The mission of Let’s Get Global is to encourage and assist young people from every segment of the U. S. population to have international experiences, especially during the period between high school and the next phase of their lives. It is called a Gap Year, but it can also be a semester or a summer.

After 13 years of sitting in classrooms, many students are not ready for the academic and social challenges of college and the job world; 30-50% of students drop out of college.  An interim Gap Year experience provides experiential education beyond the classroom, free from the competitive pressure of grades and the college admissions process.  Returning Gappers are more focused, confident, and flexible; and they have developed an international perspective so crucial in today’s global economy.

LGG is encouraging leadership-building through experience, value-development through immersion, and understanding and respect through international interaction. Many high school and college exchange programs and organizations share our vision and serve the cause of “citizen diplomacy.” Our shared message needs to be broadcast widely.

We live in a global economy, but only about 30% of Americans have passports, and only 15% travel beyond the North American continent. The top 500 U.S. companies earn half of their total revenues in foreign markets. To continue as a world leader, the U.S. needs a work force that has experienced the world and learned to respect cultural differences.

Unfortunately, most high school students and their parents have never heard of a Gap Year and fear of the unknown and worry about cost will be major obstacles.  Another concern is the perception that students will fall behind their peers by starting college a semester or a year later. Increasingly, evidence shows that a gap program might actually decrease the cost of college and assist in finding a great job.

Let’s Get Global was formed to promote Gap Year in the United States. A key component of our program is this website, a central online clearing house that informs student participants, their parents, educators, and communities about the Gap Year option….all the tools are here to give you the information you need to make intelligent decisions regarding How to Plan a Gap Year, Talking with Parents, Gap Year Programs, Raising the Money, and College Deferrals.

We suggest that college-bound seniors apply to college, get accepted, and then ask for a deferral. Most colleges will grant deferrals, and high schools will not lose the “credit” for getting their graduates into colleges.  We’re also encouraging Gappers to do service programs, get involved in research, go to school, work, create journals, design art, music, photography, and theater programs while living with host families…get the most out of learning in another culture.

Many programs already exist and we anticipate that there will be more as demand grows. LGG is not a program; we are supporting existing programs and encouraging new ones.

We know that most Gappers will need to work and raise money to contribute to their trip. We’re here to help and have lots of ideas on our Raising the Money page.  Our vision is that thousands of high school graduates will cross borders and share lives! The individuals, the country, and the world will be better off.