Gap Year House
FAQ
What does the Alza Fund include?
We’re not just giving you the funds and letting you jump. We’re leaping right there with you. Fellowship recipients get $1,000 USD (potentially more), a personalized 1:1 gap year plan, access to pre-departure help and support, the key to a community of Alza Fellows also on this journey with you, a re-entry roadmap before your gap year is finished, and post-gap year anchor calls 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years after your gap year. We’re not kidding, we’re already planning these. Alza is here for a lifetime of impact.
Do I have to travel internationally on my gap year?
Absolutely not. While we wholeheartedly believe in the growth and exploration that comes from international travel, it is not essential to having a meaningful gap year. What is essential is that your gap year expands your horizons, and contributes to your growth as a global citizen, which can happen from wherever you are, and wherever you go.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes.
Can I join an organized gap year program as an Alza Fellow?
Yes, definitely! We know that for some students, taking an unstructured year may not be the right choice, so we absolutely support our fellows who want to participate in a gap year program. We’re also happy to help guide you to some programs we think are really great.
Who’s writing all of this? Are there humans at Alza?
Hey, hi, hello, hola—Amanda here, Chief Human and Founder at the Alza Fund. Right now, the “we” is actually a “me” at Alza, but we hope to hire a team of really cool people as we grow. You can write to me at amanda@alzafund.org. I love a good virtual coffee chat.
What are you reading right now?
A Map To Your Soul, Jennifer Freed
Finding Your Element, Ken Robinson
How to Navigate Life, Belle Liang & Timothy Klein
The End of Average, Todd Rose
What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20, Tina Seelig
Any other questions? We’re here for you at hello@alzafund.org.
We’re not just giving you the funds and letting you jump. We’re leaping right there with you. Fellowship recipients get $1,000 USD (potentially more), a personalized 1:1 gap year plan, access to pre-departure help and support, the key to a community of Alza Fellows also on this journey with you, a re-entry roadmap before your gap year is finished, and post-gap year anchor calls 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years after your gap year. We’re not kidding, we’re already planning these. Alza is here for a lifetime of impact.
Do I have to travel internationally on my gap year?
Absolutely not. While we wholeheartedly believe in the growth and exploration that comes from international travel, it is not essential to having a meaningful gap year. What is essential is that your gap year expands your horizons, and contributes to your growth as a global citizen, which can happen from wherever you are, and wherever you go.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes.
Can I join an organized gap year program as an Alza Fellow?
Yes, definitely! We know that for some students, taking an unstructured year may not be the right choice, so we absolutely support our fellows who want to participate in a gap year program. We’re also happy to help guide you to some programs we think are really great.
Who’s writing all of this? Are there humans at Alza?
Hey, hi, hello, hola—Amanda here, Chief Human and Founder at the Alza Fund. Right now, the “we” is actually a “me” at Alza, but we hope to hire a team of really cool people as we grow. You can write to me at amanda@alzafund.org. I love a good virtual coffee chat.
What are you reading right now?
A Map To Your Soul, Jennifer Freed
Finding Your Element, Ken Robinson
How to Navigate Life, Belle Liang & Timothy Klein
The End of Average, Todd Rose
What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20, Tina Seelig
Any other questions? We’re here for you at hello@alzafund.org.
Recommended programs —
Global Citizen Year
Where There Be Dragons
Minerva Visiting Scholars
Amigos
ARCC gap
Carpe Diem
Dynamy
Irish Gap Year
NOLS
Rising Earth Immersion Rooted Life Adventures
The Oxbow School
“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”
— Rumi
Global Citizen Year
Where There Be Dragons
Minerva Visiting Scholars
Amigos
ARCC gap
Carpe Diem
Dynamy
Irish Gap Year
NOLS
Rising Earth Immersion Rooted Life Adventures
The Oxbow School
“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”
— Rumi
Get the news —
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
— Malcolm X
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
— Malcolm X
Famous people who took a gap year —
Malia Obama
Astronaut Chris Hadfield
Emma Watson
Gwyneth Paltrow
Steve Jobs
John Lennon
You?
Donate [coming soon]
© 2025 Alza Fund, Inc.
Alza Fund, Inc. is a registered 501c3.
“To change the world, start with one step.”
— Dave Matthews
Malia Obama
Astronaut Chris Hadfield
Emma Watson
Gwyneth Paltrow
Steve Jobs
John Lennon
You?
Donate [coming soon]
© 2025 Alza Fund, Inc.
Alza Fund, Inc. is a registered 501c3.
“To change the world, start with one step.”
— Dave Matthews