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In today’s episode, we had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Carpe Diem’s ED, Adam! Such a kindred spirit who shares his experience with travel and experiential programs.  Together, Michelle and Adam dive deep into the key skills that youth are missing whether that’s because of gaps created from the pandemic or the pressures of family and society. Exploring how experiential experiences play a valuable role in rebuilding these skills and putting your young person one step closer to finding their values, passions and interests.  Take a listen!  Topics Discussed Learn more about Carpe Diem’s and Global Routes Programs Benefits of Gap Years, Experiential Learning and Travel The importance of self-exploration and finding your values, interests and passions.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode Global Routes: https://globalroutes.org/programs/gap-year-2/  Carpe Diem Education - International Gap Year Programs: https://carpediemeducation.org/  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

Taking a gap year can be a roller coaster of emotion and experiences. It's full of highs and lows, and each experience gives the gapper so many opportunities to learn and grow. In today’s episode, Michelle explores the 3 key times during the gap year process where gappers really struggle, when you can expect to have these challenges, what you can do to reduce the strain along with sharing a ton of amazing CanGap resources that will support your young person!  Take a listen! 

What comes to mind when you hear the word Career? Does it evoke feelings of fear, anxiousness or overwhelm? Do you perceive it as a one time decision and then you’re locked in for the next 40, 50 maybe even 60 years?! Well, what if we told you that careers don’t have to be so serious, in fact unserious careers will actually lead you to become  healthier, happier and a more successful version of yourself.   On today’s episode we invited the lovely Alana Kilmartin, author of “Unserious Careers” who dives deep into the importance of self-exploration and experiential learning. Reflecting on her own career journey and how gap years were instrumental in helping her discover her true passions, take a listen!    Topics Discussed Alana’s personal journey of writing her book, Unserious Careers. The importance of having transparent conversations with parents/guardians around expectations (which oftentimes may be different than what you think!)  The reality of today is that career paths are not linear, and while this may seem daunting - it’s a beautiful opportunity for people to explore a variety of their interests.  Always progressing to the “next step” will not necessarily move your career in the right direction, instead getting clarity about what you actually want to do will accelerate you to where you want to go. The difference between taking a year off and and taking a gap year - how can you make the most of this time. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Check out Alana’s Book “Unserious Careers” https://www.unseriouscareers.com/ Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call   Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Most parents would think that if they offered their teenager an opportunity to take a gap year, they would say yes in a heartbeat! Imagine all of the exciting adventures, learning opportunities and the ability to earn some extra money - what's not to love! Well, to your surprise, some teenagers are actually reluctant to take a gap year, even if they may not be 100% ready for higher education.  Today’s episode is jam packed with tons of great advice from Michelle! We dive straight into the top 3 reasons why your teen may be opposed to taking a gap year, what post-secondary readiness looks like, plus a walkthrough of how you can approach this conversation to get your teen on board!  Take a listen!  Topics Discussed What are parents reaching out and talking to CanGap about? The top 3 reasons why teenagers are hesitant to take a gap year (some of these may surprise you!)  How to have productive conversations with your young person that will encourage them to think about pursuing a gap year.  The 6 factors of post-secondary readiness - and having your teen use this as a benchmark to assess whether they are ready for higher education.  Action steps to take to make them feel confident about pursuing a gap year.    Resources Mentioned In This Episode Post-Secondary Readiness Watch our amazing Ambassadors!  Parents Support Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call   Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

In today’s episode we invite the fabulous Jay Gosselin from Discover Year, a certified Canadian post-secondary program that fosters confidence, resilience and equips students with the skills they need to succeed in their transition from adolescence into adulthood through their one-year life skills program.  We all know the pandemic was a rocky time for everyone, but Michelle and Jay unpack the many areas where youth were impacted and ultimately the skills deficits resulting from this.  They also dive deeper into how gap years are the perfect way to build on these skills to help young people get back on track!  Take a listen!  Topics Discussed The major setbacks and obstacles faced by youth including social and mental health issues.  How such issues have become barriers for youth to make an effective transitions from adolescence to young adulthood The challenges with having difficult conversations with your young person and CanGap resources that you can tap into.  How discover year through experiential learning and exceptional mentor support helps the development of critical soft skills that students are missing  Resources Mentioned In This Episode Mentioned Podcast Episode “Alum Series: Alex & Rhys - Becoming Friends and Making Progress”   Check out Discover Year!  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

