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Gap Spring Semester 2011 Chile

Gap year students kayak the famous Seven Teacups

Video produced by Kyle Bisset for his video class.

Your video and photo projects will be at destinations like the Seven Teacups. Here you will learn to master your boof and produce your own videos.

Parent Testimony

“Our son Kevin’s experience was life changing.  It allowed him to mature beyond his years both academically and personally.  We believe the school directly affected his college acceptance and financial aid offers.  The dedicated and talented instructors were excellent role models and kept him on task.  The daily kayaking and living experience with NRA has become a great part of his success in college.  He came out of the program with the ability to plan his workload and effectively accomplish his goals in challenging settings.  We thank you again, and recommend the NRA experience as an academically and financially rewarding choice for alternative learning.”

-Jeff and Lisa Ryan Columbia, South Carolina

Cultural experiences, making new friends and applying yourself is priceless.

Can I still apply? Yes, check out the"Easy to Apply Application."

Dates: January 14 to March 21, 2011

Arrivals & Departures: Once you apply our travel agent will secure your flights to and from Chile.

Tuition: $13,800

Discount Offer: Apply prior to April 15, 2010 and receive a $1,000 discount.

Enrollment Tip

You still have questions before you can make a decision to apply.  The best way to make a well informed decision is to go ahead and email or call with your questions.  David Hughes will warmly answer your questions and offer you parent contacts who have agreed to share their experiences.  David Hughes- hugeh2o@yahoo.com or c 304-640-1001.

Driving Patagonia's famous Carretera Austral to southern Chile may change your life perspective.  Gap year prepares you for life.

Kayak Gap Year is the student choice for "Best Post-Grad Program."

Yes, we know applying to gap year is not what your parents had in mind. But once you do your research and give them a solid presentation even you may be surprised by the productive benefits.

Chile Gap Year Goals

The objectives are to prepare you to enter a university, to teach each student-kayaker how to travel and arrange international logistics, to be a part of a leadership program, to immerse yourself into a Spanish culture and language education, and to experience Chile.

“Gappers” are actually trained on the same level as New River Academy employees. This includes planning international logistics and planning daily meals. That´s right you will actually negotiate lodging, arrange transportation, plan parts of your trip, and make a meal plan. Many of these skills adults well into their thirties have not mastered.

View Gap Student Blogs "David Gorski´s Blog"

"Katie Kowalski´s Blog"

Three Areas of Development: Academics, Leadership, and Adventure

Academics include the following development areas:

1. Spanish Immersion-  Students have the option to receive college credit via the Seattle Central Community College/NRA Gap affiliate program.
2. Video or photo- Students may take one but not both.  Many students depart this course with professional skills and later become published.  Patagonia is a photogenic area of the world.
3. Independent Study-  Choose a subject or area of something you have always wanted to learn.  You may choose an English refresher, to learn to play guitar, or to earn college credits via a correspondence course.  You take the course and your instructors implement the structure.

Leadership Component is a daily progression.  Each program begins with an emphasis of safety via a rescue course.  Leadership students are taught the same training program as New River Academy staff.  This is real life scenarios including planning meals, shopping for meals, who cooks...  You will also be given a budget and trained how to negotiate the big three logistics:  food, lodging, and transportation

Adventure is at every turn of your Chile semester. Daily you will be coached kayaking, but you will kayak so much that you will need days off. On these days you will plan and participate in alternative adventures like canyoneering, visiting hotsprings, service learning projects, trekking, and hiking Volcan Villiarrica.

Apply now and check out our "Easy to Apply Application."