Gap Year Radio

Nancy hit pause on her engineering degree and found herself living solo in Palermo, Italy, caring for two kids and soaking in the rich, sensory experience of Sicilian life. In this episode, she shares what it’s really like to be an au pair abroad - from daily routines and bonding with her host family to solo adventures and personal reflection. She also discusses the process of finding a placement through Scotia Personnel, a Canadian agency that helps young people find vetted international opportunities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Nancy found her au pair placement through a structured agency What daily life is like working with a host family in Palermo The joys of unstructured time, solo exploration, and personal growth Why a slower pace and cultural immersion can shift your mindset in powerful ways Honest advice for anyone considering working as an au pair Resources and Links Mentioned: Learn more about au pair placements through Scotia Personnel: https://www.scotia-personnel-ltd.com/ Want to plan your own intentional gap year? Visit enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us: 🎧 Listen to more episodes: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Questions or comments? Email us: gapyearradio@gmail.com 💬 Leave us a review to help more gap year curious folks discover the show!

In this episode of Gap Year Radio, Julia talks with Dillon Sheekey, an alum who used his gap year to reconnect with his creativity and develop a deeper sense of presence and purpose. Through three distinct experiences: a semester in the Southwest with ARCC Programs, an immersive art residency at Cow House Studios in Ireland, and a summer job on Nantucket. Dillon explored what it means to live intentionally and grow as both an artist and a human being. He shares how spending time in nature, disconnecting from technology, and living in a small creative community helped him understand himself in new ways. If you're interested in using a gap year to explore your artistic side, connect with nature, or simply slow down and reflect, this is the episode for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🎨 Why Dillon wanted to prioritize art and creative expression on his gap year 🌵 How his time in the Southwest with ARCC helped him disconnect from tech and reconnect with the natural world 🖼️ What it’s like to live and create at Cow House Studios in rural Ireland 📷 How darkroom photography and stop-motion film became new creative outlets 🧭 What Dillon learned about presence, purpose, and redefining education outside the classroom 🌍 Why the people and places you surround yourself with matter when you’re shaping your path Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 Cow House Studios A residential arts program in Wexford, Ireland cowhousestudios.com | @cowhousestudios on socials 📌 ARCC Gap Year Programs Outdoor, service-learning, and cultural immersion programs arccprograms.com | @arcgap on socials 📌 EnRoute Consulting Gap year counseling and planning support enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us 🎧 More episodes at gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email your questions or comments: gapyearradio@gmail.com ⭐ Leave a review so others can discover Gap Year Radio

Welcome back to another installment of our Frequently Wondered Questions series, where we answer some of the most common questions about gap years. Today, we're tackling one of the biggest ones: “Why should I take a gap year?” But instead of hearing the answer from me, we’re handing the mic to the people who know best: gap year alumni. In this episode, you’ll hear from Aliza, Marco, Journey, Katarina, Andrew, and Luke-all sharing what they would say to someone considering taking a gap year. These are real students who’ve hit pause, taken the leap, and gained perspective-whether they traveled, worked, volunteered, or just took time to grow. Their voices are a powerful reminder that there’s no one way to take a gap year, but plenty of reasons why you should. If you’re a graduating senior wondering if now is the right time to do something different, this one’s for you. Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 EnRoute Consulting: Need help planning your own gap year? Learn more about working with Julia: enroutegapyear.com 📌 Featured Guests’ Episodes: Catch the full stories of this episode’s alumni guests in our past interviews: Aliza: Season 7, Episode 2 Marco: Season 3, Episode 5 Journey: Season 8, Episode 6 Katarina: Season 9, Episode 7 Andrew: Season 4, Episode 2 Luke: Season 7, Episode 4 Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email your gap year questions or comments to: gapyearradio@gmail.com ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review—it helps more people discover Gap Year Radio!

