Description

LEAPYEAR is an amazing blend of 3 months of guided group travel to Central and South America, 3 months of individual internship anywhere in the world, interspersed with two months of inner exploration and transformation in the U.S.

The fall semester is spent traveling with a guided group of up to 10 other LEAPYEAR students to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru. During the fall semester participants engage in intensive language training, cultural immersion, community service, environmental work, and adventure trekking.

The winter break consists of 6-7 weeks of "home time." Usually home time is spent decompressing from the intensity of the fall semester's travels.

The spring semester consists of a three-month solo internship in one of 126 countries or the U.S. The internship is chosen by the student to explore and interest or region, try on a career or learn a specific skill or language. The students select from LEAPNOW's database which offers thousands of options. Students are counseled throughout the decision process to ensure a good placement.

Each semester is bracketed by two retreats at our California campus. These weeks are dedicated to self-exploration, life path visioning, deepening of emotional literacy, formal rites of passage and generally examining one's life before getting the rest of your education. Retreat weeks form the backbone of the program.

Highlights

Students are enrolled as full-time B.A. Humanities students. They earn a full year (36 quarter credits) of lower-division college credit. The program is fully accredited, and Federal Financial Aid is available.

During the second semester students have worked with baboons or cheetahs in South Africa, learned drumming in Ghana, studied yoga or Thangka painting in India, led treks and worked with street children in Guatemala, studied kung fu and Chinese in China, worked at schools and orphanages throughout the world, made jewelry in Mexico, worked with autistic children in Vietnam, and much, much more. Past students have also used the program to complete high school.

Travel Types

• 4th World Studies
• Archaeology
• BackPacking Abroad
• Camping
• Cooking
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Geology
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Overland Tours
• Photography
• RainForest Tours
• Safari
• Student Tours
• Trekking
• Yoga
• Volunteering

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

* Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 23 at the start of the program
* Applicants must meet with one of the program directors
* Applicants must commit to integrity as a guiding principle
* Applicants must commit to the entire year-long program

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• Quechua

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

31,900

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Living stipend
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Costs include everything except personal health insurance, spending money, and national and international airfares. All other expenses for two months in the U.S., and 6 months abroad are included. Tuition also includes a full year of internship placements after graduation.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Students need to be interested both in radical outer exploration of the world, and inner exploration and transformation. You cannot do the program and remain unchanged. The time spent abroad is often challenging and involves traveling in the developing world. Previous students have come from all walks of life, though they all share the commonality of wanting to understand themselves and the world around them on a deeper level.

Age Range

17-23

This Program is open to

American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Independent living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Federal and State Financial Aid are available through the normal FAFSA process. LEAPNOW also provides partial scholarships based on need.

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview Required
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

LEAPNOW: Transforming Education's Mission Statement

Leapnow's primary purpose is nothing less than transformation and positive change on the planet. We aspire to keep our work on the cutting edge of human evolution. We feel that we can have the most positive impact on the world by working in the area of education- which ideally is all about transforming and expanding the consciousness of our students. Cultural immersion, study and work abroad are our main vehicles for learning about one's self and the world.

Year Founded

1993