Taking a few gap years definitely did not hurt me any. It gave me time to mature a bit more and really find myself. I finished my Bachelor of Arts in History in 2001, but did not want to settle down just yet. I was reflecting on this for my daily writing prompt on WordPress and felt inspired to write this post about Top Ten Websites for Researching a Gap Year with additional resources.

What is a Gap Year?

a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education.

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Do I Really Want To Do A Gap Year?

The answer was yes for me. My final semester in college, I had two posters on my ceiling as possibly gap year destinations. One was a surfer riding a giant wave in Hawaii, the other was of Mammoth Mountain. I decided I would take on mighty Mammoth Mountain with my beginner snowboard skills because….if not now…when?.

My Decision

I managed to talk my best friend and roommate to join me in Mammoth. We attended a job fair in August and moved up in October. We went from living in a cozy townhouse in San Marcos near San Diego with fairly easy jobs as servers, to a hotel room right across from the ski area. Initially, we were both wondering what the hell we were thinking, but when it started snowing the second day we were there, we realized we had made a great choice (image below: the view from our employee housing).

Learning The Hard Way

We were very newbie snowboarders at the time and had never ridden in powder snow. We did a lot of on the job training, but the other employees in employee housing helped us progress pretty quickly. We made a lot of friends (almost every night was a party of some sort in employee housing) this way. It was like a college frathouse built around the snowboarding subculture.

Thriving in the Mountains

I rode up the mountain being towed by snowmobiles, rode down the mountain in snow cats during a big storm, worked construction cleanup, opened a food court and a restaurant, all in the span of my first season, in addition to riding the mountain every chance I got.

Long-Term Effects

Eventually I got a job in town at a better restaurant and met some very key people in my life. Eric my restaurateur mentor really helped me grow as a leader by believing in me and dealing with my sometimes crap attitude. This helped me gain the confidence and experience to take on becoming a high school teacher. Later I would meet my future wife in one of the local bookstores.

The Mighty Yodler Inn

After a hard days work, “The Yodler” bar and grill was a stones throw away from our employee housing. One could spin the “wheel of shots” while enjoying the company of the guests and the other employees. It was a good honest life, even if the pay was not the best. I learned that quality of life is not entirely dependent on income, that environment is also very key.

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• Work a Low Wage Job for a Day….Day
• Is 3I Atlas an Alien Probe or a Comet?
• Embracing Your Inner Child: The Joy of Being Kid at Heart
• Panda’s Three Wishes
• Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Learning

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Ten Great Sites For Researching Gap Years

1. Go Overseas – Offers articles and resources about the benefits and drawbacks of taking a gap year, along with firsthand accounts from gap year participants. [https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/pros-and-cons-taking-gap-year]
2. USA Gap Year Fairs – Provides information on the advantages and challenges of taking a gap year, as well as tips for planning and financing your gap year experience. [https://www.usagapyearfairs.org/gap-year-basics/pros-and-cons/]
3. Gap Year Association – Offers comprehensive information on the pros and cons of taking a gap year, including considerations for personal growth, academic and career development, and potential challenges. [https://www.gapyearassociation.org/planning-a-gap-year/pros-and-cons]
4. College Raptor – Discusses the benefits and drawbacks of taking a gap year before college, including insights on academic, personal, and professional development. [https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/college-planning/pros-and-cons-of-taking-a-gap-year-before-college/]
5. The Princeton Review – Provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year, including tips for making the most of your gap year experience. [https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/pros-and-cons-of-taking-a-gap-year]
6. Youth Central – Offers a balanced perspective on the pros and cons of taking a gap year, including considerations for personal growth, career exploration, and future planning. [https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/going-overseas/gap-year/the-pros-and-cons-of-taking-a-gap-year]
7. TeenLife – Provides insights into the benefits and challenges of taking a gap year, including advice from experts and testimonials from gap year participants. [https://www.teenlife.com/blogs/pros-and-cons-of-taking-a-gap-year]
8. Gapyear.com – Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year, including considerations for academic, personal, and professional development. [https://www.gapyear.com/articles/features/the-pros-and-cons-of-taking-a-gap-year]
9. CollegeVine – Offers an overview of the pros and cons of taking a gap year, including tips for planning and preparing for a gap year experience. [https://blog.collegevine.com/pros-and-cons-of-taking-a-gap-year/]
10. The New York Times – Provides articles and opinion pieces exploring the benefits and drawbacks of taking a gap year, including insights from educators, students, and experts. [https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/gap-year-guide]

