Do you enjoy working with kids, would love to stay with a host family abroad, are up for adventure AND looking to make some money? Maybe becoming an AuPair is a good fit for your gap year experience!
Natalia joins Michelle on the podcast to share…
If you are feeling lost or stuck about which direction to take your career, this episode is for you!
Sarah, career coach and founder of Careergasm, shares totally valuable tips and insight to take the edge off these decisions and get you on the right…
“How will we teach in a post-pandemic Canada?” asked VoicEd Radio to educators.
Michelle Dittmer, a former high school biology teacher and now Gap Year expert, took intentional time to really think about the how. And in this episode, she’s sharing…
Imagine this: it’s a beautiful afternoon in late August and school is just around the corner. Suddenly, an opportunity comes along inviting you to work at a start-up downtown Toronto researching Quantum Computer and there’s an awesome apartment lease…
Claire Bennett is the CoFounder of the organization Learning Service: Rethinking Volunteer Travel and the author of Learning Service: The Essential Guide to Volunteering Abroad. In this episode, she shares her valuable insight to having a ethical,…
Madelyn Steed, the Board Member and Co-Founder of the CanGap Association shares how her Gap Year came about and her developmental experience with Katimavik. The exploration and experiential learning she did through her time with Katimavik set her life…
One of the worst feelings ever is FOMO, the fear of missing out! For many gappers, September is one of the most difficult times, you see your friends move into nice dorms, make new friends and have these memorable experiences! However, this is just a…
When we think about exploring different cultures, oftentimes we think about places outside of our Canadian border, places like Santorini, Greece; Tokyo, Japan; or even Sydney, Australia. However, taking a step back, there are so many places that are…
Most grade 12’s are presented with 3 options for Post-Secondary. University, College, or the Workplace. However, are these the only viable options for students? What about taking a gap year, and using this time to learn more about yourself, your…
What is the value of a gap year? What do you “get out of it”? How do you communicate all of the amazing ways you have grown & changed and the things you have learned? How do you show the world hours of stories in a way that they can understand it? …
Do not miss out on today’s episode as Michelle explains the signature program at CanGap, the Gap Year Gameplan. This is the solution to help you on your gap year journey. With over 10 years of experience all condensed into one impactful year, this is…
Imagine being at sea, on a Pirates of the Caribbean Esque Tall Ship, surrounded by marine wildlife, exploring the natural wonders of the world, visiting new countries, meeting new people, hearing their stories and perspectives on life. In this…
Have you read the NYT article all about that blah feeling we are all having these days? It’s called languishing and it is REAL. It’s not depression, but it’s definitely not thriving and a lot of us are feeling a lot of this.
While this term is new…
Some people start planning their gap year in grade 9, while others don’t plan until they have been sitting on the couch for a month. So is there an ideal time to plan?
Yes there is an ideal time but no, you are never too early OR too late.
This…
The Gap Year pathway is full of fun and excitement but there are 3 common mistakes that trip up most gappers. This episode explores the top 3 and how to identify & avoid them. We will talk about improper planning, a lack of community and forgetting…
Emotional intelligence is the hot skill every employer is looking for right now. In this episode, Michelle Dittmer speaks to the Founder of Entry Learning, Morgan Toane, about how to develop emotional intelligence.
Learn more about Entry Learning…
Taking a gap year is bold, which also makes for a hard decision. In this episode, Michelle Dittmer shares the common trends she’s been hearing on why some families are hesitant on taking a gap year and why some are leaning towards one.
Full Show…
Not every gap year looks the same. In this episode, Michelle Dittmer speaks to Abby Taylor about her farming gap year during COVID-19.Full Show NotesFree Gap Year Information Session
Go abroad with your remote internship. In this episode, Heilwig Jones, Co-Founder of Kaya Responsible Travel reveals how gappers can get clarity on their career path through a remote internship, while also making a difference for a community across…
If you want to take a gap year at home or abroad, this is your sign to do it. In this episode, Jenni shares her gap year experience in Australia and how it shaped her and definer her career. Learn more about ContikiConnect with Jenni on InstagramJoin…
The best way to support your kid is to partner with them. In this episode, Reni Walker, mother of three and travel lover, speaks about her daughters’ gap year experiences, how they transitioned back into university and how Reni supported them through…
A gap year will set you apart in university and in your future job search. In this episode, Andrew Skelton, a first-year math professor settles some gap year hesitations and shares the differences he sees in his students who take a year off. Full Show…
Coming from different backgrounds Alex and Rhys were unlikely friends, but were joined together by the same gap year program, which transformed their lives. In this episode, Alex and Rhys now on their second gap year share their experiences and…
Your post secondary decision is a big one, but it won’t define your future. In this episode, I’ll change the way you look at this decision and share tips on how to relieve the stress associated with it.Book a call for more helpFind out if a gap year…
From dumpster fire to silver lining, 2020 has been a rollercoaster. In this episode, Michelle Dittmer shares how to use Kolb’s experiential learning theory to unpack 2020 and plan realistically for 2021. Full Show Noteshttps://www.cangap.ca/
Carol Xu didn’t know if taking a gap year would be the right decision, but she did it anyway and has no regrets looking back. In this episode, Carol shares how and why she decided to take a gap year, what she’s been up to and what she’s learned so…
Telling your parents you want to take a gap year can be the hardest part about your decision and can make for a very difficult conversation. In this episode, Michelle Dittmer, President of the Canadian Gap Year Association takes you through all the…
