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The Gap Year Podcast
The Gap Year Podcast episodes
- Building a Portfolio on Your Gap Year - Tips from the Creative Pros
Are you looking to apply to an arts and design school but don’t know where or how to start? Does crafting your portfolio, writing your application or even networking with other creatives feel intimidating?
Well, you are in luck! In today’s episode, we invited Danielle, an OCAD Alum and recruiter. She shares her journey pursuing art during highschool, throughout her gap year and in university. She highlights how she leveraged opportunities to connect with other creatives during this process.
Most importantly, Danielle gives us the inside scoop on how to craft your portfolio and feel confident in your work when submitting your application!
Topics Discussed
- Danielle’s gap year experience and how it played an instrumental role in helping her decide what to pursue in post-secondary.
- The importance of proactively finding opportunities to connect and network with other creatives and ways you can do this.
- How to curate an authentic art portfolio that best reflects you as a creative (and getting this reviewed on National Portfolio Day)!
- The opportunity to get personal feedback and advice from Danielle through her FREE service, Virtual One-to-One Admissions Appointments.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- https://admissions.ocadu.ca/visit/portfolio-clinics
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
42 min - Biggest Gap Year Mistakes of 2022 (and how to beat them)
Calling all 2022/23 Gappers! With your gap year in full swing, there may be some challenges surfacing. Perhaps you’re having trouble with organizing your tasks and events, or maybe you're overwhelmed by your gap year finances, you may even be struggling to make a decision.
But don’t worry, because in today’s episode Michelle shares how you can fix these mistakes to have the most EPIC gap year possible!
Remember, CanGap is here to support so don’t miss out on the amazing resources or the opportunity to book a FREE 30 minute call so we can help you on your journey.
Topics Discussed
- The top 3 gap year mistakes of 2022.
- How to develop a healthier relationship with saving vs. spending your money.
- Implementing organization systems that will help you manage your time and be on top of your gap year game!
- Michelle’s decision making mantra; “there are no wrong decisions BUT there are also no right decisions - the only mistake is to NOT make a decision.”
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Check out our valuable episode on Funding and Budgeting for your gap year!
- FREE Downloadable Gap Year Tools and Resources
- Gap Year Gameplan
- Gap Year Accelerator
- 4-Step Gap Year Planner
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
24 min - How to turn an internship into a paid gig with Almeera
On today’s episode, Michelle is joined by Almeera, university student and part-time employee at CanGap! She has been part of the team for over 3 years and began her journey working as a co-op student. She’s sharing how she was able to turn a co-op placement into a paid opportunity and dives into valuable advice for gappers and students who are in a similar position.
Michelle and Almeera also go behind the scenes and unpack what it’s really like working for CanGap, along with hearing what projects and resources are Almeera’s favourites!
Topics Discussed
- Almeera’s favourite resources that CanGap offers, including the Gap Year Podcast, the Gap Year Gameplan and Post-Secondary Decision Guide.
- A behind the scene on what it’s like working at CanGap and the skills Almeera has developed throughout her time with us.
- Advice on how to turn a co-op position into a paid opportunity and steps students should take to be successful with this.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- The Gap Year Podcast
- The Gap Year Gameplan
- The Student of Leadership and Humanity Award
- Post-Secondary Decision Guide
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
33 min - Everything you need to know about Gap Year Frosh Week 2022
Did you hear?! CanGap’s Gap Year Frosh Week is right around the corner and it is the PERFECT opportunity to kickstart your gap year!
In this episode, Michelle walks you through the 3 EPIC nights filled with opportunities to meet new friends, participate in activities and workshops, and hear from our phenomenal keynote speakers, whose stories will ignite so much passion and excitement! Not to mention, you have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in prizes!
Grab your FREE Gap Year Frosh tickets at cangap.ca/frosh and join us from September 13 to 15 from 9PM - 12AM EST. We can’t wait to see you there!
Topics Discussed
- What is Frosh Week and how it is the ultimate way to enter into the new chapter of your life!
- Things you can expect from the CanGap Frosh Week, including;
- How you will be able to build a supportive community of fellow gappers and friends.
- Connect to valuable resources and gain access to various gap year programs.
