Capstone Project
This is the final project for my senior year at Bishop Gorman. This entails research, study, and a lot of confusion about deadlines. The purpose is to research a social concern and write a paper discuss this concern. We were to form a thesis, argue the point, and decide on the final conclusion. Actually, its better explained directly from the school itself: Read the rest of this entry »
Annotated Bibliography
This document cites and explains all the sources I used in the final paper of my Capstone Project. It also includes several different additional sources to look at when thinking about the topic. The annotations give a summary and analysis of each source. The purpose of this is to explain how I know many of the facts and opinions presented in the arguments. It also gives some background to them, mostly to prove I did not make anything up. Read the rest of this entry »
Gap Year Conclusion
The journey of a gap year is a very effective way for many students to get valuable experience that will aid them in being more successful in college and their lives afterward. In this way, helping to provide funding for these experiences would also be providing for a better future society. Using a Pell grant to encourage students to take hold of this opportunity is an effective way to bring about this future. Although a Pell grant is not the only way to inspire and offer support to these students, other options include loans or other scholarships, the vital point is that this option is being provided to those who need it. These options will cost money of course; pulling from the existing reserves in the Pell grant program, but in the long run will improve results in college and even prevent the students from needing more aid later on. The possibility of a gapper abusing the support given is also greatly decreased when the time is planned out and thoughtfully executed. While there is yet to be extensive research on the effects in America, there will be ample chances to continue to monitor the effects of this program and possibilities for expansion. This is why the U.S. Congress should amend the Higher Education Act to include the option for students to receive a Pell grant to fund a gap year.
What other lessons?
When people are simply given something, it can be hard for them to use it responsibly. Because they have not worked for what they have received, they do not feel as though it is truly theirs, leading to a lack of ownership over that something. However, when one feels that they own something, either because they worked for it or earned it by other means, they tend to be much more caring and responsible about how they handle it. During a gap year, one important lesson a student will learn is the significance of that feeling of ownership. Read the rest of this entry »
What about the Society?
One of the greatest opportunities for a student on a gap year to take is the opportunity to serve and do work for those less fortunate. This work is often done through a religious organization such as the Catholic Gap Year organization. It is greatly encouraged because it helps the student become familiar with the cultural differences in the world. It also teaches about the structures of society and how people can work together to perform better. The experience helps the gapper understand the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity as well as the importance of work to the human nature. Read the rest of this entry »
What are the costs?
The United States and the United Kingdom have been two very close nations for some time in many ways. They both have similar economies and ideals in government. Similarities eveninclude many of the students and young people. Many youth from the two nations exchange with each other and live in the others nation to experience the schooling of each other’s country. This similarity is especially important when considering the journey of a gap year. With the numbers of students in the U.S. who embark on a gap year rising, and the U.K.’s numbers are already high, this shows a strong similarity in the activities and abilities of the students. The encouraged use of this experience in the U.K. and their experiences with the value and monetary return of it shows that the U.S. should fund such practices as well. Read the rest of this entry »
Why not a Gap Year?
“How much does it cost” is a question often asked when talking about big life plans; even more so when it is about something of which little is known. When students want to discuss taking a gap year, both they and their parents are immediately concerned about cost. What will it cost? Is it worth it? Where will we get the money? If Pell grants were to provide money, the last question is answered, but the first two are still quite unknown. Because education in the United States is already underfunded, congress cannot pass this modification that will further reduce the funds of education to those in need. Read the rest of this entry »
What are the effects of a gap year?
One of the biggest questions considered by students and parents when discussing the decision of a gap year: “is it worth it?” This same question will be scrutinized by those looking at amending the Higher Education Act to include funding for gap years. Of course this is a very reasonable concern as many people see a gap year as a vacation and not as a learning and development experience. “They need a specific goal” not just a vacation because it is no use to just “ramble.” (Lindsey) However, when organized properly with strong goals, the use of a gap year is effective at improving and developing both the abilities of the “gapper” as a student and their life after college. Read the rest of this entry »
What is a Gap Year?
“What do you want to do with your life?” is a question presented to most high school seniors as they are applying to college; however, many of these students do not have a clear idea of what they want to study. This issue has been facing learners for decades. One solution to this problem has been to simply do research on what careers are out there, but for many this is not enough. Another solution is the tradition of the gap year. Defined by Holly Bull, a gap year is “a period of time that people use to explore areas of interest” and has become more prominent in recent years. (Kern) Read the rest of this entry »
BTAndersen 