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- Jul 4, 2011
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I feel strongly that taking a year or two (or longer) in between college and medical school is beneficial, for many reasons. I won't get into a long rant about it here, but I urge you all the think about it. You're going to be a physician for decades; why not take a year or two to fulfill some of your other dreams, recharge before diving into medical school, and help people in the process?
In order to promote taking a gap year, I thought I'd include my list composed entirely of PAID opportunities for recent graduates (I'd be happy to add non-paid positions I know of if there is interest, but I know debt is a huge issue.) I hope people decide to add to this, and that someone out there finds this useful!
BLUEPANDA87'S LIST OF PAID POST-BACC OPPORTUNITIES!
US PROGRAMS:
Teach for America:
Spend two years teaching in at-risk schools throughout the US.
http://www.teachforamerica.org/?gclid=CLy7kaPri6oCFYHb4AodJ2Ni0A
Americorps:
It's like Peace Corps in the US.
http://www.americorps.gov/
City Year:
Though sponsored through Americorps, this is more like a Teach for America alternative. You spend a year teaching and working in local schools. They seem to really need people, and it looks like a great program.
http://www.cityyear.org/default_ektid13307.aspx
Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award:
Awesome research opportunity at the NIH for pre-meds.
http://www.genome.gov/12011109
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS:
JET Programme:
Work as an Assisstant Language Teacher in Japan. Pays $3000 per month, pays for plane tickets, and provides you with housing. No Japanese language required.
http://www.jetprogramme.org/
EPIK Programme:
Basically, it's JET, in South Korea.
http://www.epik.go.kr/
North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain:
A grant to teach English in Spain. Intermediate Spanish ability required, but they aren't really strict about this. Doesn't provide housing or plane tickets, but provides a 700 euro per month stipend.
http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml
The Teaching Assistant Program in France:
I'm not as familiar with this one, but I think it's like the above one. French required.
http://www.frenchculture.org/spip.php?rubrique424&tout=ok
Working Holiday Visa in Australia:
While not technically a program, this is a visa for young US citizens that allows them to live and work in Australia for a year. As long as you can find a job, which I've heard isn't too bad, you're good.
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/
Fulbright:
The king of international programs. You can get funding to conduct your own project in almost any country in the world. In addition to independent research, they also fund Assistant Language Teachers.
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html
Peace Corps:
I'm sure most of you have heard of this one. Intense, but man, what an experience.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/
I'll add more if I think of them/find them. I hope you enjoy this!
In order to promote taking a gap year, I thought I'd include my list composed entirely of PAID opportunities for recent graduates (I'd be happy to add non-paid positions I know of if there is interest, but I know debt is a huge issue.) I hope people decide to add to this, and that someone out there finds this useful!
BLUEPANDA87'S LIST OF PAID POST-BACC OPPORTUNITIES!
US PROGRAMS:
Teach for America:
Spend two years teaching in at-risk schools throughout the US.
http://www.teachforamerica.org/?gclid=CLy7kaPri6oCFYHb4AodJ2Ni0A
Americorps:
It's like Peace Corps in the US.
http://www.americorps.gov/
City Year:
Though sponsored through Americorps, this is more like a Teach for America alternative. You spend a year teaching and working in local schools. They seem to really need people, and it looks like a great program.
http://www.cityyear.org/default_ektid13307.aspx
Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award:
Awesome research opportunity at the NIH for pre-meds.
http://www.genome.gov/12011109
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS:
JET Programme:
Work as an Assisstant Language Teacher in Japan. Pays $3000 per month, pays for plane tickets, and provides you with housing. No Japanese language required.
http://www.jetprogramme.org/
EPIK Programme:
Basically, it's JET, in South Korea.
http://www.epik.go.kr/
North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain:
A grant to teach English in Spain. Intermediate Spanish ability required, but they aren't really strict about this. Doesn't provide housing or plane tickets, but provides a 700 euro per month stipend.
http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml
The Teaching Assistant Program in France:
I'm not as familiar with this one, but I think it's like the above one. French required.
http://www.frenchculture.org/spip.php?rubrique424&tout=ok
Working Holiday Visa in Australia:
While not technically a program, this is a visa for young US citizens that allows them to live and work in Australia for a year. As long as you can find a job, which I've heard isn't too bad, you're good.
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/
Fulbright:
The king of international programs. You can get funding to conduct your own project in almost any country in the world. In addition to independent research, they also fund Assistant Language Teachers.
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html
Peace Corps:
I'm sure most of you have heard of this one. Intense, but man, what an experience.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/
I'll add more if I think of them/find them. I hope you enjoy this!
