Sample Interim Year Scenarios - "Evan"

Evan topped off a successful senior year with being accepted to the college of his choice. Although he was thrilled to get in, he chose to defer admission in order to spend some time exploring his career interests before settling on a course of study in college. He thought he wanted to be a vet but had done little more than give his cat medication. Evan also figured that this was the perfect opportunity to see the world and improve his Spanish. He spoke the language fairly well, having done a summer social service project in the Dominican Republic, but wanted real fluency. He was also drawn to the South Pacific after going on a family trip to Hawaii. Although only 18, Evan had traveled extensively with his family and school groups and enjoyed the challenge of taking on another culture. In the initial meeting, we came up with the following scenarios:

Evan decided on the latter scenario. There was, however, a snag; the vet in Costa Rica didn't want to take him, given Evan's lack of experience. Although he was also accepted at the animal sanctuary in the States, Evan was determined to go to Costa Rica. Holly Bull, having visited the wildlife center during a research trip, suggested that he try showing up and talking his way in. Armed with a handful of alternative programs in Costa Rica should the vet say "no," Evan took on the challenge and successfully convinced the vet to give him a chance. He spent the fall nursing sick anteaters and speaking plenty of Spanish.

While Evan was in Costa Rica, we emailed him a new spring option on the island of Yap in Micronesia. An old contact of ours, an American man who'd been working on alternative technology in Micronesia for twenty years, was keen on having American students come and help teach in the local schools. Evan said, "Why not?" He proceeded to spend four months on Yap living with a local family, teaching kids, wearing a loin cloth, and learning local customs and skills, particularly spear-fishing.

By the end of his Interim year, Evan was refreshed and ready for the classroom once again. Deciding on a major in college was easy. After spending time working with animals in Costa Rica, he knew that he did, indeed, want to be a vet.