<p>I am a senior in high school this year and was considering a gap year in a foreign country before college. In order to do a gap year, do I have to be accepted to college... or can i just apply again the next year? How could I go about setting this up (going international to do volunteer work)? Are there any good programs or organizations that do international volunteer work? Would they take me?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Recent posts by you have included inquiries about the National Guard and Navy. What's your reason for wanting to take a gap year?</p>
<p>If you take a gap year, it's usually easier to apply to college during your senior year, and then request a gap year from the college that you accept. Most colleges -- particularly private ones -- will grant gap years.</p>
<p>As for gap years involving volunteering in foreign countries, you can find such programs by Googling. Be aware, though, that such programs usually cost YOU lots of money. </p>
<p>If you want an interesting gap year in which you get paid while volunteering, consider doing a gap year in the U.S. with Americorps. You get a stipend of about $180 a week plus at the end of your year, you get $4,700 to use for college. Some colleges will match Americorps awards, too. Google to find out more info. Also check CC's archives as I've made several posts describing my son's good gap year experience with Americorps.</p>
<p>bump........</p>
<p>bump 10 char</p>
<p>I think the Americorp is a two year commitment? I'm not sure.</p>
<p>The gap year sounds amazing. National Geographic has some really great expeditions and I've seen a few programs that let you build a whole year week by week.</p>
<p>Everyone I have asked suggests applying to college during senior year, but I imagine that doesn't apply for public universities if you are thinking of going in that direction.</p>
<p>Generally, it is easier if you apply to colleges before taking your gap year, so that you don't have to worry about that during your year abroad. Most colleges are very open to students taking gap years, and will allow you to defer your enrollment until the following year. You will probably be asked to give them an outline of what you are going to do so that they can approve it. </p>
<p>If you decide not to apply to colleges this year, however, you must be very organized when you actually do get around to it. Give all your teachers the recommendation forms and everything very early in the fall; since you will no longer be a student at the high school, you will be asking a very big favor of them. Try to complete as much of the application(s) as possible BEFORE you leave on your great adventure, especially if you don't plan on returning for an extended period of time in December. </p>
<p>There are many great options for volunteer work abroad. If you have the money, and feel that you need someone to help you plan out and make the most of your gap year, and there are advisors who can be hired for a fee. Check out Interim Programs (interimprograms.com) and Taking Off (takingoff.net). Both of the directors of these consulting services are very experienced and have a lot of knowledge about the kinds of programs that are out there. They also know many of the people that run the programs personally, and have other contacts, such as other students who have previously taken part whatever program you're interested in, who can share personal experiences. </p>
<p>You can also find programs without the help of a gap year advisor; you just have to do a little more work to sift through the many, many programs that are out there. You mentioned that you wondered if the programs would "take care" of you. That is absolutely something you need to look into when researching a program, especially if this will be your first time abroad on your own. Most programs are group programs, meaning that you will be part of a small group working in whatever country and whichever field you choose. Programs with a strong group dynamic are especially good for the first half of your gap year, because you have a good support system as you ease yourself into this year abroad, far away from your family (and often without easy access to internet or telephone). Try to contact people who have participated in the program before, because they will be your best sources of information on how well-organized the program is, and what day-to-day life is like. A poorly-organized program with little support from the program staff would be an absolute nightmare, especially in a foreign country where you are not well-versed in the language. </p>
<p>I am currently the in the middle of a gap year abroad, and am having the time of my life. I was in Costa Rica for three months this past fall, will spend two months in Argentina (I leave in February), and then will head off to Spain in April for five weeks before backpacking my way to Paris at the end of May. I have absolutely no regrets about my gap year; in fact, I consider it the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am one of those people who applied to college during my year abroad, but so far so good. PM me if you would like to know about the program I participated in or have yet to take part in, or if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I forgot to add that a gap year can be pretty pricey, depending on what you want to do. Anything abroad is going to cost a bit, though, since you have all those plane tickets to buy. There are a lot of programs that are very reasonably priced, but those plane tickets...they'll get you.</p>