year Budgeting Skills 02.03.2026 44min

  In Episode 2 of Season 10, I sit down with Adam Salzman, founder of AdventureEXP and author of The Suitcase of Life, for a practical conversation about personal finance on a gap year. We unpack why budgeting is really a “priorities list,” how students can build financial confidence through real-world decisions, and how destination work experiences can help young adults earn money while they travel. Adam shares mindset shifts, tools, and systems that make budgeting less intimidating, plus advice for parents who want to support learning without rescuing every mistake. Resources and Links Mentioned: AdventureEXP: adventureexp.com Numbeo: cost-of-living comparisons (numbeo.com) Rome2rio: route planning (rome2rio.com) Nomadic Matt: country budget guides (nomadicmatt.com) Adam’s book: The Suitcase of Life: A Field Guide for Young Travelers, Thinkers and Doers Figuring It Out as They Go Connect with Us: Listen to Gap Year Radio wherever you get your podcasts More episodes and info: gapyearradiopodcast.com Share and follow along: #explorethegapyear
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  Around the World at 18: Arjun's Self-Funded, Solo Gap Year to 100 Countries 16.02.2026 53min

  In this Season 10 opener, I sit down with Arjun Malaviya, who began solo traveling on his 17th birthday and visited 100 countries in 13 months. We dig into how his parents’ “experiences over stuff” mindset shaped his love of travel, and how he built a rhythm for constant movement with flexible planning and a strong bias toward local connection. Arjun shares practical tools (Rome2Rio, Google Translate, GuruWalk, Facebook travel groups), his budget strategy for making $22K stretch across the globe, and the real safety calculations behind trusting strangers. We also talk about the harder moments, including a kidnapping experience in Myanmar, and what he learned about risk, perspective, and resilience. The episode lands on the bigger why: travel as a pathway to global citizenship, confidence, and the ability to connect with anyone, anywhere. Connect with Julia & Gap Year Radio: Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio Email your gap year questions or comments at [email protected] Want to work with Jula on you gap year planning? Visit enroutegapyear.com to learn all about how gap year counseling can help you plan a great year! 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/
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  Aupair Life in Italy: Nancy's Gap Year as a Nanny in Palermo 28.05.2025 28min

  Nancy hit pause on her engineering degree and found herself living solo in Palermo, Italy, caring for two kids and soaking in the rich, sensory experience of Sicilian life. In this episode, she shares what it’s really like to be an au pair abroad - from daily routines and bonding with her host family to solo adventures and personal reflection. She also discusses the process of finding a placement through Scotia Personnel, a Canadian agency that helps young people find vetted international opportunities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Nancy found her au pair placement through a structured agency What daily life is like working with a host family in Palermo The joys of unstructured time, solo exploration, and personal growth Why a slower pace and cultural immersion can shift your mindset in powerful ways Honest advice for anyone considering working as an au pair Resources and Links Mentioned: Learn more about au pair placements through Scotia Personnel: https://www.scotia-personnel-ltd.com/ Want to plan your own intentional gap year? Visit enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us: 🎧 Listen to more episodes: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Questions or comments? Email us: [email protected] 💬 Leave us a review to help more gap year curious folks discover the show!
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  Cultivating Creativity – Dillon's Gap Year Exploring Art, Place and Presence 14.05.2025 25min

  In this episode of Gap Year Radio, Julia talks with Dillon Sheekey, an alum who used his gap year to reconnect with his creativity and develop a deeper sense of presence and purpose. Through three distinct experiences: a semester in the Southwest with ARCC Programs, an immersive art residency at Cow House Studios in Ireland, and a summer job on Nantucket. Dillon explored what it means to live intentionally and grow as both an artist and a human being. He shares how spending time in nature, disconnecting from technology, and living in a small creative community helped him understand himself in new ways. If you're interested in using a gap year to explore your artistic side, connect with nature, or simply slow down and reflect, this is the episode for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🎨 Why Dillon wanted to prioritize art and creative expression on his gap year 🌵 How his time in the Southwest with ARCC helped him disconnect from tech and reconnect with the natural world 🖼️ What it’s like to live and create at Cow House Studios in rural Ireland 📷 How darkroom photography and stop-motion film became new creative outlets 🧭 What Dillon learned about presence, purpose, and redefining education outside the classroom 🌍 Why the people and places you surround yourself with matter when you’re shaping your path Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 Cow House Studios A residential arts program in Wexford, Ireland cowhousestudios.com | @cowhousestudios on socials 📌 ARCC Gap Year Programs Outdoor, service-learning, and cultural immersion programs arccprograms.com | @arcgap on socials 📌 EnRoute Consulting Gap year counseling and planning support enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us 🎧 More episodes at gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email your questions or comments: [email protected] ⭐ Leave a review so others can discover Gap Year Radio
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  Frequently Wondered Questions FWQ – Why Should I Take a Gap Year? 30.04.2025 10min