Doors will blow wide open for you when you take action during your gap year.On this episode, Cory Herc talks about how youth can make an impact on their community during their gap year, how to get the funding to do it, the skills youth learn and the…
Before even considering a gap year, people are held back by this idea that taking a gap year is expensive and out of reach, but in reality the price tag on a gap year can really range and it can be affordable! In this episode, I share steps and tips…
When Nazra Noushad asked herself who she wanted to be in 10 years, she determined a gap year would help her become that person. In this episode, Nazra shares why and how she chose to take a gap year, how she told her mother, the opportunities she had…
Every kid is different and so is their journey. Not everyone is meant to pursue post-secondary education right after highschool; a gap year could be the best decision you ever help your kids make. Take Mary Boynton’s experience for example, she is the…
A gap year goes beyond the backpackers you see on Instagram travelling the world. It takes guts to step away from a “normal” path, but you will be that much closer to your goals by doing so. In this episode, I define the reality of a gap year vs. the…
Kayne Boyall is a Climate Champion, passionate about the environment and speaks to us all about how to take action. He talks about climate action, sustainability and some ways you can make your gap year more Earth-friendly. He shares about how he…
Sam Demma is a 20-year-old gap year alum and motivational speaker, podcast host of the High Performing Student and entrepreneur. Sam will be sharing his full story along with some tips and ticks for making an impact on your very own gap year at Gap…
Azmain is taking a gap year starting in September 2020. He just graduated from high school in Calgary, Alberta and decided that taking a year off was the best decision for him. He speaks candidly about making the decision, what he plans on doing and…
Many gappers want to volunteer on their gap year or feel like they should volunteer. Volunteering is a powerful way to use your gifts and talents in new ways, to build your experience and your resume and to find a sense of purpose. Lily shares how to…
We are in the final countdown before school starts. In previous years there was excitement and preparation, but many families this year are still in the uncomfortable and unwelcome position of deciding on next year’s plans – to go or not to go back…
As futurist and host of Tilt the Future Podcast, Karena current observes trends and signs in the world around us in order to see what the possible futures might look like. She doesn’t predict the future but rather uses current data to imagine what…
Deciding to take a gap year or not is no small decision. CanGap has been supporting families all throughout COVID and I wanted to share some of the common things that families should be considering as they make this choice. We have heard these thigns…
There is so much going on right now that it can feel overwhelming.The weight of realizing how much help the world needs can feel very heavy. There’s no denying that. But it’s also inspiring. People across the world are coming together to march. More…
With the deadline for accepting post-secondary admissions getting closer, families are becoming more stressed about what the right decision is for fall 2020. In this episode I share the red flags that pop up in conversations with families that show…
Story Time: Max Brauch started back at Concordia University in the fall of 2020 after his gap year that was built on getting experience, earning money, networking and building relationships and a bit of travel. He speaks about how he got clarity for…
Right now families are coming closer to the deadline for making post-secondary decisions but most are lacking critical information as to what the post-secondary experience will actually be. Yes, there will be classes and profs and learning but will it…
By now, we are all tired of hearing about COVID-19. We’re all wishing we could go back to normal, forget this ever happened and get on with our lives. While this is true for everybody, wishing to get past this, the feelings of wanting to just forget…
Because of COVID-19, everybody is experiencing some level of trauma. It might sound scary – trauma is a big word, and something we don’t often talk about. But with everything that’s happening right now, it’s important to discuss it and how it may…
Tim Tamashiro’s Ikigai is “to delight” – it is the reason he gets out of bed every morning and he wants you to live a life knowing your own Ikigai. But what is an Ikigai? Our next podcast guest will tell you all about it!Tim is the author of the…
James spent his gap year working in hospitality and retail while taking the time to shift his focus into finding a pathway forward. He shares how his high school self wasn’t serious about academics and how his gap year helped him to mature, made him…
Gap Years aren’t all about travel. Despite what Instagram and media coverage of a-list celebrities and royalty might tell you, most Canadians don’t spend their entire gap year traveling. They will usually spend between 2 weeks and 3 months…
COVID19, also known as the coronavirus, took over the world in March 2020, and because of it, many gappers have had to cancel or change their travel plans unexpectedly. While it may be the responsible thing to do for many reasons – for personal safety…
After being removed from it for a little bit of time, we can forget how many major stressors and transitions happen in the late teenage years. Beyond just the physical and hormonal growth, there are huge social changes that come with the transition…
I love to talk about this topic because it is one that keeps parents and teens up at night.Parents often approach me saying “my kid isn’t mature enough”, “they aren’t going to be ready” or “they just need some more time”. Students say similar things…
Lynn Trevesan is a mother of two girls, now 18 and 15 years old. But when her oldest daughter was reaching the end of high school, Lynne noticed that she wasn’t quite ready for post-secondary, despite being mature for her age and identified as a…
While you’re probably looking forward to what your gap year has in store, there’s probably still some nerves about things you don’t know yet. Will you get into my university program after my gap year? Do you have the skills to travel? Is it going to…
Everywhere I go, I hear incredible stories about gap years. Whenever I’m at different fairs or conferences, people come up to me to tell me how great their gap year was. I can’t count the amount of times I hear, “I took a gap year, and it was the…