What is Gap Year Exploration Month?

Join us in telling the world to #ExploreTheGapYear.

OCTOBER is Gap Year Exploration Month (GYEM), a global initiative that celebrates the gap year option and aims to inspire more young people to pursue gap years for personal and educational growth. GYEM calls on students, educators, counselors, programs, education experts, and alumni to come together to:

  • Share information about gap year opportunities, both in-person and virtual.
  • Celebrate gap year students and alumni.
  • Support students planning a gap year.
  • Recognize the significant power and benefits of intentional gap years.
  • Build a community of gap year supporters.
  • Boost corporate and governmental support for the gap year movement.
  • Educate schools, colleges & universities, students, and parents about the benefits of taking a gap year.

Get Involved, #ExploretheGapYear!

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for more details on how you can get involved:

Every October, the gap year community comes together to connect and amplify the growing gap year movement through Gap Year Exploration Month (GYEM). Here’s how to get involved:

2023 CALL FOR GAP YEAR ALUM VIDEOS

Are you a gap year alum with advice or a story to share? We want you to be a part of our Write Your Own Story campaign this fall! Email outreach@gapyearassociation.org to voice your interest.

FOLLOW GYEM ON GYA’S SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow us on Instagram @gapyearassocation and use #ExploreTheGapYear. Join us in connecting students, educatorsconsultants, programs, education experts, and gap year alumni to elevate the gap year movement.

2023 CALL FOR GAP YEAR AMPLIFIERS

Are you a gap year alum, parent, educator, school counselor, IEC, or enthusiastic human ready to share information about the gap year option? We are creating a network of Gap Year Amplifiers who will activate this October armed with all the tools necessary to spread the word about gap years. If you want to become an Amplifier this October, start by selecting an action from the options below, then fill out a short form to let us know you’re interested. Once you submit your interest, a member of GYA’s Outreach Committee will follow up with resources and guidance to help you participate!

Become a GYEM Amplifier:

Are you ready to help us share information about the gap year option? We are creating a network of Gap Year Amplifiers who will activate this October armed with all the tools necessary to spread the word about gap years. If you want to become an Amplifier this October, start by selecting an action from the options below, then fill out a short form to let us know you’re interested. Once you submit your interest, a member of GYA’s Outreach Committee will follow up with resources and guidance to help you participate!

Resources & Research

GYEM 2023_Toolkit for programs and organizations

Want to join the gap year movement? Help spread the word with this handy toolkit.

Looking for data on gap years?Download the 2020 gap year alumni survey.

GYA Gap Year Planning Guide cover

Looking for help planning a gap year? Download GYA's Gap Year Planning Guide to get started.

Want To Help Plan Gap Year Exploration Month?

Join the GYA Outreach Committee! Contact Committee Chair Julia Rogers at outreach@gapyearassociation.org.

RESOURCES FROM PAST GYEMS

GYEM 2023 Webinar: Low-Cost/Affordable Gap Year Options

To conclude Gap Year Exploration Month in 2023, the Gap Year Association hosted a panel discussion on low-cost/affordable gap year options, featuring Elisabet Raquel García of Access Equitable Education, Heather Dirck of AmeriCorps NCCC, and Katherine Stievater of Gap Year Solutions. The conversation covered financial aid resources, fully-funded national service opportunities, and ideas for reducing costs around independent gap year experiences. 

GYEM 2022 Panel of Experts Discusses the Future of Gap Years:

College Confidential and the Gap Year Association presented a panel of experts from Duke University, the Gap Year Association, and AmeriCorps. Panelists discussed how a meaningful gap year can equip students with the necessary skills for future satisfaction in their life, education, and career, and what we can do to normalize the gap year option.

GYEM 2022 Gap Year Alumni Videos:

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