- Participate in insightful workshops that cover topics such as planning your gap year, building your art portfolio, and entrepreneurship.
- Opportunity to win thousands of dollars in prizes!
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Get your FREE Gap Year Frosh tickets at https://www.cangap.ca/frosh
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
12 min - How to make the most of your gap year with Gap Year Accelerator
You’ve got 12 months, or maybe even just a semester. So, what’s the secret to making sure your gap year is purposeful, fun and memorable? In today’s episode, we’re spilling the beans as we share our newest program: Gap Year Accelerator!
Michelle dives into the three phases of Accelerator, common challenges gappers face and how Accelerator supports in implementing solutions. She also explores one of the most exciting outcomes of the program - earning the International Student of Leadership and Humanity Award! This award consists of 7 micro-credentials that help gappers expand their skills and get international recognition for their growth and achievements.
Drive your gap year forward by listening in to learn more!
Topics Discussed
- Gap Year Accelerator: What is it and how it works
- Exploring the 3 most common gap year challenges and how Accelerator supports gappers through these obstacles.
- What to expect during months 1 -3: Power Prep
- What to expect during months 4 - 8: EPIC Execution
- What to expect during months 9 - 12: Readiness & Reintegration
- The Student of Leadership & Humanity Award framework and a sneak peek into the 7 core program pillars.
- What to expect from our 3-day Toronto and virtual bootcamps
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- The Gap Year Accelerator https://www.cangap.ca/accelerator
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
18 min - Gap Year Travel: A story of social entrepreneurship with Jazzmine Raine
In today’s episode, we invited a very special guest, the incredible Jazzmine Raine, CanGap’s Community and Communications Manager.
Jazz shares her inspirational life story and experiences with us. From learning about grassroots development in Ghana to co-founding India’s first zero waste guesthouse, Hara House. She takes us through the ups and downs of her journey and reflects on the valuable lessons she learned and how they shaped who she is today.
Together, Michelle and Jazzmine discuss how a gap year can play a fundamental role in developing your personal identity and being able to explore interests, passions and gain valuable experience and skills, specifically through the lens of travel, and how taking a gap year will give you the opportunity to do this.
Buckle up, because Jazz takes us for a spin around the world!
Topics Discussed
- Jazzmine shares her travels from around the world including places like Ghana and India, and how this allowed her to see life from different perspectives and brought forward humanitarian and environmental issues in developing countries.
- The nonlinear path to starting her own social enterprise and what skills she needed to build and maintain her organization.
- Honest reflection on post-secondary education and what role it played in Jazzmine’s journey.
- The importance of pursuing your interests, saying yes to opportunities and being able to adjust and adapt in different situations.
- Gap years are a powerful tool to expand your skills, explore the world around you and gain experience to carve your own unique path.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Contiki - Group Travel & Adventure: https://www.contiki.com/en-ca
- Play Pump Case Study https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2010/07/01/the-playpump-what-went-wrong/
- Post Secondary Decision Making Guide https://www.cangap.ca/decision-guide
- Hara World https://www.haraworld.com
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
35 min - Exploring Post-Secondary Gaps for Student Success with Mike Stroh and Steven Kavaratzis
Supporting students on gap years is everybody’s responsibility, including higher education institutions - especially when it comes to mental health and well-being.
In today’s episode, we invited Mike Stroh, founder of Starts With Me, and Steven Kavaratzis from the Ted Rogers School of Management, to discuss what pushing pause looks like for post secondary students. They analyze current trends and external factors, such as academic validation and lack of support, and how these can foster a toxic relationship between students and school. Furthermore, they explore the role of institutions and how they need to step up to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of their students.
Topics Discussed
- The importance of institutions supporting students through to graduation and providing resources to encourage mindfulness and wellbeing.
- What pushing pause looks like for post-secondary students and the gaps that need to be filled to make this process a fulfilling and positive experience.
- Exploring the statistics and trends when it comes to mental health and wellness with post-secondary students.
- Should academic performance be prioritized over mental health and wellbeing?
- Are institutions providing adequate resources to encourage students to take care of their mental health?