Do you ever wonder what’s holding your young person back from applying for that job, trying out for the sports team or even asking that person out?  Well, in today’s episode, Michelle unpacks this powerful underlying emotion of fear. She walks us through how and why fear overwhelms teenagers when they are faced with making decisions.  As always, Michelle shares real-life tips on how to have the proper conversation with your teenager on overcoming their fear, and provides insight on how to make this effective on your young person. Take a listen!    Topics Discussed The powerful emotion of fear and its impact on your teens performance.  Why are teenagers feeling so overwhelmed and nervous about their future?  Understanding concepts of rejection and uncertainty, and how they factor in on your young person’s decision making. Identifying fear in terms of its 3 zone zones, comfort, challenge and overwhelm and tips to navigate through these.  Advice and resources on how to lead conversations about overcoming fears with you teen How to support and show up for your young person during this transitional stage of their life.   Resources Mentioned In This Episode   Gap Year Coaching  How to Talk so your Teens Listen, How to Listen so your Teens Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlich  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/  

We asked parents about their biggest concerns with their young person taking a gap year, and across the board their top 3 answers were:  My teen will waste their time. Various financial concerns.  My teen will face loneliness and isolation.  Want to know who else had the same exact concerns? Gappers!  As parents, it’s important to recognize that things that are concerning you are also concerning your young person. So, in this episode, Michelle, gap year and parenting expert,walks through how to bridge this communication gap and allow parents and gappers to work together to curate a gap year plan that will serve and benefit them.  This episode is packed with tons of valuable planning and financial resources that you can tap into to help support you and your young person through this exhilarating gap year journey!  Step into 2023 equipped with all of the advice and resources you need to help your teen pursue a successful gap year!  And, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, you don’t want to miss out on all of the amazing tips and advice brought to you by our gap year experts!  Topics Discussed What are the top 3 concerns for parents and gappers?  The value of creating a gap year plan in collaboration with your teen and resources that will support this. The importance of setting expectations before a gap year, and what some expectations may look like.  Exploring the fact that Gap Years are an investment in your young person’s life (just like post-secondary education!) along with what are programs that you should invest in.  Unpacking the Money Freedom Paradox and the benefits for teens to be working more full-time positions Resources to tap into to prevent your gapper from being isolated during their gap year Exciting program launching for PARENTS that you do not want to miss out on!  Resources Mentioned In This Episode Episode 87: Teen Brain Science Crucial Conversations Download 4-Step Gap Year Planner Gap Year Gameplan Gap Year Accelerator Parent Programs Subscribe to CanGap Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alumni all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Imagine if there was a website that would match you to the perfect post-secondary institution, program, scholarships and career path that is just right for you! Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?  Well, you’re in luck because in today’s episode we invited the amazing Logan Bright from SchoolFinder and Scholarships Canada who walks us through how students can utilise these phenomenal resources to take the stress off of post-secondary research and help them effectively find the most relevant information.  And, to all the gappers tuning in, Logan actually took a gap year himself! He spent his time dedicated to gaining work experience, personal growth and even filming and starring in his own movie!  Tune in, you don’t want to miss out on this one!  Topics Discussed Meet Logan Bright from SchoolFinder and ScholarshipCanada and learn about how you can be matched with your perfect post-secondary school, programs, scholarships and career path. The amazing features of SchoolFinder and how it will help you explore post-secondary options you were not aware of before. Learn about Logan’s transformative gap year and how that impacted the trajectory of his career. Understanding that career paths are not linear (and that is okay!) and how to best embrace that change.  How to leverage your gap year to craft the most compelling scholarships apps and successfully fund your post-secondary education.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode SchoolFinder ScholarshipsCanada Learn more about how you can win scholarships!  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

