One Big Idea: Carolyn Gill on a Mandatory Gap Year

If you could share One Big Idea to change the future of education, what would it be? 

In the 14th episode of Future of School’s One Big Idea series, our guest is Carolyn Gill, International and New Markets Specialist for Vista Higher Learning. Vista is a foreign language publisher and digital content provider, and Carolyn has a background in languages with a specialization in foreign language teaching. 

Carolyn shares her big idea for a national program for all students to spend 6-9 months abroad after high school graduation. During this time, students would participate in service work, be immersed in another culture, and develop new language skills. When it’s not possible to go to another country, the program could also apply domestically, for students to travel to a different part of the country, spend time in a different regional culture, and develop life skills. “Gap years” of this type are common in countries like Australia and could provide many of the same benefits to American students.

Carolyn explains how the idea would increase cultural competence, help students gain maturity by living outside their comfort zone, and even look at their own community in different ways. These skills can be applied to an academic setting in higher education or the workforce.

What’s your One Big Idea to transform education? Connect with us on social media or on our website, www.futureof.school, to share! Follow Future of School on Twitter @futureof_school.

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