Common Questions

The concept of a gap year originated in the United Kingdom during the 1960s and has since become quite popular in the U.S., Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It refers to time taken off between the end of high school and before entering college, time typically spent working or volunteering abroad. In the last few years the popularity of taking a gap year has risen sharply in the United States and for good reason; as college becomes the norm for an ever-increasing number of high school graduates, these students and their parents are realizing the importance of experiences outside the insular culture of often highly competitive schools.

A gap year gives students a broader outlook on life, helping put their education in perspective and positively shaping the way they approach college. Students have the opportunity to break out of their shell, be challenged by the world around them, and learn to be critical thinkers. A gap program gives students a chance to explore their interests in an educational setting away from the pressures of school, while building character and giving back to the world in a meaningful way. Many colleges offer a deferment option for those taking a gap year.

An ARCC Gap semester is an extraordinary experience. An ARCC Gap Semester offers a unique blend of experiential education in the field, deeply meaningful service work in partnership with local communities, authentic cultural exposure and rich immersion, a progressive leadership curriculum designed towards personal growth and maturation, and incredible adventure in some of the most fascinating places on Earth. ARCC’s years of field experience in every corner of the globe have given us a unique perspective on project-based learning. For 40 years, ARCC has built personal relationships in the communities we visit, facilitating our students’ experience by getting off the beaten path and providing a truly authentic immersion experience.

Students choose to enroll in gap semester programs for a variety of reasons. If any or all of the following ring true to you, ARCC could be a great fit for your gap year!

Many have deferred college, but want to explore various interests and passions before committing to a major.

Others are exhausted after four intense years of high school and know they will benefit from a recharge before starting all over again in college.

Some have applied to their top schools but didn’t get in, so are using their gap year to gain more experience and set themselves apart from their peers before reapplying for the following year.

Yet others feel they are too young to start college right away and deal with all the pressures associated with being a college freshman. They (or their parents) know they could use some maturation.

Still others — often those interested in art, music or theater — may be wondering if the conventional college route is even right for them and want to head off to do something exciting in the fall before diving directly into their field of interest.

Some have spent 1-3 semesters at college already, and are considering a transfer or want to get hands-on practical experience before finishing their studies.

A gap semester is a wonderful option for any student facing these situations or asking these questions of themselves.

Most ARCC programs are perfectly appropriate for students who have little or no international experience. Throughout the program, your instructors will help you with the basics so that you feel comfortable with all the activities. We can teach you anything you need to know. For certain activities, such as rafting or SCUBA diving, we have additional guides to help with instruction.

To be eligible, students must have graduated from high school and have completed no more than one and a half years of college. Our students range in age from 17 to 20 years old.

ARCC has Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) which is applicable to all ARCC Gap students. You can read ARCC’s EEC here.

Yes. ARCC Gap Year Programs are for students between 17-20 years old. It is not uncommon for students who have done one to three semesters to join ARCC on a Gap Semester.

Yes, ARCC Gap is for students between 17-20 years old. As long as you’ve completed high school you are eligible for an ARCC Gap Semester.

ARCC Gap students come from all over the U.S., and sometimes farther afield. ARCC gladly accepts international students. That being said, the majority of ARCC students tend to come from the US. If you’d like to speak with a student from your area, let us know and we will be happy to send along references.

Each group is made up of 8 – 13 students between 17-20 years old.

Each ARCC Gap Year program of 8-13 students is led by two instructors. In addition to these instructors, we also enlist local guides and expert partners for the service and educational programs and for our adventure activities such as rafting, surfing, sailing, and SCUBA diving to ensure the highest level of safety and instruction.

ARCC Gap Year Instructors are exceptional educators with the experience to ensure safe and quality programming. They are generally chosen from the best of ARCC’s summer staff and have the maturity, teaching ability, and endurance to keep the program on track and their students motivated for a semester. Their backgrounds may range from service with the Peace Corps, to teaching full time in a high school, to a graduate degree in international development, to an extensive resume of leading international programs. All of our instructors have one shared commonality: an enthusiastic character with a love for teaching young people about global issues.

Every ARCC Gap Instructor participates in ARCC’s comprehensive 8-day summer Staff Training, as well as ARCC’s 7-day gap specific training. In addition, all ARCC Gap Instructors are required to complete a Wilderness First Responder certification, which is an 80-hour advanced medical training course just below an EMT certification. This certification is beyond industry standards.

Our instructors are outstanding individuals who are committed to providing an unforgettable semester that enriches their students on a daily basis. ARCC instructors inspire, motivate, mentor and set a positive example that lasts far beyond the end of each student’s gap year experience. We are proud of the fact that they are conscientious, caring adults with a sense of humor and an ability to teach.

A major component of ARCC Gap is the group experience, so we generally encourage students to attend independently. However, attending with a friend is permitted with the understanding that exclusive behavior is not permitted. If you do attend with a friend, instructors will encourage you both to interact with the entire group and not just with each other. You may start the program in separate sleeping arrangements or separate cook crews. This is done with the intention of building a positive group dynamic in which everyone feels welcomed and included.

Absolutely! We are happy to give you contact information of people who have done ARCC programs in the past. Please call our office and we can provide you with as many references as you’d like. Close to 100% of all ARCC participants volunteer to serve as references following their program.

Yes! ARCC offers semester programs in the fall and spring semesters and we love having alumni students on our programs!

We recommend that you apply to colleges during your senior year while you have all the resources on hand (guidance counselors, SAT prep assistance, your friends are all doing it, etc), and then defer acceptance.

That being said, some students wish to apply/reapply during their gap year. We are happy to assist here, though advanced planning is strongly recommended to ensure materials and letters of recommendation are completed on time. Please note that internet will not always be available while on an ARCC program. Students have found that highlighting their ARCC experience can greatly improve their college application.

ARCC does not tolerate the possession or use of illegal drugs or alcohol, or the use of prescription drugs not prescribed to you. If a participant is found possessing the above, or engaging in one of these activities, the participant will be sent home immediately at their own expense. In such an event, no refunds will be granted.

In accordance with the “Tobacco 21” legislation signed into law on December 20, 2019, amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act, and raising the federal minimum age for the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21, students on ARCC gap semesters will not be permitted to purchase, obtain, possess, or consume tobacco products. This includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, vape pens, and e-cigarettes.

At no time is the smoking of marijuana permitted. Marijuana is considered a drug and a violation of this rule will get a student sent home.

If you are sent home for any of the above reasons, ARCC will not grant a refund and you will be responsible for any costs incurred by ARCC to get you home. This may include hotels, ground transportation, and flight change fees.

ARCC has a zero tolerance police for bullying or discrimination of any kind (verbal or physical), including but not limited to racism, sexism, and homophobia. Any of these actions are grounds to be sent home from an ARCC program, and no refund will be granted. 

In terms of romantic relationships on program, ARCC’s policy is that romantic relationships are only permitted between group members, but not with anyone outside of the group. All relationships must be honest, consensual, safe, and private. It goes without saying that romantic relationships between instructors and students is strictly prohibited. 

No, ARCC Gap does not pay commission to any US referrals to our gap year program.