<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I'm considering doing a gap year but the problem is that I'm only 15 (I turn 16 in the fall). I graduated high school, I'm finishing up my first year of college, and I've discovered that going to college this early isn't for me. </p>
<p>I can still get some jobs and once I turn 16, there will be more available jobs for me to have. A lot of people travel during their gap year but I don't think thats possible for me considering my age. (Though if my parents let me, I want to be a foreign exchange student for the year after next) </p>
<p>So, I have my list of things I can do but I'm afraid it won't be structured enough, that something might not pull through (like getting a job), or that when I apply to colleges again they'll look at it as a year "off" (which isn't true of course. I plan on volunteering, taking one or two classes that I'm interested in at the community college, writing a book, etc)</p>
<p>Does anyone know any programs/ideas that I could do where age wouldn't be problem?</p>
<p>Is it possible to ask your current college for a gap year? Many schools will hold students’ places for them if they decide to take a gap year.</p>
<p>WOOFING is something I’ve always wanted to do. You work on an organic farm (could be in your country, or someplace more exotic like India or Costa Rica or Switzerland or whatever) and your host family provides housing and food. It might be hard to find a family willing to take you in, considering your age, but it might be worth a try. [WWOOF[/url</a>]</p>
<p>If your family can afford it, there are tons of outdoors and traveling programs for teens and they are definitely very structured. People come back with completely changed outlooks, so I’d guess that they’re worth the money.
[url=<a href=“http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/]The”>http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/]The</a> Road Less Traveled - Wilderness Expeditions for Teens, Teen Community Service Abroad, Adventure Summer Camps, Outdoor Adventure Travel for Teens, Teen Community Service Opportunities-The Road Less Traveled](<a href=“http://www.wwoof.org%5DWWOOF%5B/url”>http://www.wwoof.org)
[Outward</a> Bound](<a href=“http://www.outwardbound.org/]Outward”>http://www.outwardbound.org/)
[People</a> To People](<a href=“http://www.peopletopeople.com/]People”>http://www.peopletopeople.com/)</p>
<p>If none of this works, your gap year plans look legit. Getting a job is definitely a worthy use of time off from college, though unless you follow through with all your other plans, you should try to make it a full-time job in order to make the most of your year. One last though–Do you have a relative living in another state, whom you could live with for a couple of months? That could be an interesting experience, and maybe you could get a job while you’re living there.</p>