We all know post-secondary education is very expensive and a huge financial burden that students have to carry. Thank goodness for scholarships!. However, looking for scholarships, writing  beautifully crafted applications and effectively communicating your skills can be challenging! But don’t worry, in today’s episode we invited scholarship expert Janet MacDonald from MyCampusGPS, who shares her incredible insight on the scholarship process and how you can be a successful candidate.  Janet and Michelle also dive further to unpack the greater value besides the money and how scholarships can become a tool you can leverage to make you a better job candidate and land those dream positions.  Topics Discussed Meet Janet MacDonald from MyCampusGPS and learn about the helpful resources she provides students.  Looking beyond the money, how will scholarships help you stand out among other job candidates.  How gappers can leverage their time and experiences of their gap year when it comes to the scholarship process.  What skills funders look for when reading scholarship applications.  How taking on a leadership role will help you develop the necessary skills and qualities that can be applied to applications, but more importantly your own experiences.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode https://www.mycampusgps.ca/  Contact Janet: justjanet@mycampusgps.ca Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

In today’s episode we invited the incredible Brelan, a CanGap alum who dedicated her gap year to self-growth, becoming financially savvy and going on some epic adventures! She was able to accomplish this (and much more!) by using the Gap Year Gameplan and leveraging the pillars, resources and expert support to make her gap year EPIC!  Tune in to hear all about Brelan’s exciting journey and why taking a gap year is truly a step in the right direction to grow, gain invaluable skills and make a lifetime of memories.  Topics Discussed What compelled Brelan about CanGap and why she chose the Gap Year Gameplan Program.  Brelan’s top 3 gap year goals and how she was able to achieve them through the gameplan pillars.  The support and resources provided by CanGap which was instrumental in guiding Brelan through her year.  Brelan’s takeaways from her epic gap year.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode Gap Year Gameplan  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Finding a job, education and credentialing look very different to what it has been in the past. Ever since entering the digital era, the metaverse, digital badges and micro credentials have taken things by storm, and are something that you do not want to miss out on!  In today’s episode, Michelle dives deep into the world of digital badges. What they are, where you can earn them and how to display them so you can tap into valuable networks and get connected with the right people.  The best part is that CanGap offers digital badges and credentials for gappers! We’ll walk you through our internationally recognized Student of Leadership and Humanity Award, and how you can validate the learning that happens on your gap year!  Topics Discussed Exploring the Metaverse! What is it, how can you take advantage of it and how is it relevant to your gap year.  Diving deeper into the world of digital badges and credentials. Leveraging LinkedIn to tap into your network and land your dream internship and work positions.  How your Gap Year is the perfect opportunity to explore the metaverse and earn digital badges to give you a jumpstart in your professional development.  CanGap’s very own digital credentials, The Student of Leadership and Humanity Award! Resources Mentioned In This Episode Student of Leadership and Humanity Award  Learn more about AJ’s gap year experience Creating an Effective LinkedIn Profile with AJ Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

Are you looking to apply to an arts and design school but don’t know where or how to start? Does crafting your portfolio, writing your application or even networking with other creatives feel intimidating?  Well, you are in luck! In today’s episode, we invited Danielle, an OCAD Alum and recruiter. She shares her journey pursuing art during highschool, throughout her gap year and in university. She highlights how she leveraged opportunities to connect with other creatives during this process.  Most importantly, Danielle gives us the inside scoop on how to craft your portfolio and feel confident in your work when submitting your application!  Topics Discussed Danielle’s gap year experience and how it played an instrumental role in helping her decide what to pursue in post-secondary. The importance of proactively finding opportunities to connect and network with other creatives and ways you can do this. How to curate an authentic art portfolio that best reflects you as a creative (and getting this reviewed on National Portfolio Day)!  The opportunity to get personal feedback and advice from Danielle through her FREE service, Virtual One-to-One Admissions Appointments.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode dcoleman@ocadu.ca https://admissions.ocadu.ca/visit/portfolio-clinics Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call   Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association   Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Calling all 2022/23 Gappers! With your gap year in full swing, there may be some challenges surfacing. Perhaps you’re having trouble with organizing your tasks and events, or maybe you're overwhelmed by your gap year finances, you may even be struggling to make a decision.   But don’t worry, because in today’s episode Michelle shares how you can fix these mistakes to have the most EPIC gap year possible!  Remember, CanGap is here to support so don’t miss out on the amazing resources or the opportunity to book a FREE 30 minute call so we can help you on your journey.  Topics Discussed The top 3 gap year mistakes of 2022.  How to develop a healthier relationship with saving vs. spending your money.  Implementing organization systems that will help you manage your time and be on top of your gap year game!  Michelle’s decision making mantra; “there are no wrong decisions BUT there are also no right decisions - the only mistake is to NOT make a decision.”    Resources Mentioned In This Episode Check out our valuable episode on Funding and Budgeting for your gap year!  FREE Downloadable Gap Year Tools and Resources Gap Year Gameplan  Gap Year Accelerator 4-Step Gap Year Planner Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

