High School Junior, Interested in International Relations, Wants Gap Year Advice

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi all. I’m a high school junior with an interest in International Relations. I’m an A/A+ student with a demanding course load. I love languages; I’m almost fluent in French and am studying Arabic and Spanish this year. My first try at SATs was 2180. Currently, I’m a semi-finalist for next summer's NSLI-Y program for Arabic.</p>

<p>Last summer, I did the Tufts IR program in France which is a month-long homestay accompanied by classes. I’ve spent about two months in England, nannying for cousins, and I’ve been to Greece, Bali, and Costa Rica as well.</p>

<p>In terms of college, I’m focusing on eastern city schools (I’ll probably apply early decision to Columbia). I’m thinking of taking a gap year after high school and am looking for recommendations. I’m not doing it as an opportunity to reapply to schools (I’ll apply senior year then defer), but instead as an opportunity to experience different cultures. </p>

<p>I definitely want travel to be part of my gap year experience (primarily Europe—Western and/or Eastern—and the Middle East, but I’m open to wherever). I would be fine either staying in one area or spending the year travelling to different countries/regions. I’m very open to working during my gap year as long as it’s abroad, either as a volunteer or in a job. I would prefer to improve a language I’m learning--Arabic, French, or Spanish—than to start a new one, but I’m fine with either.</p>

<p>A couple of caveats I should mention. First, I’ll only be 17 when my gap year begins (I’ll turn 18 in December 2014), and a lot of programs require participants to be 18. Also, my family depends on financial aid and cannot afford to send me on a program that would cost the equivalent of an extra year of college, so any expensive program is out. </p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>How about YES Abroad or CBYX (both are free).</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much for the recommendations! The YES Abroad program sounds amazing.</p>

4

<p>What about doing the year long NISLY program??</p>

5

<p>Gap years are very common in the UK, so you will find lots of resources on UK- based websites. </p>

<p>If you want to work for bed and board, check out [Help</a> Exchange: free volunteer work exchange abroad Australia New Zealand Canada Europe](<a href=“http://www.helpx.net%5DHelp”>http://www.helpx.net) and <a href=“http://www.workaway%5B/url%5D”>www.workaway</a></p>

6

<p>Gap years are very common in the UK, so you will find lots of resources on UK- based websites. </p>

<p>If you want to work for bed and board, check out [Help</a> Exchange: free volunteer work exchange abroad Australia New Zealand Canada Europe](<a href=“http://www.helpx.net%5DHelp”>http://www.helpx.net) and [Workaway.info</a> the site for free work exchange. Gap year volunteer for food and accommodation whilst travelling abroad.](<a href=“http://www.workaway.info%5DWorkaway.info”>http://www.workaway.info) and WWOOF. Of course, you will need to check out visa restrictions - some allow volunteering, others don’t. Some language summer camps recruit Americans (TASIS springs to mind) to act as native English speakers. </p>

<p>You should also have a look at which countries offer working holiday visas to US citizens. </p>

<p>With regards to money, the normal pattern is to work for the first half of your gap year, and then go travelling. My parents didn’t fund my gap year at all - I did.</p>

7

<p>YES Abroad is much less competitive and academic than NSLIY. Also, there are some Arabic speaking countries. It is an extraordinary opportunity. It’s not too late to apply for this year. :)</p>

8

<p>From what I can tell, one main thing that separates the international relations grads who get a job in their field from the ones who don’t is the language ability…especially knowing a language really well. So I’d stay out of the English-speaking countries, and focus on those that will force you to make big strides towards fluency in one of the foreign languages you’re already familiar with.</p>

9

<p>If you happen to be Jewish, you might be able to get a scholarship to this program:</p>

<p>[KIVUNIM’s</a> HOME PAGE](<a href=“http://www.kivunim.org/KIVUNIM__The_Premier_Gap-Year_Program/KIVUNIMs_HOME_PAGE.html]KIVUNIM’s”>http://www.kivunim.org/KIVUNIM__The_Premier_Gap-Year_Program/KIVUNIMs_HOME_PAGE.html)</p>

<p>The program offers instruction in Hebrew and Arabic (for credit) and travels around quite a bit–not just Israel.

</p>

10

<p>Some scholarship money is available for [Youth</a> for Understanding](<a href=“http://www.yfu.org%5DYouth”>http://www.yfu.org) and [AFS</a> Intercultural Programs](<a href=“http://www.afs.org%5DAFS”>http://www.afs.org) you could also check out [Rotary.org:</a> Rotary Youth Exchange - About Youth Exchange<br>](<a href=“http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/YouthPrograms/RotaryYouthExchange/Pages/ridefault.aspx]Rotary.org:”>http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/YouthPrograms/RotaryYouthExchange/Pages/ridefault.aspx)</p>

<p>These three organizations have options for students who aren’t 18 yet.</p>