August 10, 2007
Regarding the Aug. 5 Post Magazine article "Eye on the Goal":
Immediately after graduating from a rigorous high school, I felt ready for college, but I also felt a responsibility to my community and to children who were not on the same path to higher education as I was. I chose to do a year of national service in the AmeriCorps program's City Year.
My "gap year" was not about what I could gain but what I could give. Nonetheless, I benefited. By serving in City Year, I was able to cover 75 percent of the cost of my college education at a competitive liberal arts institution because of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and other scholarships that I earned as a direct result of my year of service -- not to mention the intangible personal growth I experienced, which prepared me for college in ways that I never would have been without it. I benefited greatly from opportunities I later had in college, including studying abroad and internships, but I believe City Year was the most fulfilling experience I have had in life thus far.
A young person who is considering a gap year needs to know that he or she doesn't have to go abroad or pay for the year. Amazing opportunities exist right here at home.
LIA PAYNE
Washington
The writer is an AmeriCorps member serving a second year with City Year in Washington.