The High Desert Center Gap Year

I didn't realize how much I had growth and change that I underwent on the High Desert Center gap year until I went back four years later. As soon as I stepped into the land and looked around at the buildings, many of which I helped build on my gap year, I realized how much of myself still lives and thrives here. I spent a moment soaking up the warm sun and mountain air, remembering.

It is hard to tell when you are fully immersed, roughing it in the back country through canyons and along rivers. It is hard to see the internal changes that are happening constantly on this program, but when I sat in with this year's students during a check-in, I looked around the circle, listening, and saw within them the self-knowledge, authenticity and dedication to clear, kind communication that this year has helped them realize for themselves. This is what I got from this program as well. It will always be a second home for me, a place that I will come back to to mark my growth as a human.

This place changed my life! By doing this program, you will become a part of a loving and supportive community learning and growing together. I leaned so much during this year from backpacking and orienting skills to the basics of fusion dance. I have also learned so much about myself and how to communicate with others. I’ve fallen in love with the outdoors again and have learned to love myself. The High Desert Center is worth every penny. My only advice is do go in with a willingness to say “yes” and an openness to learn.

If you want a life-changing experience that broadens your perspective, expands your skills, and teaches you how to more deeply love the world around you the High Desert Center is the place for you. I formed lifelong connections, engaged in communication workshops, traveled all around the southwest, and learned fusion dance while attending the program. It is hard to put into words how much I grew over this year. This is a place where you can challenge yourself in an unexpected way with the support of a community at your side. This allowed me to explore myself and how I want to exist in the world. Words do not do this program justice. You should just join to see the wonders it provides.

My time at the High Desert Center was life-changing. Even though I was only a semester, the friends I made and the perspective I gained will definitely stay with me. I’ve gained a new appreciation for the simpler things in life, for what it means to live life to the fullest and create a community with like-minded people. I learned so many useful skills, spent time in the most beautiful mountains and landscapes, and made friends for life. Marian and Dev’s mission of sustainability and adventurous living is incredible and after only 3 months, I learned so much about myself. I guarantee that this is the program for you, and if you have doubts my advice is just to go for it. You’ll be so grateful you did.

This program truly holds so many surprises. Whether we were climbing a mountain, learning about local ecology, playing a city wide game of hide and seek, or planning a community celebration, every day was a new adventure. I was continually inspired by the passion of program staff and energy of my fellow participants, which really encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and dive into new experiences. The sense of community created in this program is phenomenal. After just a few days I felt completely at home, and I know I made many lifelong friends. I think this program would be a perfect fit for anyone who wants to learn a lot, see the world, and experience life in a one of a kind community.

My experience at the high desert center has been one of the most formative experiences of my life. I went into it thinking I knew what I was getting myself into- a gap year program centered around community, sustainability, and adventure. In reality, it is so much more. The people you meet here become your family and the adventures you'll go on are unforgettable and out of the ordinary. You'll be challenged and learn so much about yourself in the process. I recommend this program to anyone looking for an unconventional and inspiring year full of love, growth, adventure, practical skills, and so much more.

I don't think any amount of reviews could accurately capture the magic that is the High Desert Center. I applied to the program unsure of who I was as a person or what I wanted in life, and found a community that not only accepted me, but celebrated me for everything that I am. From day one, it felt like everyone wanted to tear down their walls and be as authentically themselves as possible. I had formed stronger connections with people I'd known for a couple weeks, than I had with people I'd known my whole life. I grew emotionally by learning to get more in tune with my feelings, physically as we interacted with nature through biking or backpacking trips, and mentally as I overcame the doubts I had about myself. I laughed till my stomach hurt, learned survival skills, created pots out of clay I made myself, biked 50 miles in a day, learned how to farm/live sustainably, and literally so much more. I truly believe anybody could gain something from coming to the High Desert Center.

The High Desert Center has been one of the greatest surprises of my life. I went into it knowing very little but came out feeling good about community, life skills, and myself. Here I was able to push myself and challenge myself day to day, I also found that my sense of community pushed me in many areas as well. Coming here I was able to make friends with people from around the US and create deep meaningful connections with them in just a matter of a few weeks. I lived in an environment of constant support and love that I'd struggle to find in other areas of my life. The number one take away has been how much I learned about who I am And what I was capable of, the people of HDC improved my confidence and I learned more about life skills and independence.