In 2015 Greta Schaaf graduated from a public high school in northern Virginia. 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.”

 

Learn more about Americorps here. 

 

If you have a question for Greta send it to Lisa@EverBetterU.com and I'll get it to her!