On today’s episode, Michelle is joined by Almeera, university student and part-time employee at CanGap! She has been part of the team for over 3 years and began her journey working as a co-op student. She’s sharing how she was able to turn a co-op placement into a paid opportunity and dives into valuable advice for gappers and students who are in a similar position.    Michelle and Almeera also go behind the scenes and unpack what it’s really like working for CanGap, along with hearing what projects and resources are Almeera’s favourites!    Topics Discussed Almeera’s favourite resources that CanGap offers, including the Gap Year Podcast, the Gap Year Gameplan and Post-Secondary Decision Guide.  A behind the scene on what it’s like working at CanGap and the skills Almeera has developed throughout her time with us. Advice on how to turn a co-op position into a paid opportunity and steps students should take to be successful with this.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode The Gap Year Podcast The Gap Year Gameplan The Student of Leadership and Humanity Award Post-Secondary Decision Guide Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Did you hear?! CanGap’s Gap Year Frosh Week is right around the corner and it is the PERFECT opportunity to kickstart your gap year!    In this episode, Michelle walks you through the 3 EPIC nights filled with opportunities to meet new friends, participate in activities and workshops, and hear from our phenomenal keynote speakers, whose stories will ignite so much passion and excitement! Not to mention, you have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in prizes!    Grab your FREE Gap Year Frosh tickets at cangap.ca/frosh and join us from September 13 to 15 from 9PM - 12AM EST. We can’t wait to see you there!    Topics Discussed What is Frosh Week and how it is the ultimate way to enter into the new chapter of your life!  Things you can expect from the CanGap Frosh Week, including;  How you will be able to build a supportive community of fellow gappers and friends. Connect to valuable resources and gain access to various gap year programs.  Participate in insightful workshops that cover topics such as planning your gap year, building your art portfolio, and entrepreneurship.  Opportunity to win thousands of dollars in prizes!    Resources Mentioned In This Episode   Get your FREE Gap Year Frosh tickets at https://www.cangap.ca/frosh  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call   Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association   Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

You’ve got 12 months, or maybe even just a semester. So, what’s the secret to making sure your gap year is purposeful, fun and memorable? In today’s episode, we’re spilling the beans as we share our newest program: Gap Year Accelerator! Michelle dives into the three phases of Accelerator, common challenges gappers face and how Accelerator supports in implementing solutions. She also explores one of the most exciting outcomes of the program - earning the International Student of Leadership and Humanity Award! This award consists of 7 micro-credentials that help gappers expand their skills and get international recognition for their growth and achievements. Drive your gap year forward by listening in to learn more!   Topics Discussed Gap Year Accelerator: What is it and how it works Exploring the 3 most common gap year challenges and how Accelerator supports gappers through these obstacles.  What to expect during months 1 -3: Power Prep What to expect during months 4 - 8: EPIC Execution What to expect during months 9 - 12: Readiness & Reintegration The Student of Leadership & Humanity Award framework and a sneak peek into the 7 core program pillars. What to expect from our 3-day Toronto and virtual bootcamps   Resources Mentioned In This Episode The Gap Year Accelerator https://www.cangap.ca/accelerator  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call   Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

