Gap year. It means lots of things. Probably something different for every person.
They can be taken right after high school or after finishing college but before entering a career, or sometime in between. And somehow, they can last only a semester. My gap year is taking place before I go to college so that is really the only scenario I can speak to. When some people comment that it’s good that I’m doing this now rather than later, my mom jokes that there’s no guarantee I won’t do it later too.
You can take a gap year for different reasons and do different things. Maybe you need to work a full time job to save up for college or graduate school. Perhaps your family needs you at home. Some people use the year to travel and explore the world and be on their own. You can use the time to better understand yourself, your interests, and what you may want to “do with your life”. Maybe you get a year-long internship. Some people take a gap year, not knowing what they’ll do with it, just knowing they are not ready for college.
My gap year will be spent doing service work as a volunteer. For me there were a lot of factors and a lot of hoped for outcomes. Like the blog’s subtitle says, I’m doing this to get away and give back. I was sure of two things: I didn’t want to go to college just yet and I loved doing charity work. With an open mind, a lot of work, help, and support I made this happen.
My way isn’t the only way though. If you know anything about those other situations or stories, contact me.
There will be a post about why I chose to take a gap year and how I made it happen. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly. I don’t suggest anyone does take it lightly, especially if you are interested in taking one like mine. I will also elaborate on how I set it up like this.
This year comes to you in three main parts.
Part 1: Holy Family Services Birth Center in Weslaco, Texas (Aug. 24 – Nov.11)
https://www.holyfamilybirthcenter.com/
Holiday Break: At home in Northern Virginia volunteering locally
Part 2: Cross Catholic Outreach partner in Punta Gorda, Belize (Jan. 11 – Mar. 17)
Part 3: Little Sisters of the Poor Queen of Peace Residence in Queens, NYC, New York (Mar.24 – May 26)
Summer 2018: spending time with friends and family, road trip to New Orleans, prepping for college, being my sister’s maid of honor, and internship with an activist group called Rehumanize International
Fall 2018: I’ll be joining the class of 2022 at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburgh, Maryland. Before you ask, I’m most likely going in “Undeclared”.
My official title at Holy Family Services (HFS) is “General Volunteer” and that about sums up what I’m doing in all three Parts of my gap year. I’ll get into more detail, obviously, in my blog posts, but that’s the gist.
It is my hope that this blog will tell the story of this year, with all it’s ups and downs and surprises. I’ll keep the boring bits to myself though. Please join me on this journey. It may be called a gap year, technically, but I know it will be an awfully fascinating adventure.
Year of Uitwaaien 