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
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