In today’s episode, we invited a very special guest, the incredible Jazzmine Raine, CanGap’s Community and Communications Manager. Jazz shares her inspirational life story and experiences with us. From learning about grassroots development in Ghana to co-founding India’s first zero waste guesthouse, Hara House. She takes us through the ups and downs of her journey and reflects on the valuable lessons she learned and how they shaped who she is today.    Together, Michelle and Jazzmine discuss how a gap year can play a fundamental role in developing your personal identity and being able to explore interests, passions and gain valuable experience and skills, specifically through the lens of travel, and how taking a gap year will give you the opportunity to do this. Buckle up, because Jazz takes us for a spin around the world!    Topics Discussed Jazzmine shares her travels from around the world including places like Ghana and India, and how this allowed her to see life from different perspectives and brought forward humanitarian and environmental issues in developing countries.  The nonlinear path to starting her own social enterprise and what skills she needed to build and maintain her organization.   Honest reflection on post-secondary education and what role it played in Jazzmine’s journey.  The importance of pursuing your interests, saying yes to opportunities and being able to adjust and adapt in different situations.  Gap years are a powerful tool to expand your skills, explore the world around you and gain experience to carve your own unique path.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode Contiki - Group Travel & Adventure: https://www.contiki.com/en-ca  Play Pump Case Study https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2010/07/01/the-playpump-what-went-wrong/ Post Secondary Decision Making Guide https://www.cangap.ca/decision-guide  Hara World https://www.haraworld.com  Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call   Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Supporting students on gap years is everybody’s responsibility, including higher education institutions - especially when it comes to mental health and well-being.  In today’s episode, we invited Mike Stroh, founder of Starts With Me, and Steven Kavaratzis from the Ted Rogers School of Management, to discuss what pushing pause looks like for post secondary students. They analyze current trends and external factors, such as academic validation and lack of support, and how these can foster a toxic relationship between students and school. Furthermore, they explore the role of institutions and how they need to step up to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of their students.  Topics Discussed The importance of institutions supporting students through to graduation and providing resources to encourage mindfulness and wellbeing.  What pushing pause looks like for post-secondary students and the gaps that need to be filled to make this process a fulfilling and positive experience.  Exploring the statistics and trends when it comes to mental health and wellness with post-secondary students.  Should academic performance be prioritized over mental health and wellbeing? Are institutions providing adequate resources to encourage students to take care of their mental health? Resources Mentioned In This Episode Mike’s mental health consultancy Starts With Me  Connect with Steven on LinkedIn  Prioritize mental health on your gap year with The Gap Year Accelerator Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ  

Taking a gap year truly opens the door to thousands of possibilities! Some common ones you probably have heard include traveling, volunteering, or exploring personal passions. However, have you ever heard of someone working to save money to buy their parents a house and increase their income from $0 to $83k?!  In this episode of the podcast, the incredible Karan Agrawal shares his story of persevering through challenges and having the courage to make the decision of taking a gap year. We dive deep into everything Karan accomplished during this time, what is the “Gap Year Mindset” and benefits of taking a gap year for personal and professional development.  Topics Discussed The deciding factors that lead to Karan’s gap year. How Karan grew personally, professionally, financially and emotionally.  How a shift in mindset can lead to an even more successful gap year. All of the possibilities and opportunities that are available to Gappers.  The importance of talking to an expert about your gap year (which you can do with us, book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call)!    Resources Mentioned In This Episode Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

This episode is for all of the parents out there! When our kids don’t know what to do, they look to us as parents, but what if we don’t know what to do either?! A gap year is uncharted territory and that is why we are here to support you and your child during this exciting yet nerve wracking time. Michelle Dittmer, your resident gap year expert, shares her guide on how to effectively support your young person during their gap year and transition into adulthood. She discusses the importance of vulnerable conversations and her formula to support your child when they are facing challenges.  This episode is packed with valuable advice and resources that you can access to further support your family. Topics Discussed Parenting a teen who is transitioning into adulthood is not easy, learn how you can overcome this challenge while still supporting your young person. How to show your kid you support them, using your actions and not just words.  Why having vulnerable and open conversations is the best way to build trust between you and your child. Learn Michelle’s 4-step formula to help your child overcome challenges. Learn about the Gap Year Gameplan, one-on-one coaching and many more resources that will support your family.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode Crucial Conversations: Family Edition Join our Parent Facebook Group! Check out this incredible read: How to Talk so Teens will Listen & Listen so Teens will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish Access the Gap Year Gameplan: https://www.cangap.ca/gameplan Get support to light up your gap year and learn more about our gap year coaching packages! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/ Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/ Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