  Welcome back to another installment of our Frequently Wondered Questions series, where we answer some of the most common questions about gap years. Today, we're tackling one of the biggest ones: “Why should I take a gap year?” But instead of hearing the answer from me, we’re handing the mic to the people who know best: gap year alumni. In this episode, you’ll hear from Aliza, Marco, Journey, Katarina, Andrew, and Luke-all sharing what they would say to someone considering taking a gap year. These are real students who’ve hit pause, taken the leap, and gained perspective-whether they traveled, worked, volunteered, or just took time to grow. Their voices are a powerful reminder that there’s no one way to take a gap year, but plenty of reasons why you should. If you’re a graduating senior wondering if now is the right time to do something different, this one’s for you. Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 EnRoute Consulting: Need help planning your own gap year? Learn more about working with Julia: enroutegapyear.com 📌 Featured Guests’ Episodes: Catch the full stories of this episode’s alumni guests in our past interviews: Aliza: Season 7, Episode 2 Marco: Season 3, Episode 5 Journey: Season 8, Episode 6 Katarina: Season 9, Episode 7 Andrew: Season 4, Episode 2 Luke: Season 7, Episode 4 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 to: [email protected] ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review—it helps more people discover Gap Year Radio!
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  A Purposeful Pause: Connor’s Internship Experience in Boston 16.04.2025 24min

  Not every gap year takes place before college - and not every gap experience involves travel. In this episode of Gap Year Radio, we explore what it looks like to bring intentionality into a mid-college gap year, through the lens of Connor’s experience with the College for Social Innovation’s Gap Semester in the City. Like many students, Connor’s college journey hasn’t been a straight line. After stepping away from his four-year degree, his break left him feeling aimless after a while. He knew he needed something different - something more intentional. A friend led him to the College for Social Innovation’s Semester in the City, where he spent a semester living, interning, and learning in Boston. In this conversation, Connor shares how this experience helped him reconnect with his values, gain confidence, and envision new possibilities for his academic and career journey. From learning how to navigate a new city to developing a deeper understanding of social impact work, Connor’s story is a powerful reminder that growth happens when we step outside of the expected path. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🧭 Why Connor hit pause on college to gain clarity and direction 🏙️ What it’s like to live and work in Boston through the College for Social Innovation 💼 How his internship with Boston Cares helped him build confidence and professional skills 🤝 The importance of community, mentorship, and values-driven learning 🧠 How a gap semester helped Connor reflect, recharge, and reimagine his next steps Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 College for Social Innovation – Gap Semester in the City 📌 EnRoute Consulting: Need guidance designing a purposeful gap year or semester? Connect with Julia at enroutegapyear.com 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 to: [email protected] ⭐ If you have a moment, please leave us a review—so more people can discover Gap Year Radio! 🎶Thank you to Kevin Macleod for the use of Quasi Motion in our intro and outro music :Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
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  Frequently Wondered Questions FWQ: How Do I Budget for My Gap Year? 03.04.2025 16min

  In this episode of Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers dives into the essential topic of budgeting for your gap year. From understanding what your gap year expenses might look like to exploring creative ways to fund your adventure, Julia provides actionable advice for planning a gap year on a budget. Whether you're looking to save, earn, or find funding options like scholarships and grants, this episode covers it all. Tune in for tips on how to manage your finances so you can enjoy a fulfilling gap year without breaking the bank. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: -Understanding your gap year expenses -Ways to save and earn money for your gap year -Tips for low-cost and free gap year experiences -How to approach funding your gap year with a strategic mindset Resources: Gap Year Association - Find scholarships, programs, and funding opportunities: gapyearassociation.org Gap Year Association page on Financial Aid and Scholarships - Check out their list at Gapyearassociation.org Budgeting Apps: Use tools like Mint, YNAB (You Need a Budget), or PocketGuard to track your spending. 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: [email protected] ✍️ Leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!
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  Duke’s Gap Year Program in Action: Katarina’s Adventures from Moldova to Mount Kilimanjaro 19.03.2025 38min

