A Podcast Interview with Holly Bull

Holly Bull, President of the Center for Interim Programs, was recently interviewed by a college resource:

Lisa Marker Robbins at Flourish Coaching

Enjoy this informal conversation about gap year benefits, stories, process, and more... 

Taming the High Cost of College (Podcast)

Holly Bull, President of the Center for Interim Programs and Gap Year Counselor for over 30 years, was recently interviewed by Brad Baldridge in this podcast from October, 2021 covering the gap year and gap time.

Tips On How to Vet Programs from Interim's Director of Research, Kate Warren

The specific experience I want to share from my 21 years as Director of Research, is the important vetting process of researching gap year program provider websites, often the first step for anyone interested in learning more about gap years. This information will ideally help as you prepare to look at websites. I say “prepare” because the better prepared you are with an understanding of how to vet options, the more savvy you will become about honing in on options of most interest by establishing a sound basis for comparing programs and organizations for quality and best fit. Time spent in preparation will make you a smarter and better consumer and will make for a successful and rewarding gap experience, or series of experiences. 

There has been a steady increase in numbers of US students embarking on gap years which is now sanctioned by an increasing number of colleges and universities allowing deferrals. In tandem with that increase is an explosive emergence of gap year program providers. I recently performed a simple search for “best gap year programs,” “gap year programs for high school students,” and “gap year volunteer programs” with a staggering result of 157-351 million hits. To get a sense of how far the gap industry has grown, by comparison in May 2017 when I presented at the Gap Year Association Conference in Denver, the same search yielded just a half million to 22 million hits, which most of us in attendance thought was staggering!

So where and how do you start to vet and choose program options?

At Interim, in performing due diligence on program websites to identify those programs we may want to share with our families – which is my first step as gatekeeper of Interim’s vast database of vetted options – I allow, on average, 3-5 minutes to answer two key questions:

1. How easy or difficult is it for me to find who, what, where, when, cost? 

2. Is the information clear, concise, compelling, and communicative?

Once I have identified an option that successfully passes that initial test, I move on to the second and most important phase of my responsibilities: performing due diligence to be sure the program is legitimate and trustworthy. You might implement a similar initial test with your specific two or three key questions using a finite amount of time in which to find the answers. 

The second phase of my vetting process is much more time-consuming and requires not only looking at the site but also personal phone calls and/or Zoom chats, as well as staff site visits to programs which we do every year.

Keep in mind that each program type – facilitated group programs, skills-building intensives, internships, and volunteer options - all require a unique subset of due diligence questions – however, they all share my TLC Test. For me, failing any one aspect of the TLC Test sends up a ‘red flag’ and most often ends my interest in the option as a possible addition to our data base.

The goal in performing my TLC Test is to gain a level of comfort and confidence in recommending a provider to students and families. And remember, all the answers to these questions should be easily found on the website. Familiarize yourself with the answers you are able to identify in order to formulate a series of clarifying questions to ask when you reach out to engage in a conversation with the provider. It will provide you with the opportunity to dig deeper into what is shared on the website.

The most important component of my TLC Test is Transparency. Is the information provided in an honest, straightforward manner?

Some of the questions that may be helpful include:

• Who are the principals? 
• Does the site provide direct contact information, an email address other than “info@” a telephone number? 
• Are the principals involved in the day-to-day operations? 
• How far removed are they from what’s happening on the ground? 
• Do they operate as a corporation? An LLC? A nonprofit? 
• Can you find the Terms & Conditions? 
• Is the cost revealed? Do they share what’s included? Not included? Are there additional costs?
• What is the refund policy?
• Is the site current? When was the last update?
• Do the internal links work? 
• Is the information current?
• Is there a comprehensive Menu that directs to you the specific information you are looking for?
• Can you easily locate the FAQs?

When looking at Legitimacy, I’m looking to see if the provider is reputable, do they have a favorable standing in the experiential gap industry? 

Some questions that may be helpful to you might include:

• Are they licensed to do business by any state, federal, or educational entity?
• Is there a Board of Directors? An Advisory Board?
• Is the program accredited?
• Are they members of recognized professional organizations? If so which organization?
• Is there operational outside oversight?
• What affiliations and or partners have they established?
• Can you find favorable press?

Online reviews can be somewhat helpful but often can be biased. If you find negative reviews, my recommendation is that you reach out and ask for a corporate response and what, if anything, they have done internally to address the issue. 

When I’m testing for Competency, I want to know about leadership skills and professionalism, experience, and training.

Your list of questions might include:

• Can I “Meet the Team?” by reading biographies that include educational and specialized training certifications? 
• Years of experience in the field?
• Can I see a photo to put a name to a face?
• Can I reach members of the team directly by a personal business email address or direct telephone number?
• Is the Executive Director accessible to me? How long has he/she worked for the organization? Where did he/she work previously?
• How long has the business been in operation?
• What qualifications are required of staff to work with students?
• What type of training is provided to staff who work directly with students?
• Is there a Code of Ethics?

Prior to embarking on your research of program providers, create a checklist, your own TLC TEST, a series of questions that are most important to you so that you can perform your own due diligence. Listen to your gut. Watch for the red flags. 

There are several very helpful resources to aid in your research that include vetting/accreditation bodies committed to standards of excellence and principles and practices as guidelines for good programming and have stringent criteria requirements such as the Gap Year Association, the Year Out Group, and the International Volunteer Association. 

Working with an accredited gap year counselor can definitely be beneficial in helping your family plan and navigate gap time. At Interim we have already done this program vetting for you as well as heard directly from students who have recently attended options you are considering.

