Unveiling the Life-Changing Year Fellowship
A Unique Gap Year Journey in India
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, grassroots experience and cultural immersion is a pivotal moment in every student's life. Not many students in India take a gap year without a solid plan. Many students take a break to prepare for JEE or NEET or to improve their marks in the 12th. Although parents, students and colleges in the west have accepted the concept of gap year, India is still not very open about it. Even though people take breaks in their careers and there are many ways to lose a year or two during our lifetime, taking a year's break post 12th to explore and understand what a student wants to do is still a big no-no in our country. One cannot deny the fact that students are constantly running as if they are on a treadmill for 12 years and they are not allowed to pause and think about their preferences in life.
I am a great proponent of gap year as a parent and as someone who is passionate about experiential learning. My son wanted to go to the US or Canada after his 12th in 2022. I got really worried when he did not get any offer from the best US colleges. I started looking at programs that could potentially support him during his gap year. I could not find any program. The only way he could have kept himself busy was by attending one of the coaching classes and preparing for JEE. He was not very keen to do that which made me more worried. I was looking for a program that could offer several learning opportunities for him and help him prepare for the next stage in life. However, he got accepted at the University of Toronto and I forgot about my struggle in finding a gap year program for him until I started my own education venture.
When I started building programs for my latest venture Sohum, this huge gap came to my mind, and I decided to start a gap year program that is the first of its kind in India. It was my own struggle as a parent that I could foresee as a big need for many fellow parents and students that I came up with led to the creation of an extraordinary gap year program in India – the Life-Changing Year Fellowship (LCYF).
After multiple years of continuous education, a one-year break after grade 12th would allow participants to understand deeper issue in the society; contribute towards the social and human development; identify their own strengths and weaknesses; find a larger purpose in life.
Life-changing year will be rewarding for
- Individual learning through multiple field experiences
- Becoming a problem solver by identifying problems through internships during the immersion
- Mastering empathy through mentoring, immersion, and cultural exposure in multiple locations
- Understanding larger purpose in life through curated programs
- Preparing participants for the next phase of life i.e. college or any other path they choose
Expected Outcomes of LCY
| GoalsActionOutcome | ||
| Individual learning | Immersions at the grassroots level | Understanding of real situation beyond cities and privileges |
| Social contribution | Internships at govt. schools, health centers etc. | Value the joy of giving and have more empathy |
| Problem solving | To identify problems during immersion and internships and work on their solution | Emerge as a real-life problem solver |
| Thought Leadership | Writing a monthly blog; participation in discussions and roundtables | Evolved critical thinking process |
| Finding purpose | Multiple programs to be curated in a manner to encourage them to find a larger purpose in life | To have clarity between purpose and means |
| Preparation for the next chapter in life | Activities and discussions to prepare candidates for college | Clarity about college life and better understanding of how to deal with studies, situations, and circumstances |
The Life-Changing Year Fellowship is designed for students graduating from 12th grade in 2024. Additionally, a limited number of seats are available for undergraduates taking a gap year. The program kicks off post-board exams, commencing in April/May 2024, ensuring a smooth transition from academics to experiential learning.
A Nine-Month Journey
From April to December 2024, this transformative experience spans nine months, providing ample time for personal development, skill enhancement, and meaningful contributions to society. Participants will conclude their journey in December 2024, equipped with not just academic certificates but a holistic understanding of the world around them.
Recognition and Endorsements
Certificates of internships from host NGOs and Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from Sohum will be presented to students who successfully complete the program. These credentials serve as a testimony to the dedication, skills, and impact each participant brings to the program.
A Future of Possibilities
The Life-Changing Year Fellowship is not just a gap year program; it is a catalyst for personal and societal change. By providing students with the tools to navigate a complex world, LCY prepares them to be leaders, innovators, and compassionate global citizens.
First ever experiment of transformative journey awaits a cohort of 12th graders. LCYF invites them to embrace a year of discovery, growth, and impact – a year that promises to be truly life-changing.
