Kaya Dlouchy is studying abroad in London, England

“I got accepted into a program within Northeastern University  where students get to travel abroad for their first semester of freshman year. I get to explore a whole other country and it’s only my first year. They make the program so that you not only study what you need to learn for your major, but so you can learn about the country you’re going to and understand their culture as well. Originally I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to leave the state, so I just pushed myself to do something I’m not comfortable with. I’m going to be away from my family for three to four months in another country. I won’t have the ability to see them when I want which is absolutely terrifying, but I think this experience will just make me more independent.”

Marissa Motsinger is attending Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry

“My faith and religion have always been the most important things in my life, and college never really felt like a good choice for me. I just thought ministry is something… I feel called to do right now. I go to a church that believes in supernatural things … I’m going to be taught how to perform miracles and minister to people in a supernatural way like praying, healing and prophesying over people. [I’m looking to gain] a deep sense of spirituality and relationship with God. It’s the best thing you can do to serve the Lord and grow as deep as you can in that. [Gap years] make you interesting; it makes you stand out. Getting experience through anything improves your life. Experience is huge for all kinds of paths you could take.”

Calvin Chang is enlisting in the U.S. Army

“I chose to take this path for the adventure and camaraderie. I also have plenty of family history in the military, and at this point, it might as well be tradition for me. … This will be a productive time for me [because] instead of taking a gap year, I’ll be paying for my college, my retirement and a lot of stuff at once. I’ll be giving myself an adventure possibly around the world and I’ve never left the country [before]. I have no problem with school; school is great. I’d like to do college at some point, but this will help me financially, morally and maybe even spiritually. It will help me find myself and [will] motivate me to find the thing I really want to do, so I can dedicate myself to something and further myself. I’d like to be able to call myself a soldier one day. It’s a pretty cool title as well as I’d rather be able to say ‘I’ve been there done that’ rather than ‘I wish I did that.’”

Justin Abello is attending San Pedro College in Davao, Philippines

“I was born [in the Philippines] so I already have a citizenship there, so there won’t be many complications going to get an education there. Education here is a lot; there’s a lot of money involved. I lived there for 10 years, however I didn’t really develop all the culture there. For me, I’ve only lived in America for three to four years. I like it here but when [I go back] I really want to [learn] more about my ancestry. I’ve always had a really close attachment with it, so being able to dwell back in it is really fulfilling for me. In my childhood, I never got to indulge myself in how society works there rather than here. For me it’s more of a personal thing rather than a convenience.”