Successful 2020-21 Gap Experiences in the Face of COVID-19

   

Despite virus restrictions and concerns this year, Interim students have successfully stepped into hands-on programs with peers this past fall, as well as currently this winter/spring. As illustrated by some recent student photos above, they have engaged in cultural study, outdoor adventure, and service experiences in Hawaii, the mainland US, Europe, the Caribbean, Israel, and Central America. The small size of gap programs allows for easier quarantining of students, and the ability to monitor health and safety throughout a program. Gap year program providers deserve huge kudos for continuing to offer options to students in the face of the unknown and responsibilities involved. 

Feedback from students and parents has been consistently positive with many expressing relief  and gratitude over an in-person social life and no more sitting in front of a computer.

We here at Interim have been involved in the gap year field for over forty years and it's remarkable to witness how well it has continued to work in the face of a pandemic. Even with a more limited array of options compared to a normal gap year, the benefits of taking this kind of time are evident: resting and rejuvenating, garnering independent living skills, exploring potential interests for a college major or career, building a resume, and having the flexibility to adjust plans as needed. Rolling with change is a definite skill and we are all getting fine training in it this year!

For the coming gap year, we envision even more options available for students as vaccines take effect. There is no reason why students can't continue to explore their interests and the benefits of a half-step into the world, before heading on to college or other plans they may have in mind. One thing is certain, gap time allows students to practice being independent and proactive about their lives beyond traditional school settings.

Despite COVID-19 Gap Year Students are Enjoying Fall Experiences

 

We just received this great photo from one of our students currently finishing quarantine with a group of fellow gappers on a Welsh farm before heading to Italy. What is gratifying to know as we hear from students and program staff this fall, is that quarantines are working even if socially challenging, and our students are enjoying on site experiences in the company of fellow students in Ireland, Europe, Israel, Hawaii, the mainland US, and soon Costa Rica. 

There have been several positive tests but these cases have been mild and the students have been able to heal on site with support from staff and rejoin their program activities. The gap year program providers have done a truly extraordinary job of preparing for this anomaly of a year and supporting students, parents, and fellow staff  members. 

Gap years are all about facing new experiences and challenges and learning how to roll with change. Our hats are off to our many students and parents who are engaging in this especially intense process, despite the fears and concerns of this particular year. Based on what we currently know, we feel confident that our students will be able to continue exploring interests, hands on, into the winter and spring.

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Health Resources & Effects on the Gap Year

(This post contains sections on Safety, 3 Response Scenarios, & Articles)

Safety:
Interim's primary concern is the safety of our students. Given the current situation with COVID-19, we are monitoring the most informed news about it so that we can share the best information with our families.

The following resources provide reliable and timely sources of information:
The Center for Disease Control
The United States Department of State
The World Health Organization for International Travel and Health
The National Association of International Educators
The EPA released a list of Sanitizers for Use

For updated travel restrictions by country:
IATA - International Air Transport Association 

3 Scenarios in Response to COVID-19 Potential Restrictions:

We understand that families are concerned about COVID-19 and its effects on the current gap year. It is difficult to know for certain what the landscape will be like into spring 2021 and we have outlined three possible scenarios and how it is possible to respond effectively given the range of available options:

1. Ideal Options: If students are eager to attend programs out of the US, they apply and see how things go in terms of travel restrictions - this has worked well this fall with students able to attend programs in Ireland, the UK, and Israel, and some are about to step into October programs in Costa Rica.
2. Backup Domestic Options: Students also apply to US-based program(s) which can range from group gap year options, to shorter skill-based intensives, a few internship options (tougher to find in the US for gap year students), and finally volunteer placements - we have many students this fall on group programs in Hawaii and the mainland US as well as engaged in conservation projects, business and physical therapy internships, and gaining Wilderness EMT training.
3. Backup Backup Options: Our  ORL (Online Resource List) of over 100 links include courses of all kinds, internships, volunteer work, seminars and certifications, arts, fitness, etc. These options can be utilized as filler, if need be, and allow students to buy time if they have to quarantine again before stepping into the next hands-on experience - most of our students have understandably preferred hands on experiences this year, if possible, but some have utilized online entrepreneurial workshops and internships, language or computer training, and volunteer options.

One great gap year benefit, especially this year, is how much flexibility is involved with swift and easy changes in plans as needed. Program variety allows students to still engage in interesting experiences as they wait to see how the world landscape unfolds, and with increased freedom of movement, they can turn on a dime to step into options further afield. Gap year learning is all about rolling with change and the challenge of becoming comfortable with shifting plans, whether due to internal or external factors. Our current situation with this virus definitely poses one of the more challenging external pressures for change, but we are already witnessing this fall that it is possible to successfully carry on nonetheless with the above array of potential adjustments and options.

Articles:

LATimes (7/16/20) - benefits of taking a gap year this particular year and some of the options and resources available:

https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-07-16/college-students-gap-year-best-way-outwit-coronavirus

Chronicle of Higher Education (5/19/20) - see updated list of college decisions about fall classes:
https://www.chronicle.com/article/Here-s-a-List-of-Colleges-/248626

Bloomberg Businessweek (5/15/20) - Holly Bull, Gap Year Counselor at Interim, quoted in this article on the economic implications for this year's gap year:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-15/the-covid-19-college-gap-year-exposes-a-great-economic-divide

Stay healthy and well,

Holly Bull & Kate Warren
Center for Interim Program Gap Year Counselors