As this school year comes to an end, many seniors are thinking about what their next move is after high school. For seniors Molly Cooke, Izzy Kreider and Matt Stein, the plan for next year involves them going out of the United States and embarking on a journey to Israel. These students have decided to take a gap year, a year off after high school and before college, in order to explore a new experience and culture themselves before moving onto the collegiate level.

“I chose Israel because I’ve been there before and it truly feels like home,” Stein said. “Also, more so than any other country I’ve visited, I identified with not just the physical part of the place but the people as well.”

There are various types of programs that are offered to everyone who wishes to take a gap year in Israel. The programs range from studying in different parts of the country to getting an understanding of what a typical Israeli soldier does.

“I will do volunteer work within my program on my study abroad,” Kreider said. “We also have the option to do Israeli army training or work in the medical field of the Israeli army.”

Finding information to get their journey started, Cooke had an easy experience. Masa Israel is a public service organization founded by the Prime Minister’s Office of Government. The program includes volunteering and career development classes for Jewish teens.

“I heard about my program, Masa Israel, through other Jewish teens,” Cooke said. “Once I knew the name of it, I looked up information online to get a better look at the program. In Masa Israel, I’ll be volunteering while getting an education within the Israeli culture.”

Special requisites could be a part of the program one would sign up for. Along with keeping up with the requirements, two sessions that are either five or four months are involved in some of the programs these students choose.

“To be accepted to the program overall requires a 3.0 GPA minimum,” Kreider said. “You also need recommendation letters for both sessions.”

Moving out of the country for a year has the potential to be a life changing experience, however, leaving home comes with a lot of adjusting to new routines and activities.

“What I am most nervous about is meeting new people,” Cooke said. “Moving out of the United States by myself and doing almost everything independently is also pretty nerve racking.”

Taking a gap year could help one find their true self and discover more about who they are. Clarity could also arise on what the student would like to do in the future.

“I don’t know enough about myself to be able to go into college and make decisions that will affect the rest of my life,” Stein said. “I would rather spend a year learning more about the world and myself so I get an understanding of what I want to pursue when I go to college.”