NOLS Outdoor Gap Year

One thing’s for sure, I would not have been the same person if I had just gone to college after high school. As a college student now I realize just how sweet the whole NOLS experience was. I personally think if everyone took a NOLS trip sometime after high school, the world would be a better place.

Away from technology, social norms, and societal restrictions I felt free, and excited for life at all times. That is a feeling that I will never forget and one that I will continue to strive for throughout my life… I truly believe that my NOLS course was the turning point in my life, and I emerged from it a better person in every way.

A NOLS course provides an excellent transition from high school to university because it is a generous gift of time and adventure to reflect on where you have been, who you are, and who you would like to become. Its challenges require personal growth, especially in teamwork and other interpersonal skills. It requires students to disconnect from their digital world for an extended period, providing space for them to come to know and appreciate our national world.

Parents have concerns about their children going off to college, and having an intermediate step for kids is a good thing… They are better prepared for adversity and challenges in life because they’ve experienced adversity and challenges at NOLS.

Away from technology, social norms, and societal restrictions I felt free, and excited for life at all times. That is a feeling that I will never forget and one that I will continue to strive for throughout my life… I truly believe that my NOLS course was the turning point in my life, and I emerged from it a better person in every way

Life will keep showing me new challenges and testing my values, my strength, my focus. NOLS reminded me that most of what I need already exists within me, if I can get out of my own way to let it be free.