Not every gap year takes place before college - and not every gap experience involves travel. In this episode of Gap Year Radio, we explore what it looks like to bring intentionality into a mid-college gap year, through the lens of Connor’s experience with the College for Social Innovation’s Gap Semester in the City. Like many students, Connor’s college journey hasn’t been a straight line. After stepping away from his four-year degree, his break left him feeling aimless after a while. He knew he needed something different - something more intentional. A friend led him to the College for Social Innovation’s Semester in the City, where he spent a semester living, interning, and learning in Boston. In this conversation, Connor shares how this experience helped him reconnect with his values, gain confidence, and envision new possibilities for his academic and career journey. From learning how to navigate a new city to developing a deeper understanding of social impact work, Connor’s story is a powerful reminder that growth happens when we step outside of the expected path. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🧭 Why Connor hit pause on college to gain clarity and direction 🏙️ What it’s like to live and work in Boston through the College for Social Innovation 💼 How his internship with Boston Cares helped him build confidence and professional skills 🤝 The importance of community, mentorship, and values-driven learning 🧠 How a gap semester helped Connor reflect, recharge, and reimagine his next steps Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 College for Social Innovation – Gap Semester in the City 📌 EnRoute Consulting: Need guidance designing a purposeful gap year or semester? Connect with Julia at enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email your gap year questions or comments to: gapyearradio@gmail.com ⭐ If you have a moment, please leave us a review—so more people can discover Gap Year Radio! 🎶Thank you to Kevin Macleod for the use of Quasi Motion in our intro and outro music :Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

In this episode of Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers dives into the essential topic of budgeting for your gap year. From understanding what your gap year expenses might look like to exploring creative ways to fund your adventure, Julia provides actionable advice for planning a gap year on a budget. Whether you're looking to save, earn, or find funding options like scholarships and grants, this episode covers it all. Tune in for tips on how to manage your finances so you can enjoy a fulfilling gap year without breaking the bank. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: -Understanding your gap year expenses -Ways to save and earn money for your gap year -Tips for low-cost and free gap year experiences -How to approach funding your gap year with a strategic mindset Resources: Gap Year Association - Find scholarships, programs, and funding opportunities: gapyearassociation.org Gap Year Association page on Financial Aid and Scholarships - Check out their list at Gapyearassociation.org Budgeting Apps: Use tools like Mint, YNAB (You Need a Budget), or PocketGuard to track your spending. Connect with Us: 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 🌍 Email your gap year questions or comments: gapyearradio@gmail.com ✍️ Leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

It’s college decision season! If you’re considering a gap year but wondering how to fund it—or if colleges even support it—this episode is for you. Duke University is one of the few schools in the U.S. that doesn’t just allow students to take a gap year—it actually funds them. Today, we’re diving into a firsthand account of what it’s like to participate in the Duke Gap Year Program, one of the most innovative university-supported gap year initiatives in the country. My guest, Katarina, was accepted to Duke but decided to take advantage of the school’s gap year funding to design her own unique experience. What followed was a year of pivots, problem-solving, and unforgettable learning. With Duke’s support, she: - Backpacked through 15 countries - Interned at the National Bank of Moldova (yes, she landed that job through a cold email!) - Summited Mount Kilimanjaro on a last-minute adventure - Built a global network of friends and mentors—all by staying flexible and open to change In this episode, we’ll break down how the Duke Gap Year Program gave her the freedom to plan a meaningful year, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she leveraged creativity and adaptability to make it all happen. If you’re curious about how to balance structure and flexibility in your gap year, or want to hear how Duke is leading the way in making gap years more accessible - this is the episode for you! What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🎒 How Duke’s Gap Year Program works & what it provides for students 🌍 How Katarina adapted when her original plans fell through ✈️ The reality of planning a last-minute, multi-country backpacking trip 📩 How she landed an internship at the National Bank of Moldova—by sending a cold email 🏔️ Why she said YES to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (even though it terrified her) 🤝 How she built a global network of friends & travel buddies along the way 💡 Her advice for anyone considering a gap year but unsure where to start Resources and Links Mentioned 📌 Duke Gap Year Program – Learn more about how Duke supports and funds gap years: dukegapyear.duke.edu 📌 Eurail Pass – The train pass Katarina used for her 3-month backpacking trip: eurail.com 📌 Hostelworld – The go-to site for booking hostels: hostelworld.com 📌 Gap Year Planning Help – Need guidance in structuring your gap year? Work with Julia at EnRouteGapYear.com Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email your gap year questions or comments at: gapyearradio@gmail.com ⭐ If you have a moment, please leave a review—it helps more people discover Gap Year Radio!

