Aug 26, 2016
In 2015 Greta Schaaf graduated from
a public high school in northern, VA. She had applied to, and been
accepted at, University of Delaware but she didn’t feel quite ready
to make that transition.
Taking a gap year wasn’t an option
that was widely discussed at her high school but she followed a
hunch that it might be a good path for her and attended a gap year
fair. Representatives from various programs were discussing options
involving travel and adventure and some very large price tags.
Americorps didn’t have a table at the fair but someone there
suggested that she look into it.
Greta did her research and learned
that Americorps is a one year volunteer program that pays
participants a stipend, a modest scholarship, and offers the
opportunity to earn college credits. Greta applied for a
program on the west coast, and after some frustrating bureaucratic
delays that she describes in the podcast, was accepted.
Through AmeriCorps, Greta has been
able to travel, see the world, and work with amazing from across
our nation. The skills that she gained during that time are sure to
serve her well as she now prepares to begin her college
career.
Greta has a family connection to the
Ever Better Podcast. Lise Metzger, Greta’s mother, was my guest on
podcast episode 26, Grounded Photographer. Lise is a photographer
and writer who documents the lives and work of women farmers on her
blog, GroundedWomen.com. In our podcast discussion, Lise talked
about her daughter’s gap year and the great experience she was
having. That piqued my interest because my son is a high school
senior, so I pay close attention when someone discusses the paths
that students are taking after graduation. In fact, if you know of
someone who is considering post-high school options, send them a
link to this podcast so that they can learn from Greta's
experience.
Listen to the podcast to hear Greta
discuss:
Her decision to take a gap year and
the leap of faith that guided her to Americorps
Diversity in Service Learning
credits that she earned that will apply at U. Delaware
Accepting the program on short
notice
Packing everything she would need
for ten months into a green military bag, a couple of hours before
catching her flight to California
How AmeriCorps is
structured
Why the travel and the focus on the
environment made the National Civilian Community Corp (NCCC) a good
fit
Environmental stewardship projects
including:
Removal of invasive
species
Cleaning habitat areas
Learning about the drought in
California
The San Jose “Keep Coyote Creek
Beautiful” Project as well as her interaction with the “Downtown
Streets Team,” which helps the homeless transition into housing and
job
The way that AmeriCorps pays
individuals for their project work
How her team pooled their money to
shop for food
Learning about budgeting and food
shopping
Why her dad says “You look so much
older. You’ve gained so much experience. This year has been so good
for you.”
Her mom’s initial concern that she
would not want to go to school after this experience
Why some colleges are recommending a
gap year
Long-term contacts and networks that
Greta gained through AmeriCorps
Greta's plans to do another
AmeriCorps program after college
Quotes from Greta:
“I am so glad I got into
AmeriCorps!”
“I am ready for school now. I wasn’t
really ready last year.”
If you have a question for Greta
send it to Lisa@EverBetterU.com and I'll get it to her!
Contact Lisa:
@EverBetterU