Citations:

Top 10 Gap Year Destinations in the U.S.

1. New York City, New York: Experience the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s most iconic cities, filled with art, culture, and endless opportunities for exploration.
2. San Francisco, California: Explore the vibrant neighborhoods, enjoy the diverse cuisine, and immerse yourself in the innovative tech culture of the Bay Area.
3. Los Angeles, California: From the glamour of Hollywood to the laid-back beaches of Venice, LA offers a mix of entertainment, culture, and outdoor activities.
4. Austin, Texas: Dive into the live music scene, indulge in delicious BBQ, and embrace the unique blend of southern hospitality and progressive culture in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
5. Chicago, Illinois: Discover the rich history, stunning architecture, and thriving food scene of the Windy City, with its beautiful lakefront and vibrant neighborhoods.
6. Portland, Oregon: Experience the quirky charm of Portland, known for its craft beer, food carts, and outdoor adventures amidst the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Northwest.
7. Denver, Colorado: Explore the Rocky Mountains, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy the thriving arts and culture scene in Denver, a city known for its outdoor lifestyle and laid-back vibe.
8. New Orleans, Louisiana: Immerse yourself in the unique blend of Creole culture, music, and cuisine in the lively streets of the Big Easy, famous for its festivals, jazz clubs, and historic architecture.
9. Seattle, Washington: Discover the beauty of the Emerald City, surrounded by water, mountains, and forests, and home to a vibrant arts scene, tech industry, and coffee culture.
10. Asheville, North Carolina: Experience the bohemian vibe of Asheville, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its vibrant arts community, craft breweries, and outdoor adventures.

What Are The Top 10 Global Destinations for a Gap Year?

1. Bangkok, Thailand: Dive into the bustling streets of Thailand’s capital, explore ancient temples, indulge in delicious street food, and experience the vibrant culture of Southeast Asia.
2. Sydney, Australia: Immerse yourself in the laid-back lifestyle of Sydney, with its iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, while also exploring the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding areas.
3. London, United Kingdom: Embrace the rich history, diverse culture, and world-class museums of London, while also using it as a base to explore the rest of Europe.
4. Cape Town, South Africa: Discover the beauty of Cape Town, with its stunning coastline, vibrant markets, and iconic Table Mountain, while also engaging in volunteer opportunities and cultural exchanges.
5. Tokyo, Japan: Experience the unique blend of tradition and modernity in Tokyo, with its futuristic skyscrapers, historic temples, and delicious cuisine, while also exploring the rest of Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
6. Barcelona, Spain: Soak up the sun on Barcelona’s beautiful beaches, wander through the enchanting streets of the Gothic Quarter, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of this vibrant city.
7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Embrace the energy of Rio de Janeiro, with its iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach, while also experiencing the rhythm of samba and exploring Brazil’s natural wonders.
8. Auckland, New Zealand: Explore the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, from the lush forests to the snow-capped mountains, and enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and bungee jumping.
9. Paris, France: Fall in love with the romance and charm of Paris, with its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, while also indulging in the city’s world-renowned cuisine and art scene.
10. Lima, Peru: Discover the rich history and culture of Peru in Lima, with its colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and delicious ceviche, while also exploring ancient Inca ruins like Machu Picchu.

Additional Resources

“OpenAI. (2024, April 24). ChatGPT: 10 Great Websites About the Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year [Chat message]. Retrieved from conversation with ChatGPT.”

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