The Gap Year Podcast

Uncover the potential of gap years with expert Michelle Dittmer! In this podcast episode, she guides you through a month-by-month exploration plan, tackling the overwhelming choices or lack of direction in building your gap year. Embrace the unknown, take off the pressure, and focus on the next step, not the final destination. Whether you have too many interests or none, Michelle's practical tips...

Curious about gap years in Canada? They're more popular than ever, but there's still a lot of confusion and misconception around them. So, we are here to clear things up! Join Michelle, Canada’s Gap Year Expert as she tackles the age-old question: What is a gap year? Get ready to redefine the narrative and discover the true essence of this transformative experience!  Take a listen!  Topics Discuss...

Parenting through a child's university dropout can be overwhelming, but you're not alone! In this episode, Michelle offers crucial support and advice to guide you through this challenging period. Learn about the challenges of the post-secondary landscape and discover effective ways to navigate your child's decision to hit pause on education.  Whether expected or a surprise, emotions run high. Mich...

On today’s episode, Michelle Dittmer invites you to the CanGap book club, where we talk about Catherine Price’s transformative book, “The Power of Fun”, because without fun, are we really living?  Michelle deep dives into the 3 key elements, —playfulness, connection, and flow—that redefine our understanding of true fun. She also shares personal anecdotes and insights exploring how to reclaim fun i...

Attention high schoolers navigating post-secondary choices! Are you overwhelmed with the decisions of choosing a post-secondary pathway that will be right for you?  Look no further, because this episode is jam-packed with valuable advice from Michelle, as she busts popular myths, provides insightful guidance, a deeper look into the post-secondary pathways, and key resources to support you during t...

Today's episode is all about Maddy's incredible gap year and travel journey with Carpe Diem Education! She shares how this transformative experience helped her to become more confident, tackle her fears, discover new passions and jump start her career towards environmental conservation at World Wildlife Fund. Michelle and Maddy also discuss Carpe Diem's authentic community engagement, emphasizing...

Welcome to the 100th episode of the Gap Year Podcast!! Today, Michelle celebrates this incredible milestone while reflecting on the journey of creating this podcast. She also shares personal anecdotes and her valuable insight on imposter syndrome, persistence, and collaboration, drawing parallels to the gapper journey and a message for gappers on how to overcome self-doubt, take risks, and build a...

Calling out all gappers and gapper parents 📣 are you leaving home for your gap year adventure either to another country or continent entirely?! While this is super exciting, it can be very intimidating and anxiety inducing. But, you are in luck because we have safety expert Dave from Cornerstone who's going to walk us through how we can look at risk in a different way and how we can evaluate diff...

Taking a gap year can be terrifying! You’re doing something completely different than your peers, there is so much uncertainty about the year ahead, and you may not be equipped with all of the gap year resources (check out our resources page at: https://www.cangap.ca/resources )   However, your gap year is yours to create and it can be extremely transformational! Today, one of our amazing alum, Je...

Happy New Year! Well, it’s not actually January, but doesn’t September feel like New Years anyway? A new season, new academic year and so many amazing back-to-school deals!  But this is also an exciting time for gappers, as it’s the beginning of your Gap Year! In one of our past episodes we talked about the top 3 most challenging times for Gappers, and September definitely makes the list. You see...

Has your young person ever had the idea of starting their own business, launching a youtube channel, or making a living out of their hobby and you’re not sure how to support them? Well, this episode is for you! Michelle shares her top 4 tips on how to support them in making their project ideas come alive in a way that will teach them skills and life lessons regardless of the success of the project...

Are you a gapper or do you have a gapping kid part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community? You are not alone and this episode is for you! A gap year is truly the perfect time for self-discovery, growth, gaining confidence and finding supportive communities (like us at CanGap!).    Michelle shares valuable resources and special considerations for travel and when looking at programs.   Topics Discussed Gap Years...

In today’s episode, we had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Carpe Diem’s ED, Adam! Such a kindred spirit who shares his experience with travel and experiential programs.  Together, Michelle and Adam dive deep into the key skills that youth are missing whether that’s because of gaps created from the pandemic or the pressures of family and society. Exploring how experiential experiences play...

Taking a gap year can be a roller coaster of emotion and experiences. It's full of highs and lows, and each experience gives the gapper so many opportunities to learn and grow. In today’s episode, Michelle explores the 3 key times during the gap year process where gappers really struggle, when you can expect to have these challenges, what you can do to reduce the strain along with sharing a ton of...

What comes to mind when you hear the word Career? Does it evoke feelings of fear, anxiousness or overwhelm? Do you perceive it as a one time decision and then you’re locked in for the next 40, 50 maybe even 60 years?! Well, what if we told you that careers don’t have to be so serious, in fact unserious careers will actually lead you to become  healthier, happier and a more successful version of yo...

Most parents would think that if they offered their teenager an opportunity to take a gap year, they would say yes in a heartbeat! Imagine all of the exciting adventures, learning opportunities and the ability to earn some extra money - what's not to love! Well, to your surprise, some teenagers are actually reluctant to take a gap year, even if they may not be 100% ready for higher education.  Tod...

In today’s episode we invite the fabulous Jay Gosselin from Discover Year, a certified Canadian post-secondary program that fosters confidence, resilience and equips students with the skills they need to succeed in their transition from adolescence into adulthood through their one-year life skills program.  We all know the pandemic was a rocky time for everyone, but Michelle and Jay unpack the man...

Do you ever wonder what’s holding your young person back from applying for that job, trying out for the sports team or even asking that person out?  Well, in today’s episode, Michelle unpacks this powerful underlying emotion of fear. She walks us through how and why fear overwhelms teenagers when they are faced with making decisions.  As always, Michelle shares real-life tips on how to have the pr...

We asked parents about their biggest concerns with their young person taking a gap year, and across the board their top 3 answers were:  My teen will waste their time. Various financial concerns.  My teen will face loneliness and isolation.  Want to know who else had the same exact concerns? Gappers!  As parents, it’s important to recognize that things that are concerning you are also concerning y...

As a parent you always want the best for your teen, but sometimes it’s hard to see eye to eye on what the “best” is with your young person. If you want to better understand why your teen thinks and makes the decisions they do, along with why this particular stage of life is so challenging, then you do not want to miss this episode!  Michelle dives deep into the science behind it all and connects t...

Imagine if there was a website that would match you to the perfect post-secondary institution, program, scholarships and career path that is just right for you! Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?  Well, you’re in luck because in today’s episode we invited the amazing Logan Bright from SchoolFinder and Scholarships Canada who walks us through how students can utilise these phenomenal resources...

We all know post-secondary education is very expensive and a huge financial burden that students have to carry. Thank goodness for scholarships!. However, looking for scholarships, writing  beautifully crafted applications and effectively communicating your skills can be challenging! But don’t worry, in today’s episode we invited scholarship expert Janet MacDonald from MyCampusGPS, who shares her...

In today’s episode we invited the incredible Brelan, a CanGap alum who dedicated her gap year to self-growth, becoming financially savvy and going on some epic adventures! She was able to accomplish this (and much more!) by using the Gap Year Gameplan and leveraging the pillars, resources and expert support to make her gap year EPIC!  Tune in to hear all about Brelan’s exciting journey and why tak...

Finding a job, education and credentialing look very different to what it has been in the past. Ever since entering the digital era, the metaverse, digital badges and micro credentials have taken things by storm, and are something that you do not want to miss out on!  In today’s episode, Michelle dives deep into the world of digital badges. What they are, where you can earn them and how to display...

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...