Gap Year Radio

Gap Year Radio
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Gap Year Radio

Gap Year Radio is a podcast that brings you information and inspiration to plan a life-changing gap year adventure. We focus on bringing you interviews from people from across the gap year spectrum - people who run or lead gap year programs, gap year alumni who can tell you about adventures and travel experts who can give you advice on how to turn your dream of a year out into a reality. Intro music credits: Quasi Motion Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Frequently Wondered Questions: FWQ: Who Takes a Gap Year?

    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 If you’ve ever wondered who actually takes a gap year and why, this episode will challenge conventional wisdom's outdated assumptions about life after high school.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

    20 min

  2. JAN 28

    Abby & Elena: Student and Parent Perspectives on Gapping

    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/

    40 min

  3. JAN 10

    Welcome to Season 9: Looking Back, Looking Forward

    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!

    25 min

  4. 12/11/2023

    Ep. 809 Mindful Volunteering Part II: Student Voices

    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.

    36 min

  5. 11/20/2023

    Ep. 808 Mindful Volunteering: All About "Learning Service" with Claire Bennett

    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 .

    47 min

  6. 10/30/2023

    Ep. 807 Ethical Animal Volunteering with Nora Livingstone of Animal Experience International

    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/.

    58 min

  7. 10/16/2023

    Ep. 806 Trailblazer Journey Fleishman Tackles the PCT on Her Gap Year

    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.

    45 min

  8. 10/02/2023

    Ep. 805 Talking Gap Year Exploration Month & Where to Travel in 2024 with Julia & Margo

    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!

    52 min
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5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Gap Year Radio is a podcast that brings you information and inspiration to plan a life-changing gap year adventure. We focus on bringing you interviews from people from across the gap year spectrum - people who run or lead gap year programs, gap year alumni who can tell you about adventures and travel experts who can give you advice on how to turn your dream of a year out into a reality. Intro music credits: Quasi Motion Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Information

  • Creator
    Gap Year Radio
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Gap Year Radio
  • Show Website
    Gap Year Radio

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