I hear the blaring alarm clock at the homeless shelter. It’s time for me to get up and prepare breakfast for the residents. I know that I should pop up and help, but I want to fake sleeping so I can rest longer. I know what I should do, but I’m tempted to act otherwise!...Read More
I wake up, the same as I do every morning, about to unthinkingly dive into my routine. Then it occurs to me: today doesn’t have to be just like yesterday! I can learn from everything! I hear a knock at the door and open it for the mail carrier. Instead of just accepting the package,...Read More
Before I was an entrepreneur, I imagined being discovered by a company who was looking to hire me. In my fantasy, work was full of fun, friendship, and flexibility. Maybe I was born too soon, since working like a millennial had not even been invented yet! More and more companies are creating millennial-centered company cultures,...Read More
Want to transform your growth year (a self-development-focused gap year) dreams into reality? You’ve come to the right place. In our Growth Year blog series, you’ve learned how to Be Strategic, how to Be Realistic, and how to Be Intentional. Your final key skill to learn is Be Prepared. With this last tool in your...Read More
Read on if you’re leaning towards taking a growth year (a personal growth-oriented gap year). If you’ve been following our Growth Year series (you can get started here), you’ve learned how to Be Strategic (see Blog #1), how to Be Realistic (check out Blog #2), and you’re looking to make your next move. You’ve identified...Read More
If you’re inclined to answer the question of, “To gap year, or not to gap year?” with “Gap year, heck yes!” read on (if undecided on the gap year question, click here). You are committed to designing next year as a self-selected project where you build skills and enhance your opportunities for the future. You...Read More
You hear the siren song of the road less traveled. Perhaps you want to teach English in Indonesia. Maybe you’ve resolved to join protests decrying a social injustice, or feel called to volunteer for a cause core to your values. It could be that you’re hungry for meaning, growth, and adventure, and are not convinced diving straight...Read More
If you are about to cross the finish line of high school (and even if you’re a bit behind or beyond that mark), you may be contemplating taking a gap year. What is a gap year? What is(n’t) it good for? Is it for you? How you answer these questions could change the course of...Read More
Samiha is a college freshman. Despite coming from a home with limited financial resources, Samiha was able to develop her artistic talents through part-time work in a local shop where she made weekly changes to the display window. With the help of a school counselor Samiha created an art portfolio and was accepted to a...Read More
Do you remember the last time people praised you for doing a great job, but all you could think about were the things you could have done better? Because our brains are hardwired to see and solve problems, it’s normal and natural for us to gravitate towards the negative. When stuck in self-critic mode, though,...Read More
