On March 4, students met in the Palo Alto High School library for Gap Year Information Night. The purpose was to show students and parents how others benefited from gap year, a time between high school and college where studies are suspended for time to be spent learning life skills and responsibilities. “Attending a presentation on gap year will allow one to look at the variety of opportunities available,” guidance counselor Linda Kirsch said. “There will be ample time to ask questions that the panel of presenters can respond to so you can decide if this is right for you.”

The presentation was presented by a panel of different guests. “Gap year is an opportunity to explore interests, learn about the world, other cultures,” event coordinator Alice Erber said. The programs ranged from hiking in forests to going to a foreign country to learn its language and culture. There are also other options like internships that can be done during gap year.

Besides having students talk about their experiences with gap year, outside resources for more information was also provided. Speaker handed out flyers from programs like AmeriCorps and LeapNow. “We have a panel of five agencies that offer programs,” Erber said. “We introduce the evening and then the representatives talk. Just Google ‘gap year’ and there will be hundreds of programs. College and career centers have files with program materials.”