A Structured and Purposeful Gap Year
Build the confidence, connections and direction you need to thrive in adulthood
Embark on a year of self-discovery and growth
At Discover Year, we help young adults better understand what they want in life and build the skills they need to get it through:
Meaningful self-discovery
Crucial skills development
Coaching and mentorship
Work, travel and volunteer experience
Discover Year is a certified Canadian post-secondary program. Program fees are RESP-eligible and can be claimed as a tuition tax credit.
Find your unique path
Do you feel overwhelmed when you think about your future? Do you want to take a year to learn more about yourself, explore your unique strengths, and build essential skills to thrive in school, work and life?
Fun, relevant, inspiring
Students often describe Discover Year as “school for life.” That’s because we integrate hands-on learning and experiential education so students can explore new topics, learn new skills, and gain new experiences—all while having a ton of fun and making meaningful new friendships.
Want to learn more? Join our next Info Session!
Join our next Info Session!
We would love to meet you at one of our upcoming virtual information sessions! Join us to learn more about Discover Year and meet some of our students, parents and staff members.
Hear what students and parents have to say about Discover Year
“I had no idea how big of an impact Discover Year would have on my life or all the memories I would make. I am now someone who is confident—emotionally, physically, and mentally. I would never have been able to do it without everyone at Discover Year.”
Laura Grisim
Discover Year Graduate
“Last year, I didn’t know what I wanted out of my future. I was aimlessly following the paths that people around me were suggesting. During my Discover Year, I learned a lot about myself. Now, I feel like I’m in control because I know what direction I want to take. I feel like I’m moving through life with a purpose.”
Josh Harris
Discover Year Graduate
“My daughter now has a roadmap for life. Whether the problem is big or small, she now has a way of approaching it that she didn’t have before Discover Year. She has courage now—curiosity, rather than the fear. This program condenses three or four years of maturity into one.”
Joy Overtveld
Discover Year Parent
Why take a Discover Year?
Our students come from all walks of life, with their own unique strengths, interests, and barriers. No matter what your goals are for your gap year, Discover Year has a place for you.
Here are the four most common reasons our students choose Discover Year:
Our students come from all walks of life, with their own unique strengths, interests, and barriers. No matter what your goals are for your gap year, Discover Year has a place for you.
The four most common reasons our students choose Discover Year is to: gain direction, build new skills, explore, or recharge before pursuing post-secondary studies.
To Gain Direction
A lot of Discover Year students have many diverse interests, but they are unsure of which ones to pursue. They may choose to take a Discover Year to find clarity and identify their next steps.
To Build New Skills
Many students take a Discover Year because they want to build on and improve their skills (such as communication skills and confidence) so they feel more prepared for adulthood.
To Explore
Explorers are always on the lookout for a new adventure! They are generally very open-minded students who take a Discover Year to gain new experiences and get out of their comfort zone.
To Recharge
Many Discover Year students had a lot on-the-go in high school and want to take a pause from academic studies to recharge and learn about themselves before attending college/university.
Making the case for a structured gap year
While the concept of a “gap year” remains relatively undeveloped in Canada, we believe there has never been a better time for young adults to pursue a structured and purposeful year as a stepping stone to post-secondary education or the workforce.
Listen to Discover Year founder Jay Gosselin’s TED Talk on why gap years could be the path to more purposeful education.
The benefits of a Discover Year
100% of our students agree that Discover Year helped them improve their:
Self-awareness
Communication skills
Confidence
Resilience
Where will your Discover Year take place?
Ottawa
Discover Year’s headquarters are based in Canada’s capital city: Ottawa, Ontario! Home to Canada’s Parliament and tons of political and cultural history, Ottawa is a terrific city with a comforting, small-town feel.
Toronto
Discover Year’s regional hub is based in downtown Toronto! As Canada’s most populous city, Toronto is an exciting and fast-paced destination that’s great for any student wanting to get immersed in the hustle and bustle of a big city.
Remote
We use a blended learning model that involves both in-person and online learning and relationship-building, so you can participate in an engaging and meaningful Discover Year no matter where you live!
Still have questions?
Do you have questions about whether Discover Year is right for you? Our Program Manager, Julia, would be happy to meet with you!
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