5 reasons parents worry about gap years (and why they shouldn’t)

High school seniors and undergraduate students may find themselves at a time in their life where a Gap Year experience would be perfect for their personal and professional goals. But sometimes one of the roadblocks to pursuing this dream is their parents not agreeing with this type of decision. Well parents, we get it. There’s lots to worry about and any deviation from the norm for your child can seem like the wrong move. But, we are here to tell you why your biggest worries are not actually worries. 

1)  Gap Years are way too expensive, how can I justify the high cost?

Yes, some Gap Year experiences can cost just as much (or more) than a semester of college courses. But, our Forfar Marine Science Program is inexpensive considering what the program offers. Students leave with 5 professional, internationally recognized certifications, hours of hands-on marine field skills they can add to their resume, volunteer experiences with local nonprofits, and 6-weeks of personal growth to last a lifetime. Not to mention, the program cost includes all food, lodging, transportation on island, lab activities, and roundtrip in-country flights. Plus, how can you put a price on life-skills? 

If that wasn’t enough convincing , IFS even developed a need-based Scholarship Fund for students. 

2) Isn’t a gap year a waste of time?

In 2020, employers are looking for experience over grade point average or the typical linear academic path. They want to know if you can think critically, respond well to unique stressors and challenges, and what type of creative edge or personality you can bring to the team. All these are skills cultivated from experiences students gain outside the classroom and in a  6-week Gap Year experience. Soft skills are marketable now more than ever and help candidates stand out on competitive interviews. 

There is not only one way to be successful. Experiences allowing students to learn in the field and have experiences they would have nowhere else in the world can help foster their drive for success. Getting outside your comfort zone and developing a new sense of confidence and self-awareness makes a stronger impact than memorizing facts for an online test.

Any experience that contributes to a student’s professional and personal growth is not a waste of time, especially one designed to do just that.

3) Will my child never go to college because they opt to take a year off from traditional schooling?

Studies have found that 90% of students return to college after completing a Gap Year. Not only do the students return, they often perform better than those who did not take a Gap Year. 

Taking a Gap Year allows for the stressors of institutional education to fade, allowing students the chance to see what they enjoy learning and what areas they want to focus on without being forced upon by an outside source. “60 percent reported the time off had either inspired or confirmed their choice of career or academic major” said Karl Haigler in her book The Gap Year Advantage. Being a life-long learner is not something that can be taught but it can be cultivated in the right setting where exploration and curiosity are at the forefront. 

Experiences outside the classroom can help students develop a real passion for their studies and give them the motivation needed to persevere  in the face of challenges once they return to college. It also gives them a chance to avoid burnout, a reason many choose a Gap Year before Medical School. 

4) How will my child excel academically without the structure of college?

Like most Gap Year experiences, the Forfar Marine Science Program has a strong academic component with structured lectures, homework, and quizzes and optional college credit. 

The academic experience students have at Forfar Field Station involves the ocean as a classroom or lectures followed immediately by in the field activities to strengthen their understanding. This type of hands-on reinforcement helps keep students academically sound and increases their interest in learning outside of the bounds of a room in a school building. 

Living away from parents and peers, this experience also lends itself to learning how to be responsible for completing school work on time and learning how to study most productively. The marine field skills courses, 5 professional certifications, and classes held each week are sure to keep students academically inclined while in the program. 

5) I’ve read all the news about COVID-19, how do I know it will be okay to travel?

Safety is the first priority of International Field Studies, the nonprofit that runs Forfar Field station. IFS has been running field study experiences to Forfar for over 50 years and is well versed in the safety measures needed to create a safe learning environment. IFS understands how to respond to unprecedented events and make the best decisions for everyone’s safety as evidenced by our previous temporary closing of the station in March-June, 2020. Preparing for better days ahead this fall, IFS fully intends to run the Fall 2020 cohort of the Forfar Marine Science Program and has developed new cleaning and safety measures for all students and staff. 

IFS would alert students right away if the travel dates changed or there was a program update. With the uncertainty of COVID-19, we understand no one knows what the world will look like in the coming months so our student refund policies have been rewritten to benefit Forfar Marine Science students and guarantee full money back if travel is not permitted. 

We hope you will join us in planning for a better future this fall and taking the step to secure an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience for your son or daughter.

More details on Forfar’s response to COVID-19 can be found here.