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Mike’s mental health consultancy Starts With Me
- Connect with Steven on LinkedIn
- Prioritize mental health on your gap year with The Gap Year Accelerator
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
42 min - The $83,000 gap year story with Karan Agrawal
Taking a gap year truly opens the door to thousands of possibilities! Some common ones you probably have heard include traveling, volunteering, or exploring personal passions. However, have you ever heard of someone working to save money to buy their parents a house and increase their income from $0 to $83k?!
In this episode of the podcast, the incredible Karan Agrawal shares his story of persevering through challenges and having the courage to make the decision of taking a gap year. We dive deep into everything Karan accomplished during this time, what is the “Gap Year Mindset” and benefits of taking a gap year for personal and professional development.
Topics Discussed
- The deciding factors that lead to Karan’s gap year.
- How Karan grew personally, professionally, financially and emotionally.
- How a shift in mindset can lead to an even more successful gap year.
- All of the possibilities and opportunities that are available to Gappers.
- The importance of talking to an expert about your gap year (which you can do with us, book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call)!
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Get support to light up your gap year! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
31 min - Parent Series: How to support your teen on their gap year
This episode is for all of the parents out there! When our kids don’t know what to do, they look to us as parents, but what if we don’t know what to do either?! A gap year is uncharted territory and that is why we are here to support you and your child during this exciting yet nerve wracking time.
Michelle Dittmer, your resident gap year expert, shares her guide on how to effectively support your young person during their gap year and transition into adulthood. She discusses the importance of vulnerable conversations and her formula to support your child when they are facing challenges.
This episode is packed with valuable advice and resources that you can access to further support your family.
Topics Discussed
- Parenting a teen who is transitioning into adulthood is not easy, learn how you can overcome this challenge while still supporting your young person.
- How to show your kid you support them, using your actions and not just words.
- Why having vulnerable and open conversations is the best way to build trust between you and your child.
- Learn Michelle’s 4-step formula to help your child overcome challenges.
- Learn about the Gap Year Gameplan, one-on-one coaching and many more resources that will support your family.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Crucial Conversations: Family Edition
- Join our Parent Facebook Group!
- Check out this incredible read: How to Talk so Teens will Listen & Listen so Teens will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
- Access the Gap Year Gameplan: https://www.cangap.ca/gameplan
- Get support to light up your gap year and learn more about our gap year coaching packages! Book a free 30-min call: https://www.cangap.ca/call
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
21 min - Consent-based volunteering and tourism with Nora of AEI
Imagine being able to live your dreams, travel the world and volunteer with animals! Well, guess what? You can totally do that with Animal Experience International (AEI), a B-Corp organization!
In this episode, we invited co-founder Nora to share more about the unique experiences offered through AEI. Together, Michelle and Nora discuss how to find a career path that aligns with your passions and how volunteering helps you discover new passions. They also unpack how AEI helps you make memorable and rewarding experiences through their various programs and how AEI puts consent based and ethical volunteering at the forefront of all of their adventures.
So, if working with wild horses in Mongolia alongside Mongolian experts sounds right up your alley, listen in!
Topics Discussed
- Nora’s journey of finding a career path that aligned with her passions.
- What ethical animal volunteering looks like.
- Defining consent-based volunteering and tourism.
- How volunteering leads to finding new passions, interests and hobbies.
- The incredible programs at Animal Experience International.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Animal Experience International: https://www.animalexperienceinternational.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/animalinternational/?hl=en
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/animalexperienceinternational/
- Learn more about Ethical Volunteering through our podcast episode “Learning Service with THE Expert: Claire Bennett”
Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association
- Join “Gapper Connect” on Discord to connect with students thinking about a gap year, current Gappers, and alum all in one place! https://www.cangap.ca/gapperconnect
- Find more resources at the Can Gap website https://www.cangap.ca/
- Follow on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/cangapassociation/
- Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucangap
- Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ucangap
- Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ
37 min
About The Gap Year Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Explore all things gap year through stories and anecdotes by gappers, families and experts. Fun to listen to but also jam-packed with tips and tricks for making the most of your gap year. No matter…
who you are or where you are on your gap year journey, you should be listening to the Gap Year Podcast! Although it is produced for Canadians, the content is universal.