Why your son or daughter should choose Katimavik

Give your son or daughter the opportunity for success!

Statistics show that a constructive gap year after high school helps young people reach their goals and achieve success in their future academic and vocational careers. Katimavik provides youth with a 6 months to mature, see Canada, learn about themselves and gain a better sense of what they want out of life.

Canadian higher learning institutions, including Dalhousie and McGill, support gap years. They allow admitted prospective students to defer to the following academic year if they chose to take an interim year. Even Harvard University has been recommending time off in its admission letter for almost 30 years.

If they haven’t found the right career or academic path, or if they’re looking for a life-changing, educational and productive experience, tell them to visit www.gokatimavik.com. To find out more, you can visit our how to convince your son or daughter page.

How service and learning benefits young Canadians

After participating in Katimavik and experiencing new regional cultures, your child will be mature enough to take the next step. On a Katimavik gap year they will gain:

  • Independence and self-reliance
  • A thirst for knowledge
  • Perspective
  • New skills and competencies

Furthermore, participating in Katimavik means that your child will learn the value of volunteer service. According to a recent EKOS study, nine out of ten Canadians see the benefits of volunteering:

  • 94% agree that volunteerism is a positive way of expanding citizen involvement.
  • 93% agree that helping community-based not-for-profit organizations provide youth with structured volunteer opportunities offers them valuable skills and experience.

Returning to school after a gap year

One of the most common concerns expressed by parents is that they are worried that their child won’t return to school after time off. Most students who plan on returning to school after a gap year not only end up going back, but they resume their studies with a better idea of what they want to do. Katimavik isn’t just time off, it’s an integral part of your child’s academic path.

According to Statistics Canada, 30% of first-year university students dropped out at 13 Canadian universities. With costs for the first year of university ranging from $6,000 – $18,000, dropping out is financially difficult for parents, not to mention discouraging for students.

Taking time outside of the academic world gives young adults the chance to focus on their career paths. Your son or daughter won’t need to take as many semesters to choose a major, which will save you money.