<p>I am thinking about doing a gap year to Israel. Has anyone at Johns Hopkins done a gap year before attending? What was your experiences? Do you recommend it? How did the deferment work? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
~rjherman</p>
<p>My son graduated Hopkins in 2003. He did a gap year in Israel before matriculating–Young Judaea Year Course. He loved it and it was very beneficial (from a parent’s point of view). He became fluent in Hebrew, which freed up his time at Hopkins to study Arabic for three years. Living and working in a foreign culture (or at least somewhat foreign) vastly improved his maturity, independence and self confidence. Academically, it wasn’t too challenging and Hopkins would not accept any of the credits—but he still has a transcript from the American Jewish University (who, at least then was the academic sponsor) showing a 4.0–which probably didn’t hurt when he was applying to graduate school. He made many good friends, and he still is in contact with many of his Year Course compatriots. One of his good friends from the program also started Hopkins as the same time as my son–and the friend made Alliah after graduating. </p>
<p>My son would say it was a very worthwhile experience and that he would make the same decision if he could do it over again. </p>
<p>A cautionary note. I only know what I’ve been reading in the newspapers but I know that Young Judaea has been having some financial problems and staff turmoil, and that the Year Course program is vastly larger and quite different than when my son attended. Do some due diligence if it is one of the programs you are looking at.</p>
<p>Gap years can provide a unique opportunity that you wouldn’t get elsewhere. It’s definitely worth considering if you have a specific thing planned. If you just plan to hang out for a year - I wouldn’t recommend it.</p>