In this installment of Frequently Wondered Questions on Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers discusses how to effectively utilize unstructured time during a gap year. From short periods of downtime to longer stretches at your disposal, Julia offers practical advice on using this time to develop new skills, rest, and even earn money. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, setting goals, and staying organized with time-blocking techniques. Additionally, Julia introduces the 'three P's' – people, place, and purpose – as key factors in creating a meaningful and fulfilling unstructured portion of your gap year experience. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Gap Year Radio 00:15 Understanding Unstructured Time 02:58 Strategies for Short Unstructured Periods 05:50 Managing Longer Unstructured Periods 06:16 The Three P's: People, Place, and Purpose 11:06 Practical Tips for Structuring Your Time 18:58 Concluding Thoughts and Resources Resources: Gap Year Webinar March 13: Register at enroutegapyear.com Gap Year Parent Webinar Series: Register Here: enroutegapyear.com/parents Bliss bean on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBlissBean EnRoute Consulting: Julia's gap year counseling service- if you are interested in working together, get in touch at enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 🌍 Email your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com ✍️If you have a moment, please leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

In this episode of Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers speaks with Ben, a gap year alum who integrated mindfulness practices into his varied experiences. Ben recounts his journey, highlighting his residency at Zen monasteries in the US and Japan, a farm stay in Costa Rica, and learning audio engineering. He shares insights into how these experiences enhanced his personal growth, creativity, and approach to college. Listen to Ben's wisdom for advice on incorporating mindfulness into gap years and balancing diverse interests with intentionality and community support. Resources: Dharma Gates: Resource for finding meditation retreats: https://www.dharma-gates.org/ The Rec W: Audio Engineering program Zen Mountain Monastery, New York: https://zmm.org/ EnRoute Consulting: Julia's gap year counseling service- if you are interested in working together, get in touch at enroutegapyear.com Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 🌍 Email your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com ✍️If you have a moment, please leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

One of the biggest myths about gap years? That they’re only for certain types of students. In this episode, host Julia Rogers breaks down this misconception and explores how gap time can benefit students from all backgrounds and academic paths. From high achievers on the brink of burnout to hands-on learners seeking real-world experience, Julia shares key student profiles that thrive on a gap year, offering insight into why intentional time off can lead to greater success -whether that’s in college, career training, or another post-secondary pathway. If you’ve ever wondered who actually takes a gap year and why, this episode will challenge conventional wisdom's outdated assumptions about life after high school. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: -Why the traditional “straight to college” model doesn’t work for everyone. -Six key student profiles that thrive on a gap year. -How a gap year can make the transition to college easier, not harder. -Why students who take gap time feel more confident and intentional about their next steps. Resources and Links Mentioned: EnRoute Consulting – Learn more about working with Julia as a gap year counselor (enroutegapyear.com). Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio wherever you find your favorite pods 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 📩 Email us your gap year questions: gapyearradio@gmail.com

In this episode of Gap Year Radio, host Julia Rogers chats with Abby, a gap year alum and current aerospace engineering student, and her mom, Elena, about Abby’s incredible year of exploration and growth. From volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand to road-tripping through 10 National Parks, Abby’s experiences shaped her confidence, independence, and readiness for college and beyond. Elena shares her perspective as a supportive parent, offering tips on researching programs, addressing common concerns, and empowering independence. Together, they discuss scaffolding gap year experiences, overcoming challenges, and why a gap year is valuable for all students, including high-achievers who know what's next. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🌍 How Abby’s gap year journey unfolded across Thailand, East Africa, and the U.S. 🌍 Why structured programs like Pacific Discovery and ARCC helped build her confidence for independent travel. 🌍 Elena’s advice for parents: how to research gap year programs and support independence. 🌍 How Abby’s gap year shaped her mindset for college and prepared her for a career in aerospace engineering. 🌍The value of “being bad” at something—and how it fosters resilience and growth. Resources and Links Mentioned Pacific Discovery: Explore immersive adventure and service programs around the world. ARCC Programs: Offering gap year and teen travel programs focused on global education and service. Gap Year Association: Resources for planning a gap year, including fairs, program directories, and alumni support. Connect with Us 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Gap Year Radio: gapyearradiopodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gapyearradio 🌍 Email your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com ✍️If you have a moment, please leave a review so more people can discover Gap Year Radio! 🎶Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/

Welcome back to Gap Year Radio! After a 2024 hiatus, we’re thrilled to kick off Season 9 with a very special episode. Big changes are in the air, and we’re sharing all the updates, memories, and excitement for what’s ahead! ✨ Life Updates Margo tied the knot! Julia welcomed a golden retriever puppy to her family! ✨ Reliving Podcast Memories This episode is bittersweet as we celebrate Margo’s incredible contributions to Gap Year Radio. She’s stepping away from the mic to focus on new adventures, but not before reminiscing about her favorite podcast moments. ✨ Exciting Updates & What’s Next The USA Gap Year Fairs are happening NOW, and we’re talking all things gap year planning! Whether you’re exploring programs, looking for advice, or ready to take the leap, we’ve got you covered. Julia is taking the reins as your solo host, and we can’t wait to share what’s in store for Season 9. Expect inspiring stories, fresh perspectives, and a brand-new short-format series to answer all your FAQs! You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com And lastly you can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio!

