J2Guides

J2Guides

Why choose J2Guides?

J2Guides, co-founded by husband-and-wife team Jason and Jane (= J2), puts empowerment, agency, affordability and expertise at the center of your family's gap year conversation. Jane and Jason are the only nationally accredited gap year counselors who have held every role in this field: from gappers, to field instructors, to executive directors, to gap year coaches. Building on their 30 years in experiential, international and wilderness education, Jane and Jason educate, inspire and engage students in articulating their goals, defining their budgets and exploring reputable program options. We start with a belief that you know you best, combine that with our decades of expertise, and together plan your best gap year!

Reviews

Default avatar
David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

J2 Guides = Superb in Every Way

J2 did much more than just help us plan everything for the gap year my son took. It's the time and effort they put into really listening carefully to what he wanted to accomplish, helped him finesse those desires into a carefully planned year. Perhaps, most importantly, J2 guided and supported him before, during and after, to find his way emotionally, intellectually and even physically and spiritually. Their guidance from the beginning, support during the programs and follow up afterward allowed my son to take full advantage of all the incredible experiences they mapped out with him as a team.

J2 played an integral part in what turned out to be a profoundly impactful year of experiential opportunity and development and we are so grateful for their connection to our family. Jason and Jane are amazing.

Pros
  • Extremely knowledgable
  • Well thought out methodology around designing the gap year, supporting the students and cultivating the best programs for the individual
  • They are extremely good at understanding the whole person, their values, passions, where they want to be challenged and what their priorities and goals are
Cons
  • Honestly... there's nothing for this category
Default avatar
Meghan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exceptional Guidance

Jane and Jason of J2 Guides are a power team when it comes to the world of gap years and experiential learning. As a college counselor, I have come to rely on their wealth of knowledge and years of experience. They are my first call when I have a question or a family is interested to learn more. In addition to their deep understanding, I greatly value their pedagogy as they are teachers first, ever relational and always listening so they can help kids be highly intentional with their gap time, achieve their goals, and ultimately learn more about themselves through their gap experience. They are the best!

Pros
  • Thoughtful
  • Personal
  • Supportive
Default avatar
Travis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

J2Guides Provides An Exceptional Experience for All!

I had the honor of working alongside Jane and this program as an educator. We brought a number of my high school students to Belize for what became a very formative experience for all of us. Jane and J2Guides organized and facilitated everything with professionalism and pure tact, from our travel itinerary to homestay environments to daily schedule and trainings. My students loved the program and returned to school, not only full of great stories and adventures, but changed. It was clear that they experienced tremendous growth and adopted a new sense of themselves, one another and the world around them. The students' time with Jane and J2Guides would end up, in the years to come, influencing many of the decisions they made, and the lives they pursued. Jane's expertise, combined with her collaboration style and extremely thoughtful down-to-earth approach to curating an exceptional experience is something that has continued to have affect on me and resonate in my own career as an educator and as a person. I wholeheartedly recommend their program and consultation for any school, family or individual.

Pros
  • Organization
  • Training
  • Support and guidance throughout experience
Cons
  • Program was too short (that was our fault, not the fault of J2Guides)
Default avatar
Jane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exceptional Guidance from J2Guides

J2Guides provided exceptional guidance to two of our children -- both of whom enjoyed stints abroad. I can't speak highly enough for the value they brought to the challenge of filling a year with vigorous, expanding experiences. A gap year is a gift of time to explore and experience the world focused on growth and adventure. J2Guides allowed our sons to capitalize on their opportunity and make the most of every week of their gap year. We are so appreciative of and grateful for the knowledge and resources Jane provided to our family.

Pros
  • Independence
  • adventure
  • Safety
Cons
  • Covid restrictions that caused plans to change
Default avatar
Andrew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gap Year Advising

Jane provided fantastic advisory services for the planning of my gap year. I don't think I could have ever found the programs that suited me so well without her. She took the time to really get to know me and my parents, understand our respective goals for the year, recommend appropriate programs, and made sure my experiences were the best possible in every way. I spent the first half of my gap year in Ireland with Irish Gap Year and the second half doing service work in Hawaiian villages with Carpe Diem Education. I was pushed beyond my comfort zone in both programs but because Jane got to know me I was confident my experiences would be safe and successful. My parents and I can't say enough about J2 guides except that everyone should take a gap year before college and everyone should use their services. They are the best!

Programs

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Professional Associations

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