Full Service GAP Year Consulting

I've always had an interest but decided to explore taking a GAP year in June 2020 more seriously. Julia could get to know me, discern my interest, and help cultivate a shortlist of my GAP year goals to keep it focused and effective. Based on my individual needs (time, money, goals), she curated a list of accredited programs that she would personally recommend. Julia worked with my parents as well to ensure that we were all aligned throughout the process. During any downtime between programs, she provided toolkits with exciting courses and volunteer opportunities to keep me busy.

Her service was beneficial during a pandemic. I had little travel experience, and Julia was able to be a sounding board as we made decisions based on what was going on in the world at the time. We always had several plans to pivot to in case the climate changed.

The first semester I spent on an experiential service-learning program, which traveled across the Pacific Northwest for 70 days with a group of 15 people. Part of the program included getting our Wilderness First Aid Certification and Scuba Certification. I had never camped before but spent most of the trip sleeping in a tent. I learned a lot about myself. I can cook sweet potatoes and tacos over a fire. I can teach football to a group of people who, for some reason, don't know anything about the sport. The partners of the program were incredible. I met a man who survived falling into a volcano and another man who had been the Head Ranger of Yellowstone National park.

In the second semester, I will go to Cape Town, South Africa, for a Commerical Real Estate Internship. I am very excited about the opportunity to work within International Business. During the downtime, I am taking a virtual course that included life skills building and goal setting.

I appreciate what Julia has done for me and look forward to working with her for the rest of my GAP year.