This episode we are super excited to welcome two more guests for our Mindful Volunteering Part 2 episode, Emily and Andrei. These two are former students of Claire Bennet from our Mindful Volunteering Part 1 episode and are currently in the midst of their gap year through the Princeton Novogratz Bridge Year Program in Udaipur, India. They spend some time telling us about the Novogratz Program and how their long-term service/work sites have been set up. Additionally, they reflect upon their perspectives on service, both before their gap year as well as how their time in India has changed their perspectives, and they also give some great advice for things that you can do to make a shorter-term service placement effective if you only have a bit of time. If you want to learn more about Princeton Novogratz Bridge Year program you can find them only at oip.princeton.edu/our-programs/novogratz-bridge-year or on Instagram @novogratzbridgeyear.

On this episode of Gap Year Radio we are so excited to welcome Claire Bennet, co-author of the book Learning Service: The Essential Guide to Volunteering Abroad. On this episode, she discusses with us the many nuances of international service, aid and development, voluntourism, and other topics related to volunteering abroad. She reframes for us what is often referred to as "Service Learning", to describe this restructuring of the ideology into "Learning Service", where learning really is prioritized before everything else. You can follow along on the principles from Learning Service on Instagram @learning.service and on their website https://learningservice.info .

On today's pod we are excited to welcome Nora Livingstone, the cofounder and volunteer coordinator of Animal Experience International, which is an organization that offers ethical and life-changing trips for students, professionals, and animal lovers to volunteer around the world with organizations that are working ethically and sustainability for animal conservation. Nora is a Nature Canada Woman for Nature and is on the advisory board of the Orangutan Project and the Women’s Advisory Council of JourneyWoman. Nora holds FEMA certifications for volunteering, leadership, and deployment during natural disasters, and has volunteered with animals all over the world. This episode discusses some of the ethics around volunteering with animals and pitfalls to look out for as you are looking at your own potential volunteering experience, as well as the five freedoms of animal welfare and how those fit into the Fair Trade Learning Standards for the Gap Year Association. You can learn more about Animal Experience International online at https://www.animalexperienceinternational.com/.

Happy Gap Year Exploration Month! In this special before-and-after episode of Gap Year Radio, we embark on an awe-inspiring conversation with Journey Fleishman, a remarkable gap year student who undertook the incredible feat of hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the Western US. Julia and Journey take a deep dive into the challenges, triumphs, and transformative experiences that Journey encountered during her epic adventure. Part I was recorded before she hit the trail and Part II was recorded after she finished the hike. The resulting conversation takes us through her decision to embark on this ambitious journey, discussing her motivations, preparations, and the support network that helped her along the way. We delve into the physical and mental challenges of hiking over 2,650 miles, from the southern border of California to the northern border of Washington, experiencing the diverse landscapes and climates that the PCT offers. The episode explores the personal growth and self-discovery that Journey experienced during her time on the trail, shedding light on how this epic adventure transformed her perspective on life, nature, and her own capabilities. Journey shares anecdotes of encounters with fellow hikers, illustrating the strong sense of community that exists within the PCT hiking culture. Listeners will gain insights into the practical aspects of long-distance hiking, including gear choices and the daily rhythm of a thru-hiker's life. By the way, her top gear choices are the REI Magma 15 sleeping bag, her ULA Circuit pack, and her trusty ground pad! Whether you're an experienced hiker, aspiring adventurer, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode of Gap Year Radio is a captivating and motivational exploration of an extraordinary gap year experience. Journey Fleishman's Pacific Crest Trail adventure reminds us all that the path less traveled can lead to remarkable personal growth and unforgettable adventures.

