metro >> on the cover

Going For
The Gap

High school seniors are increasingly
choosing gap year programs over
starting college.

Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Some of Freya's classmates from Frankel
Jewish Academy (FJA) in West Bloomfield,
including Josh Sider of Huntington Woods
and Polina Fradkin of West Bloomfield, were
already enrolled in the Kivunim program,
and Freya received frequent updates on their
studies and travels via Facebook and email.
"She's always had a desire to travel and see
things:' her father said. "Once she started
school, those feelings became more intense.
She really felt like she was missing out:'
Gothelf said the travel and the Jewish-
focused studies were big selling points. The
program is based in Israel,
with trips to 13 countries.
Learning Arabic has been
a highlight for Freya, who
has an interest in Middle
East reporting. She was
able to defer her admis-
sion to MSU's College of
Communications Arts and
Ron Gothelf
Sciences, where she plans
to study journalism after
she returns.
She appreciates the time she spent at MSU
because it solidified her decision regarding
the gap year.
"I think I needed to prove to myself that
if I was extremely dedicated, I could excel
in all of my classes, and I did:' she said. "It
assured me that taking a gap year wasn't an
escape, but a necessary time to see what was
out there:'
Josh Sider deferred his admission to
University of Michigan to participate in the
Kivunim program.
"I wanted to spend a year where I would
be learning and getting some experience
that will benefit me for the rest of my life he
said. "Kivunim is meant for those who want
to spend some serious time learning about
Israel and other cultures, not necessarily for
those who are looking for a year to mess
around before college:'
Once the last exam is over and the gradu-
ation caps have sailed into the air, a growing
number of graduates from public, private
and religious schools are forgoing the auto-
matic route from high school to college.
Instead they are taking an increasingly popu-
lar detour on the path to higher education:
the gap year.
These post-high school, pre-college

8 January 10 • 2013

Polina Fradkin, Freya Gothelf and Josh

Sider, recent Frankel Jewish Academy

graduates, are on the Kivunim gap year
program this year, which includes much

travel. This photo is from Greece.

programs offer students a chance to travel,
study, volunteer and experience the world in
real time before settling into a more tradi-
tional track.
"It's a time in their lives before they get
started on an academic or career treadmill;
said Nathaniel Warshay of Oak Park, whose
daughter Madeleine is planning a gap year
after her graduation from Akiva Hebrew Day
School in Southfield this June. "It's harder
to take a year off later. Also, I think it helps
kids become more mature. When they start
college, they will have already accomplished
something:'
The benefits of a gap year are being rec-
ognized by more and more educators, and
high school college counselors are encour-
aging students to explore these alternative
programs. Warshay said his daughter was
encouraged by Rabbi Jeff Ney, rabbinic dean
and Israel guidance counselor at Akiva.
"He [Ney] said it should not be described
as a 'gap' but a productive year of growth and
learning; said Warshay.
Although the term "gar may imply oth-
erwise, many of these programs are far more

Gap Year Resources

Israel:

www.masaisrael.org (comprehen-
sive list)
www.beyondyear.org (BBYO)
www.kivunim.org
www.yearcourse.org

Secular:

www.goabroad.com
www.gapyear.com
www.studyabroad.com
www.projects-abroad.com
www.cityyear.org
www.americorps.gov

rigorous than a typical freshman year at a
traditional college or university in terms of
academics, travel and community service.
"I love my program:' said Freya Gothelf.
"We are exposed to tons of different and
often clashing perspectives, and it really gets
your brain working:'
Other students agree intellectual benefits
and opportunities exist that would not be
possible within a traditional college setting.
"One of the most incredible things for me
has been the opportunity to spend time hav-
ing great conversations with some very intel-

ligent and interesting people, whether it be
teachers on the program or people we have
met in Israel or abroad," said Sider. "It has
definitely helped me decide on how I want
to spend my future:'
Ella Dunajsky, FJA career and college
counselor, has seen a growing interest in
gap year programs over
the past few years.
"There's a sense of
maturity that occurs
during a gap year:' she
said. "It's an opportunity
to set aside the tradi-
tional progression from
INK\ Ali ■ 4
high school to college
Ella Dunajsky
that gives students a
chance to enrich them-
selves, gain confidence and acquire various
life skills:'
While some parents and students fear
that deferring college may hurt their future
chance for success, Dunajsky said those
fears are unfounded. In fact, the opposite
is true: Most colleges realize the benefits of a
gap year and encourage students who want
to pursue that avenue.
"Colleges see students come back and
become better contributors," said Dunajsky.
Many of the Ivy League schools, includ-
ing Harvard and Yale, have sections on their
websites devoted to gap years.
About 12 of the 56 FJA seniors who gradu-
ated in 2012 are currently enrolled in gap
year programs, and many students who
will graduate this spring are considering the
option. Madeleine Warshay estimates the
majority of the 20 students in her graduating
class will be taking gap years. Public school
students also are attracted to the option.
In addition to popular Israel programs
such as Kivunim and Young Judaea Year
Course, BBYO has introduced Beyond, a new
travel/study program offering five- and nine-
month options. Gap year programs exist in
practically any country as well.
In The Gap Year Advantage, authors Karl
Haigler and Rae Nelson found student burn-
out to be the reason most often cited for
deferring college in favor of a gap year.
"Some students have had it with academic
pressure' said Dunajsky. "A gap year helps
renew their enthusiasm for their studies and
get some real life experience before returning
to a classroom setting"

Going For The Gap on page 10

