Center for Interim Programs Celebrating 45 Years of Gap Year Counseling! (1980-2025)

 

 Greek Olive Tree photo by John Pack, Aegean Center

The seeds of the Center for Interim Programs began in the 1960s when Interim's founder, Cornelius Bull, began collecting program options during his many years as headmaster of schools in the U.S. and abroad. For 20 years he nurtured the idea of supporting American youth taking an "interim" period of time before starting Interim in 1980. Interim was the first independent gap year counseling organization at a time when there was no U.S. term for taking gap time and little awareness or support, even as the "gap year" was in full swing in the U.K. 

Since 1980, Interim has assisted over 8,900 individuals through their chosen gap time. Most are students between high school and college, as well as "step aways" from college, and post graduates, and we have also worked with a steady trickle of adults gappers right into their 70s (see mid- and post-career page). At this point we are working with many children of alumni, which is both gratifying and great fun!

We are immensely grateful for the dedication and care provided by each of the following Interim counselors who have helped maintain Interim's high standard of lifetime service to families: Cornelius Bull; Holly Bull; Jake Jacobusse; Joanna Lazarek; Sam Bull; Lindsay Cotter; Jane Sarouhan; Jason Sarouhan; Kate Warren. 

A special heartfelt thank you goes to Kate Warren for offering her staunch support, loyalty, and expertise to Interim since 2001. Between Kate Warren and Holly Bull (who has worked with families for 38 years), they currently provide 58 years of expertise in this unique field.

We also cannot sufficiently thank all the program providers without whom we could not match individuals with appropriate placements and learning opportunities. Gap year program providers draw a particularly fine array of people dedicated to assisting students launch into the world and into a clearer experience of themselves in the world.

Interim is also deeply appreciative of the many referrals over four decades by high school and college counselors and administrators, independent educational and therapeutic counselors, Interim alumni families, and friends. Receiving so many word-of-mouth referrals reassures us that we are honoring our commitment to tending gappers of all ages to the best of our ability.

Our commitment includes making the gap year affordable for all. Every year Interim offers the Cornelius Bull Scholarship to students who request assistance for our consulting fee, along with vetted gap year group programs that have scholarship funds, and/or low cost placements such as those that provide housing and food in exchange for one's labor. Since 2005, for example, we have given out scholarships to over 140 students.

As part of our mission to help educate people about the gap year option, we offer a free 90 minute brainstorming session with no obligation to sign on with Interim. We are also the only gap year counseling organization that does not cap its service; aside from scholarship students, anyone who signs on has our assistance for their life time.

The gap year field has grown enormously since we began in 1980 and is definitely here to stay. We are so pleased to continue assisting the many impressive students with whom we work each year -- they help us stay positive about the state of the world and keep us energized!

Holly Bull & Kate Warren - Gap Year Counselors