We are planners, through and through. Whether it’s a quick trip to catch some waves or mapping out an entire year’s worth of activities, our family thrives on meticulous preparation. We avoid the unexpected with careful planning, keeping everything running smoothly.
So, when we decided to embark on a gap year, it was natural to apply our planning mindset. But this time, our goal shifted: we’re planning to embrace the unexpected.
We’re not abandoning planning altogether. Instead, we’re using our planning skills to create opportunities for spontaneity and challenge. It’s a paradox, certainly, but one that we believe will lead to profound personal growth.
Preparing to Be Unprepared
Our gap year isn’t just about shaking up our routine; it’s about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones to grow through the unforeseen. We realized that our planning prowess, which has always been our strength, could actually be a barrier to the growth we seek.
Thus, we set out to prepare for the unprepared.
To navigate this challenge, we’ve developed three guiding principles:
- Be thoughtful about chosen opportunities
- Reach far out of our comfort zone
- Push the boundaries of our interests and goals
These guidelines form the framework for our gap year, making space for the unexpected while ensuring our experiences align with our overall objectives.
Embracing Presence: Packing for Portugal
Our journey begins in Portugal – a deliberate dive into the unknown. We’ve chosen a place where we know no one and don’t speak the language.
The preparation has been intense:
- Navigating foreign bureaucracy (in Portuguese!)
- Hours at the Portuguese consulate
- Tracking our belongings across the ocean
- Swapping New England winter coats for wetsuits
But beyond the logistics, we’re preparing mentally to embrace uncertainty with open minds. It’s our first test in being present and adaptable.
The Himalayas: Our Ultimate Challenge
Next, we’re tackling one of the world’s most formidable mountain ranges. While we’ve planned extensively – gear, routes, safety precautions – we know that no amount of preparation can fully prepare us for all the Himalayas have to offer.
This experience embodies our approach: using planning, not as a safety net but as a springboard into the unknown. We’re preparing to:
Adapt to unpredictable mountain conditions
Trek 75 miles over 40 days
Reach altitudes of 18,000 feet;
Navigate with a small group of fellow adventurers, who we will rely upon for safety, encouragement, and support; all without internet access
Flipping the Script: From Students to Ski Instructors
Our gap year takes an interesting turn as we train to become ski instructors in the Swiss Alps. This role reversal pushes us from our usual student mindset into a teaching position. While we’ve organized the training and logistics, we can’t predict:
- The varied terrains and conditions we’ll encounter
- The diverse needs of our future students
- The challenges of balancing authority with openness
It’s another opportunity to embrace unpredictability while developing crucial leadership skills.
Cape Town: Diving Deep into Social Innovation
Our journey culminates with a four-month internship at a human rights organization in Cape Town, South Africa, perhaps our most challenging and transformative experience. This stage of our gap year encapsulates everything we’ve planned for, yet we know we can’t be fully prepared for the realities we’ll face.
We’ll be:
- Immersing ourselves in a new culture alongside others in the program who bring their own unique skills and views on social innovation
- Tackling complex social issues
- Navigating the balance of understanding without presumption
- Applying our Service Academy principles in a real-world context
It’s here that we’ll truly put our “planned unpredictability” to the test, using our experiences to drive meaningful change while remaining open to the unexpected lessons we’ll undoubtedly encounter.
Embracing the Paradox: Our Invitation to You
As we step into this gap year, we’re acutely aware of the tension between our planning nature and our desire for unpredictability. We’re not just preparing for a year of travel; we’re preparing to grow, to challenge our assumptions, and to become more effective changemakers.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Follow our adventures, share your own experiences, and let’s explore together how embracing uncertainty can lead to extraordinary growth.
How do you balance planning and spontaneity in your own life? Have you ever found your strengths becoming limitations? Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out to us directly. Your insights could help shape our approach as we embark on this adventure of planned unpredictability.
Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this exciting chapter. Here’s to embracing the chaos and growing through the unexpected!
– Ryan & Thomas
About Our Gap Year Journey
We’re Ryan and Thomas Growney, twin brothers and co-founders of Service Academy.
After graduating from St. George’s School in Rhode Island, we’ve embarked on a gap year to explore how different cultures approach problem understanding, community engagement, service, and social innovation.
Our journey will take us to various countries, including South Africa, where we’ll participate in the Tilting Futures program, and the Himalayas, where we’ll be joining the NOLS for a high-altitude mountaineering challenge. Throughout this year, we aim to challenge our assumptions, broaden our perspectives, and gather insights that will help us enhance our approach to social impact back home.
Ryan is particularly interested in scaling service initiatives to develop young leaders, while Thomas focuses on the personal connections and community belonging that service creates. By sharing our experiences, we hope to contribute to a broader dialogue about service, mentorship, community engagement, and cross-cultural learning.
We invite you to follow along with our journey, engage with our reflections, and share your own insights about service in diverse contexts.
Together, we can work towards creating more meaningful and impactful youth service ecosystems that benefit both young people and their communities.