Gap Year Expert Julia Rogers Discusses Options, Trends, and Intentionality
Hello Gap Year corresponded with Julia Rogers, Founding Director of EnRoute Consulting and President Emeritus of the Gap Year Association. She shared her thoughts on trends among gap years, how to make gap years meaningful, and more.
Hello Gap Year: You’ve been doing this for more than 15 years. Is there anything in particular that has changed or is changing in the gap year world, from your perspective?
Julia Rogers: In the 15+ years I’ve been immersed in the gap year world, I’ve seen remarkable changes. Initially seen as unconventional, gap years are now gaining acceptance in the U.S., mirroring historical norms in the UK and Australia. More students are embracing this transformative period for personal growth, career clarity, and global citizenship from a place of intention. The industry has grown substantially, offering diverse opportunities from volunteer work to structured programs, all aimed at shaping well-rounded individuals ready to tackle higher education or the workforce with newfound purpose and perspective. When my students tell their friends they are taking a gap year, the follow-up is no longer, “What’s that?” it’s “Oh cool! What are you doing?”
Hello Gap Year: EnRoute’s vision has to do with empowering young adults. If a family or older adults approached you about taking a mid-career gap year, would you direct them to any particular resources? Do you receive these inquiries often?
Julia Rogers: While I address fewer inquiries from older adults than those from younger adults, they’re increasingly common as people seek personal growth and career realignment through immersive experiences. I usually direct them to people who do work in the “career break” niche like Katrina McGhee, author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, and Vanessa Wachtmeister of WanderOnwards.
HGY: A gap year is often equated with an experience between high school and college but many people don’t realize until later on in life that they have other potential callings (sometimes many) that they would like to explore. And at this point they’re quite settled down with families or kids or debts. What do you suggest if a gap year feels inaccessible at this point in life?
JR: It’s important to remember that the concept of a gap year isn’t confined to a specific age or timeframe. Instead, it’s about creating intentional, transformative experiences, no matter when they occur. For those who are settled with families, careers, or other responsibilities, consider exploring what I like to call “mini sabbaticals.”
A month-long break, like when I spent a month with my family in Bali last year, can offer a rich experience without upending your life. It’s long enough to immerse yourself in a new environment and create lasting memories, but short enough to manage with existing commitments. You can also look into flexible arrangements, such as part-time work, remote opportunities, or negotiating a temporary leave with your employer.
Additionally, leverage the sharing economy for housing and look into family-friendly destinations that align with your goals and budget. The key is to find a balance that allows for meaningful exploration while fitting into your current lifestyle. Even a condensed version of a gap year can provide valuable growth and rejuvenation.
HGY: Are there dedicated resources for lower income gap year planners? What if they are well beyond traditional student age?
JR: Absolutely! There are many dedicated resources available for those planning a gap year or career break on a budget, including options for individuals beyond the traditional student age. Here are some notable programs:
- AmeriCorps: This program offers several options, including AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), which is a 10-month, full-time residential program for individuals aged 18-24. Participants work on team-based community projects, such as disaster relief and environmental conservation. AmeriCorps provides housing, meals, a stipend, and an education award upon completion.
- City Year (under the Americorps umbrella): Volunteers in this program work in schools across the United States to provide academic and emotional support to students in under-resourced communities. The program includes a living stipend, health insurance, and an education award upon completion of the service year.
- WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms): WWOOF connects volunteers with organic farms around the world. In exchange for labor, volunteers receive food and accommodation, making it a cost-effective way to travel and learn about sustainable agriculture.
- Workaway: Similar to WWOOF, Workaway connects volunteers with hosts who need help with various projects, including teaching, construction, and eco-projects. Volunteers receive food and accommodation in exchange for their work.
- Rotary Youth Exchange: This program offers affordable cultural exchange opportunities where participants live with host families abroad. The program provides a unique opportunity to learn new skills, gain cultural insights, and even study or volunteer abroad.
These programs provide a range of opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and meaningful contribution to communities worldwide, making them excellent options for low-cost gap years or career breaks at any age.
HGY: Are there any assumptions tied to gap years that you’re trying to push back against?
JR: There are several assumptions about gap years that I work tirelessly to challenge! One of the most pervasive is the idea that taking a gap year is only for “certain” students. Some assume a gap year isn’t for them because they make assumptions about who takes a gap year, like they are lost or aimless. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A gap year is an intentional and structured period where young people can gain invaluable life skills, clarity on their future goals, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. It’s not about drifting; it’s about growing.
Another misconception is that gap years are just a luxurious break that only affluent families can afford. While it’s true that some gap year experiences can be expensive, there are countless affordable and even cost-neutral options available. Many students work during their gap year or participate in volunteer programs that cover living expenses. The key is that a gap year can be tailored to fit a wide range of budgets and circumstances.
Finally, there’s an assumption that taking a gap year will derail a student’s academic progress. In reality, studies have shown that students who take a gap year often return to their studies more focused and motivated, leading to higher GPAs and faster graduation rates. A well-planned gap year can be a strategic step toward academic and professional success, not a detour from it.
When you interrogate these assumptions further, I believe there’s a deeper underpinning of judgment around “the right path” and what society believes success looks like. When I look at my gap year alums who are now ten years out from their gap time, I see adults who are happier and know what they want in life precisely because they took that time. It’s all about prioritizing what actually matters!
HGY: Gap years come in all shapes and sizes but is there one thing that every gap year should entail, no matter the specifics?
JR: One non-negotiable aspect every gap year should focus on is intentionality. Whether the gap year involves travel, volunteering, work experience, or a combination of these activities, it should be a purposeful period dedicated to personal growth and exploration.
An intentional gap year fosters maturity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of one’s values and priorities. This deliberate approach ensures that the experiences gained during this time are meaningful and transformative, setting the foundation for a more focused and enriched future. Intentionality allows gap year students to return to their academic or professional pursuits with a clearer sense of direction, ultimately enhancing their overall life journey.
HGY: Are there specific ways that EnRoute helps its advisees approach their gap years with intention?
JR: I have goal setting and intention-setting exercises I do with my students at the outset of planning. Then, as part of the pre-departure process I have additional resources and communication around mental preparation, ethical travel and more depending on the activity and location that they’ll be going to.
HGY: What is the most outside-the-box type of gap year you’ve seen someone take?
JR: Lara Prior-Palmer – a young woman who participated in -and then won – the infamous Mongol Derby horse race. She then wrote an incredible memoir about the experience called Rough Magic.
HGY: What’s next in the world of gap year consulting? Any big changes or developments you are building towards?
JR: Right now I’m focusing on mentoring my current crop of students and looking towards recruiting my next season of gappers! Beyond that, I’m excited about developing and delivering professional development to high school counselors, educational professionals and others who work with young adults on postsecondary and career planning. My hope is to demystify the gap year option for them so they can inspire more students to take intentional gap years!
If you’ve taken a gap year or work in a related industry and have insights of your own to share, we’d love to hear from you.