Happy October, and welcome to Gap Year Exploration Month! Julia and Margo are excited to chat with the listeners this episode about the many opportunities coming up this month to #explorethegapyear, as well as trending gap year destinations for 2024, helpful apps and hot travel tips, working holiday visas, sustainability, slow travel, and much more. Visit www.gapyearradiopodcast.com for more information on Gap Year Exploration Month and other helpful resources from the episode!

Join us as traveler and disability advocate Johileny Meran shares invaluable insights on how to empower students with disabilities to explore the world. We discuss her study abroad experience in London, receive tips for creating more inclusive gap year experiences and feel reaffirmed in the transformative impact of international experiences for all. Johileny is a graduate of NYU's College of Arts and Science, having received a bachelor's of Arts in Global Public Health/Sociology with a minor in Disabilities Studies. Johileny Travel tips: Take photos of any equipment that gets loaded on the plane in case it is damaged out of your sight. Go on short trips to get used to navigating travel with your equipment and luggage. Get to know your equipment inside and out in order to make your own repairs and make sure your travel/medical insurance covers your equipment. Enjoy your travels! It is so worth it. Resources for Gap Year and College Aged Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility USA library of resources for people traveling with a disability. NYU Accessibility in Study Abroad is a resource for NYU students traveling abroad and features AccessibleGO is a full-service travel platform dedicated to helping people with disabilities make the most out of their travels.

We are thrilled to have Sarah Bryden of the Elemental Self on this episode to discuss sexual education, emerging sexuality and healthy relationships to self and others with emerging adults and gap year students in mind. For gap year students themselves, we will discuss how to frame your sexual health in the context of you gap year experience; Sarah will share some wisdom about how to frame sexuality in your gap experiences. For parents, caregivers and educators, Sarah highlights some important reminders about having open and honest conversations about these topics to ensure that young adults are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate their relationships safely and with confidence. Join us for this enlightening discussion! Sarah's Bio: Sarah Byrden is a somatic practitioner, educator and wilderness guide and has been facilitating in these mediums for over 20 years. She has dedicated over 2 decades to deep study and apprenticeship in western and non-western modalities, and teaches from her own life-long journey in the realms that she offers. Her 2nd TEDx talk, based on the perspective and approach shared in this podcast, has garnered nearly 3 million views. Along with her company The Elemental Self, Sarah is the founder of The Body of Sex, a sex-education and empowerment mission for college-aged students and adults of all ages. She lives in the unceded Tewa territory of Santa Fe, NM.

Today on the pod we have Dave Dennis joining us from Cornerstone Safety Group. Dave is co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Safety Group, a risk management services company supporting travel and experiential education organizations. With a master’s degree in risk management and 27 years of experience in domestic and international operations, Dave has been the Vice President of Risk Management at some of the industry’s largest companies, responded to thousands of incidents, and consulted for more than 60 organizations developing customized risk management systems.  This episode provides an overview of how to look at personal safety when it comes to a gap year experience. Whether you are considering going with a structured program provider for your gap time or venturing out on a more independent or self-designed experience, this episode will provide you with resources and food for thought as you go about assessing these potential experiences. Additionally, we discuss mental, physical, and emotional health when it comes to a gap year and how to plan ahead to ensure that you are taking care of yourself to the best of your ability during this time. Dave brings with him to the pod nearly three decades of experience working in the travel/experiential education realm and provides some invaluable resources and insights to the listeners! You can find Dave and the folks at Cornerstone Safety Group online at cornerstonesafetygroup.org and on LinkedIn as well as by email at info@cornerstonesafetygroup.org.

Happy Earth Month and Welcome to Season Eight of Gap Year Radio! As we navigate the era of climate change, it's become increasingly crucial for us to consider the impact of our travel on the environment. With this in mind, let's delve into the world of sustainable travel and explore why it matters now more than ever before. Our guests Daniel Ponce-Taylor and Arantxa López Martínez are both world travelers, program directors and sustainability experts. This is a great episode to jump start your sustainable gap year thinking! Find our full show notes will sustainable gap year tips at gapyearradiopodcast.com You can find Arantxa and Spanish gap year online at SpanishGapYear.com You can find Daniel online at ioi.ngo You can find Gap Year Radio on instagram and facebook @gapyearradio or online at www.gapyearradiopodcast.com. You can email us your gap year questions or comments at gapyearradio@gmail.com You can download our show wherever you find your favorite podcasts, and if you have a moment, we’d love for you to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more people can discover Gap Year Radio! Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License More info: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Quasi_Motion/