What's the best way to continue studying during a gap year? Are there programs that let you earn college credits or certificates during this time? I'd love to keep learning even if I'm not in a traditional school setting.
There are quite a few programs that allow you to continue studying and possibly earn college credits during your gap year. While some are tailored to specific interests, others are more general.
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) offers various gap year programs where you can study abroad in countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, and more. Also, CIEE actively works with colleges to make sure college credit can be awarded, though this depends on the rules of your specific college.
Another option to consider is taking online courses or MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) via platforms like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy. You can find courses across a vast array of academic disciplines, often taught by professors from top universities around the world. Some of these platforms offer certificates upon completion of a course or sequence of courses, which could be valuable on your college application or resume.
If you’re interested in community service, you might look into programs like CityYear, which allows you to work in partnership with a US city public school system. While this program doesn’t offer traditional academic study, it does offer an opportunity for experiential learning.
Lastly, if you're interested in language learning and cultural immersion, the United States Department of State offers the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program, which is a fully-funded overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students. There might be age and educational restrictions for these programs.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to keep in mind that college credit policies can vary greatly, so it's essential to check if your future institution is likely to accept the credits from your chosen program.
Remember, a gap year is a great time to explore your interests and gain different experiences, so don’t feel you have to stick strictly to programs that offer college credits!
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