  It’s college decision season! If you’re considering a gap year but wondering how to fund it—or if colleges even support it—this episode is for you. Duke University is one of the few schools in the U.S. that doesn’t just allow students to take a gap year—it actually funds them. Today, we’re diving into a firsthand account of what it’s like to participate in the Duke Gap Year Program, one of the most innovative university-supported gap year initiatives in the country. My guest, Katarina, was accepted to Duke but decided to take advantage of the school’s gap year funding to design her own unique experience. What followed was a year of pivots, problem-solving, and unforgettable learning. With Duke’s support, she: - Backpacked through 15 countries - Interned at the National Bank of Moldova (yes, she landed that job through a cold email!) - Summited Mount Kilimanjaro on a last-minute adventure - Built a global network of friends and mentors—all by staying flexible and open to change In this episode, we’ll break down how the Duke Gap Year Program gave her the freedom to plan a meaningful year, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she leveraged creativity and adaptability to make it all happen. If you’re curious about how to balance structure and flexibility in your gap year, or want to hear how Duke is leading the way in making gap years more accessible - this is the episode for you! What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🎒 How Duke’s Gap Year Program works & what it provides for students 🌍 How Katarina adapted when her original plans fell through ✈️ The reality of planning a last-minute, multi-country backpacking trip 📩 How she landed an internship at the National Bank of Moldova—by sending a cold email 🏔️ Why she said YES to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (even though it terrified her) 🤝 How she built a global network of friends & travel buddies along the way 💡 Her advice for anyone considering a gap year but unsure where to start Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 Duke Gap Year Program – Learn more about how Duke supports and funds gap years: dukegapyear.duke.edu 📌 Eurail Pass – The train pass Katarina used for her 3-month backpacking trip: eurail.com 📌 Hostelworld – The go-to site for booking hostels: hostelworld.com 📌 Gap Year Planning Help – Need guidance in structuring your gap year? Work with Julia at EnRouteGapYear.com 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: [email protected] ⭐ If you have a moment, please leave a review—it helps more people discover Gap Year Radio!
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  Frequently Wondered Questions FWQ: Making the Most of Unstructured Time on Your Gap Year 05.03.2025 20min

  In this installment of Frequently Wondered Questions on Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers discusses how to effectively utilize unstructured time during a gap year. From short periods of downtime to longer stretches at your disposal, Julia offers practical advice on using this time to develop new skills, rest, and even earn money. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, setting goals, and staying organized with time-blocking techniques. Additionally, Julia introduces the 'three P's' – people, place, and purpose – as key factors in creating a meaningful and fulfilling unstructured portion of your gap year experience. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Gap Year Radio 00:15 Understanding Unstructured Time 02:58 Strategies for Short Unstructured Periods 05:50 Managing Longer Unstructured Periods 06:16 The Three P's: People, Place, and Purpose 11:06 Practical Tips for Structuring Your Time 18:58 Concluding Thoughts and Resources Resources: Gap Year Webinar March 13: Register at enroutegapyear.com Gap Year Parent Webinar Series: Register Here: enroutegapyear.com/parents Bliss bean on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBlissBean EnRoute Consulting: Julia's gap year counseling service- if you are interested in working together, get in touch at enroutegapyear.com 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 [email protected] ✍️If you have a moment, please leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!
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  Mindfulness, Music & Monasteries: Getting Zen with Ben 19.02.2025 39min

  In this episode of Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers speaks with Ben, a gap year alum who integrated mindfulness practices into his varied experiences. Ben recounts his journey, highlighting his residency at Zen monasteries in the US and Japan, a farm stay in Costa Rica, and learning audio engineering. He shares insights into how these experiences enhanced his personal growth, creativity, and approach to college. Listen to Ben's wisdom for advice on incorporating mindfulness into gap years and balancing diverse interests with intentionality and community support. Resources: Dharma Gates: Resource for finding meditation retreats: https://www.dharma-gates.org/ The Rec W: Audio Engineering program Zen Mountain Monastery, New York: https://zmm.org/ EnRoute Consulting: Julia's gap year counseling service- if you are interested in working together, get in touch at enroutegapyear.com 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 [email protected] ✍️If you have a moment, please leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!
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  Frequently Wondered Questions: FWQ: Who Takes a Gap Year? 06.02.2025 19min

  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: [email protected]
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  Abby & Elena: Student and Parent Perspectives on Gapping 28.01.2025 39min

  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 [email protected] ✍️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/
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  Welcome to Season 9: Looking Back, Looking Forward 10.01.2025 25min

  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 [email protected] 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!
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  Ep. 809 Mindful Volunteering Part II: Student Voices 11.12.2023 36min

  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.