Explore all things gap year through stories and anecdotes by gappers, families and experts. Fun to listen to but also jam-packed with tips and tricks for making the most of your gap year. No matter who you are or where you are on your gap year journey, you should be listening to the Gap Year Podcast! Although it is produced for Canadians, the content is universal.
Episodes
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Today's episode is all about Maddy's incredible gap year and travel journey with Carpe Diem Education! She shares how this transformative experience helped her to become more confident, tackle her fears, discover new passions and jump start her career towards environmental conservation at World Wildlife Fund. Michelle and Maddy also discuss Carpe Diem's authentic community engagement, emphasizing experiential learning and highlighting how the gap year is a valuable investment to self-discovery and personal growth.
So, dive into Maddy's story and check out the Carpe Diem Education links in the show notes for your next adventure!
Topics Discussed
- Transformative Journey: Maddy's shift from a shy individual to a confident public speaker after a life-changing gap year experience.
- Impact of Immersive Learning: How Maddy's gap year with Carpe Diem Education reshaped her career towards conservation and sustainable travel.
- Addressing Social Anxiety: Discussing the relevance of experiential education in combating anxiety issues prevalent among youth today.
- Ethical Community Engagement: Exploring Carpe Diem's approach to community partnerships and the importance of authentic, sustainable voluntourism.
- Gap Year as Personal Investment: Highlighting the gap year as a pivotal time for self-exploration and its enduring impact on personal and professional development.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Welcome to the 100th episode of the Gap Year Podcast!! Today, Michelle celebrates this incredible milestone while reflecting on the journey of creating this podcast. She also shares personal anecdotes and her valuable insight on imposter syndrome, persistence, and collaboration, drawing parallels to the gapper journey and a message for gappers on how to overcome self-doubt, take risks, and build a supportive network during your gap year!
Come join us in celebration of this exciting milestone 🎉
Topics Discussed
- Discover how to conquer imposter syndrome and unleash your potential on a gap year journey.
- Learn the power of persistence and the value of collaboration
- Get a glimpse of exciting future plans for the GapYear Podcast, including AI integration!
- Gain inspiration from Michelle's journey, and how she's empowered thousands to embark on fulfilling gap years.
- Join the celebration and be part of the supportive community that's grown with the Gap Year Podcast.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Leave us some love on our Google and Facebook Reviews:
- 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
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Calling out all gappers and gapper parents 📣 are you leaving home for your gap year adventure either to another country or continent entirely?! While this is super exciting, it can be very intimidating and anxiety inducing.
But, you are in luck because we have safety expert Dave from Cornerstone who's going to walk us through how we can look at risk in a different way and how we can evaluate different program providers for the level of safety they're able to provide us when we are on the ground with them.
You don’t want to miss this, take a listen!
Topics Discussed
- Meet safety expert Dave and learn about Cornerstone Safety Group.
- Safety green flags to look out for in experiential gap year programs.
- Risk and Safety in 3 Core Buckets
- Understanding yourself and onboarding with the program.
- Developing support systems within your group.
- Managing events when they arise.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Cornerstone Safety Group: https://www.cornerstonesafetygroup.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
- 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
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Taking a gap year can be terrifying! You’re doing something completely different than your peers, there is so much uncertainty about the year ahead, and you may not be equipped with all of the gap year resources (check out our resources page at: https://www.cangap.ca/resources)
However, your gap year is yours to create and it can be extremely transformational! Today, one of our amazing alum, Jessica, shares her gap year journey. She was enrolled in our Gap Year GPS program, worked a variety of different jobs, travelled and most importantly, gained confidence in herself, helping her to achieve her goals!
Take a listen to Jessica’s story!
Topics Discussed
- Meet Jessica (CanGap Alum) and what she is currently up to after her gap year.
- Jessica’s gap year activities and journey, including working, moving to 2 times, and trying things she would have never done before!
- What setbacks and obstacles she encountered and how she overcame them.
- How the Gap Year GPS was a valuable toolkit supporting Jessica throughout her gap year (and how it can help you on your journey too!!)
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Gap Year GPS Program: https://www.cangap.ca/gps
- Gap Year Resources: https://www.cangap.ca/resources
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Happy New Year! Well, it’s not actually January, but doesn’t September feel like New Years anyway? A new season, new academic year and so many amazing back-to-school deals!
But this is also an exciting time for gappers, as it’s the beginning of your Gap Year! In one of our past episodes we talked about the top 3 most challenging times for Gappers, and September definitely makes the list. You see everyone around you heading off to post-secondary, getting into a new routine, making new memories, and all of this can lead you to feeling isolated and experiencing FOMO!
Your gap year shouldn’t start like this, so tune in to see how you can jumpstart your year to lead to so many successes and achievements!
Better yet, Kickstart your gap year with CanGap’s FREE gap year orientation event, Gap Year Launch. Taking place in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary September 13th and 14th. See schedule, dates and locations at www.cangap.ca/launch.
It’s the perfect event to meet other gappers, mentors, attend valuable workshops and panels and have SO MUCH FUN!
Topics Discussed
- Why September is one of the most challenging times for Gappers.
- The Top 3 Challenges faced during this time and ways to mitigate them.
- Gap Year Launch!! CanGap’s FREE Gap Year Orientation Event happening in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary both In-Person and Virtual. See schedule, dates and locations at www.cangap.ca/launch
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Gap Year Launch (FREE In-Person Gap Year Orientation): https://www.cangap.ca/launch
- The 3 Most Challenging Time for Gappers: https://www.cangap.ca/episode-93
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Has your young person ever had the idea of starting their own business, launching a youtube channel, or making a living out of their hobby and you’re not sure how to support them? Well, this episode is for you! Michelle shares her top 4 tips on how to support them in making their project ideas come alive in a way that will teach them skills and life lessons regardless of the success of the project.
To top it all off - CanGap is launching an amazing FREE program for those change-makers and resume builders, spots are limited so make sure you listen for all the details!
Topics Discussed
- We are living in a generation of changemakers who see the world and their purpose differently than before.
- Michelle’s top 4 tips on supporting your kid on this exciting journey that will allow them to develop transferable skills.
- Details on CanGap’s new and upcoming FREE program where participants are matched with a project coach and $1000 grant to get the project operational!
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
- CanGap Impact Fellowship: https://www.cangap.ca/fellowship
- Get on our Mailing List to be the first to know when applications are live! www.cangap.ca/subscribe
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
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Are you a gapper or do you have a gapping kid part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community? You are not alone and this episode is for you! A gap year is truly the perfect time for self-discovery, growth, gaining confidence and finding supportive communities (like us at CanGap!).
Michelle shares valuable resources and special considerations for travel and when looking at programs.
Topics Discussed
- Gap Years are tools for mental health and self discovery, an amazing opportunity to redefine who you are after leaving your high school experience. This is your time to set up your life for the next step.
- Special considerations for travel, navigating obstacles and resources that will make this easier.
- Resources for parents and allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
- Outward Bound Courses - https://www.outwardbound.ca/courses-for-2slgbtq-youth/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmukBhAuEiwA0zQxkx1gxJRVuuDBRBLb9rDBNYox_LrhpD2UrHp1GVUHOpNb0mAOQ9NbGhoCr8sQAvD_BwE
- PFlag Canada - https://pflagcanada.ca/yt
- International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association - https://www.iglta.org/
- @theglobetrotterguys
- @lesbetravelling
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
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
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
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!
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Friday Apr 14, 2023
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