I'm still in high school, but I'm thinking about doing a gap year inbetween high school and college.?

Question

I know I would like to go to Paris during my gap year, but I don't know which program to choose. I've been looking at AIFS for a while now, and they seem alright. Although, if I do that program I would get college credit and that doesn't make any sense, because I have no idea what to major in! If you know any gap year programs to Paris or advice on whether to do a gap year or not please tell me!!

x*x aurelie

Answer 1

I think studying abroad in your gap year is a great idea.  It helps you transition from high school to college, and prevented me from getting totally burned out from school.  Even though I attended school on my exchange, it wasn't the same as going straight to college.

I'm not sure I know of any programs that I can recommend if you specifically want to go to Paris.  There's nothing wrong with getting college credit, even if you don't know what you want to major in, because at most colleges you'll need to fulfill language requirements and also have some elective or general credits to fill up, so you can use the college credits for those.

If you aren't set on getting college credit, you could apply to be a high school exchange student, which they will still allow you to do after you graduate.  Check out AFS, YFU or Rotary -- they're all reputable programs.

AFS: http://www.afs.org

YFU: http://www.yfu.org

Rotary: http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYout...

Good luck!  Going abroad during your gap year is a great experience!

Answer 2

that doesn't sound like a gap year, that sounds more like an student exchange program!

one word of caution, though!

"Gapyear.com estimates that 25 per cent of those embarking on gap year travel do so uninsured, placing their parents' homes at risk."