Gap Year? What do you want to get out of it?

There has been alot of discussion about the value of the one year "gap program" lately. First Rabbi Jeff Saks of Atid posted 2 anonymous essays written by people who work in yeshiva and seminary programs. http://www.atid.org/resources/op-jed/edutainment.asp

This was followed by an article that appeared in the Jewish Week this week:
http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c40_a17661/News/Israel.html#top

Much food for thought for both parents and for the year programs. What is the parent and high school responsiblity in preparing the child (yes he/she is still a child) for the year abroad. What is the yeshiva/seminary responsiblity?

Time for both sides to reevaluate and decide if the program of a decade ago still meets the needs for the kid of today!