Planning and Preparing for a Gap Year

在你开始研究项目和为间隔年制定计划之前, it is important to think about your goals for the year. 做一些自我反省，回答一些关于你的兴趣的问题, passions and motivation will help guide you in your research.

Some questions you might want to ask yourself are:

• Is there something you have always wanted to do? What are your dreams?
• How do you want to spend your time?
• 间隔年实际上是15个月的时间，这意味着你可以做各种各样的活动.
• What do you care about?
• When this year is over, what do you hope to have achieved?
• What type of activities are you excited about: travel, adventure, cultural or language immersion, academic, community service, leadership skills?

度过间隔年并制定出正确的计划需要时间和支持. 在计划过程中走得太远之前，学生和家庭应该讨论他们的期望.

For example,

• How much structure and adult supervision is appropriate?
• What is your budget for the year? Are you expected to work?
• What are the expectations for how you spend your time?
• Where might you go?
• Will part of your year be spent at home?

There is no exact formula for the Gap Year. 每个计划都是独一无二的，并基于学生及其家人制定的特定标准.

学生们应该考虑他们这一年的重点是什么，并从那里开始研究. 一旦确定了一两个重要的经验，并研究了各种选择, 学生可以用满足其他兴趣的经历来填补空白. Some anchors for a gap year to consider:

• 通过语言学习、寄宿家庭、学术课程或服务沉浸在一个国家或文化中
• Civic engagement through community service either in the U.S. or abroad
• A long duration internship or job
• A major adventure or academic program

We invite you to search the Gap Year Opportunities Online Library for inspiration.

许多机会都是通过提供结构化间隔年项目的组织提供的. Students and families will need to determine if the program, job, internship or class meets their criteria for content and organization, and the following questions can help organize this research process.

• What type of organization is it and what is their history or reputation?
• 需要什么样的申请，接受的标准是什么?
• What is the itinerary and what will your daily experiences be like?
• In what country and what type of region (city/rural) will you be?
• What forms of communication are available: cell phone, email, etc.?
• What kind of health care is available?
• 住宿安排是怎样的:青年旅舍、家庭住宅、宿舍、酒店、帐篷?
• What forms of transportation will be used? Are you expected to take public transport, ride a bike, in the back of a pick-up truck or on the back of a motorcycle?

除了这些问题，间隔年计划页面上的问题可能会有所帮助. 还要向你正在调查的公司询问最近参加过同样机会的人的推荐信. 通过问这些推荐人一些开放式的问题(“你为什么选择本公司??” “What were some of the highlights?” “What were some of the challenges?”) as opposed to specific questions (“Was it worth it?” “Would you recommend this program to someone?)，你可能会从他们的回答中听到你问题的答案.