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Suggestions for what to do for 2 gap years


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Twin dds are 14, nearly 15. They are going into what would be their senior year of high school if we were in the US. Although they could in theory go to university in a year's time, we're leaning against that right now and would prefer they spend one or two years doing "something" before going to university. They do a combination of homeschool/internet school, and will get their high school diploma as a result of sitting national tests set by the Dutch government, which will give them the same diploma as they would have if they were in regular school. 

So far I've come up with the idea of sending them to sixth form in the UK, at an independent school that offers A levels or IB or pre-U. A levels will likely not be very challenging, but they may be able to take subjects they haven't done much of. They could do the American school here and do AP courses but from what I've heard of the school this is not likely to be a good option. They could go to boarding school in yet another country and do a language immersion, but I'm not aware of too many schools (would appreciate recommendations though as this is the option we're leaning toward). They could do a PG year at Exeter or Andover but I don't think they would be a great fit for either school. I don't fancy the idea of having them take two years off to work/travel/do expensive gap year stuff since that would be a long break from school. Any ideas? Any specific ideas for schools or programs that you could recommend? 

Many thanks.

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Really the gap year can be what you make of it: it does not have to be a year of expensive world travel and volunteer work.

 

You don't say much about your twins so let me give you some examples:

 

Twin 1 is interested in science and in particular in nanotechnology. She does research and finds a nearby researcher who is doing what she is interested in. She contacts him and spends a year or two working in his lab.

 

Twin 2 is interested in art, again she finds local artists and works with them while creating her own art. Or she goes to an art intensive school. Then onto a four year school with a BFA. 

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Then I think it is a matter of finding the right school for each child or for both together. Since you are overseas, I'm betting your awareness of those choices is better than mine. 

 

Maybe someone with experience could help if you could list countries you are open to looking in (or maybe languages). 

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Country is irrelevant (exception would be for wartorn countries or North Korea or similar). Language is irrelevant. I'm looking for interesting and challenging one- or two-year programs anywhere in the world. For example, United World Colleges is at this moment top on my list. If anyone has experience with or knows of similar programs information would be appreciated.

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I like your language immersion idea - I think it's an ideal opportunity as they won't need any more exams to get into university.  

 

Are they already fluent enough in any third language to join an IB programme in that language (I'm assuming they don't need immersion in English or Dutch)?  At the boys' school, there are a fair number of German and Chinese students who come in for the IB and end up getting it as a bilingual diploma.  They have to have enough English to start off with to take almost all their classes in English, however.

 

L

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They could do French. Their French is quite good but not fluent, but they could do it. I didn't know you could do a bilingual IB diploma, that might be an interesting option. I'm also interested in Chinese immersion but have no clue about programs in China that would be good -- do you happen to know of any?

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