"I definitely would have been fine if I went straight to college, but this experience developed me and helped me thrive in college in ways that I never expected before I took my gap year."
Gap Year Radio host Julia Rogers chats with Abby, an ARCC Gap alum and current aerospace engineering student, and her mom, Elena, about Abby’s incredible year of exploration and growth.
From volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, to navigating East Africa’s rugged terrain, to road-tripping through 10 National Parks, Abby’s experiences shaped her confidence, independence, and readiness for college and beyond.
Elena shares her perspective as a supportive parent, offering tips on researching programs, addressing common concerns, and empowering independence. Together, they discuss scaffolding gap year experiences, overcoming challenges, and why a gap year is valuable for all students, including high-achievers who know what’s next.
Listen to the Podcast Episode to Learn:
🌍 How Abby’s gap year journey unfolded across Thailand, East Africa, and the U.S.
🛫 Why structured programs like ARCC Gap helped build her confidence for independent travel.
📣 Elena’s advice for parents: how to research gap year programs and support independence.
📚 How Abby’s gap year shaped her mindset for college and prepared her for a career in aerospace engineering.
🌟 The value of “being bad” at something–and how it fosters resilience and growth.
Explore all our ARCC Gap Semester Programs
🎧 Listen to more Gap Year Radio episodes at gapyearradiopodcast.com
@gapyearradio @enroutegapyear
*Intro/Outro Music: Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License