I wasn’t ready to continue school in the fall and I needed a break. I wanted to learn as much about the world and different cultures as much as possible and meet amazing people that I can share amazing moments with.
When the conversation about what comes next for me after high school came up, I didn’t know where to start thinking. I wasn't sure if I wanted to commit to a four year college, stay in my hometown, or travel the world on a gap year. The more and more I would think about it the more I gravitated towards taking the gap year. I realized I wasn’t ready to continue school in the fall and I needed a break. I wanted to learn as much about the world and different cultures as much as possible and meet amazing people that I can share amazing moments with, and I knew a gap year was the way to do it.
Most people when they graduate high school they go right into collage, but that wasn’t for me. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to study or where I wanted to go. I knew that going right into college wasn't for me because I was so drained from four years of high school and continuing school right after wasn't the best option for me or my mental health. I wanted to make the most of my teenage years and travel as much as possible and doing that will help me decide what I want to do with my life after. Taking a gap year was the best option for me because I could travel the world and learn more about myself and what I wanted to do while still being able to attend college when I get back.
It has always been a goal of mine to learn as much as possible about the world and all of the different cultures. What better time to do that than when I'm young and eager to travel and learn. College will always be there for me to go back to but traveling might not always be an option for me. I wish to gain as much worldly knowledge as possible in my life and why not start now. I’m interested in all sorts of new cultures, customs, food, as well as experiences and I want to be able to encounter and be immersed in those first hand, and being on a gap year will help me do that.
Meeting lifelong friends is such an important value to me and being on a gap year program with people my age doing the same thing and who have the same mindset will definitely gain me those relationships. Traveling for so many weeks together with a group of people will spark those friendships. You share so many memories and moments that you will never forget and it's such a special thing. I want to be able to connect with the people I travel with for years and years after my gap year.
Posted by Jacelyn Bowman on November 14, 2024
