Gap Year Ideas - between fr & so years

[Anonymous]

Any ideas for gap year? Between freshmen and sophomore years.

Current university isn't a great fit, but kid is doing extremely well academically; social sciences major. Considering transferring afterwards.

Bilingual Spanish/English and has grown up in a variety of cultures.

We do NOT want a paid-program for a variety of reasons unless there is a very compelling reason to do so (both parents work in public service and are wary of pay-to-volunteer models).

Nannying? City Year?

[Anonymous]

PS- we are also aware that many deadlines for programmes have passed but are seeking for the fall, not the following year

[Anonymous]

Use the resources of the current college career services and see if they have anything for internships.

If you are in the DC area - I know some non-profits have internships (I think I recently saw Wider Circle and SOME)

[Anonymous]

Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

WWOOF?

[Anonymous]

Go to Washington DC and volunteer for a Congressperson or a non-profit of interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WWOOF?

NP. https://wwoof.net/

[Anonymous]

Is it possible for the student to be a guest student at a school of high interest for transferring?

Like take 1-2 classes and intern?

[Anonymous]

I got a job for 6 months and traveled for 6 months.

[Anonymous]

I’d encourage them to stay and continue. I can’t see how this will help their career.

[Anonymous]

I would see if there's a way she can study abroad for a semester and then work. A min wage job is an education in itself and I think looks great on a resume. Really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage them to stay and continue. I can’t see how this will help their career.

It will have zero impact on a career, and could possibly help if they secure some job related to a future career.

No employer cares if you switched colleges.

[Anonymous]

My kid built her own pretty great gap year doing a combo of paid work at home and then unpaid live/work exchange with WWOOF and Workaway ( like WWOOF but not exclusively agriculture). It was inexpensive, she figured it out herself, and had some great experiences

[Anonymous]

Look into teaching assistant or paraprofessional - it's a real-deal job with a full school year commitment, but can be really good for the right kid. (Which, if nannying is on the table, your kid might be.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look into teaching assistant or paraprofessional - it's a real-deal job with a full school year commitment, but can be really good for the right kid. (Which, if nannying is on the table, your kid might be.)

Good advice. She will learn SO much.