Hello, All!

Hey I am Maya, and I’m part of FSU’s Gap Year Program! Currently, I’m in transition from newly-graduated student and beginning my gap year experience, and the first month of summer after high school has been very exciting. Life after graduating is strangely liberating, granting me the free time I’ve always been missing to pursue my interests. I’ve enjoyed working full time, as well as spending a lot more time with my friends. Having more income means I can spend money on things I actually want to do, like arts and crafts. I enjoy painting and drawing; I draw inspiration from walking in nature in local parks. I have also had more time to play tennis, a skill that I had not had time to improve upon until recently.

I’m so grateful that with the end of high school I had the quintessential experience of a real prom and graduation. My friends and family got to come celebrate with me, and I finally got to dress up and go to my first school dance since freshman year. With the uncertainty of Corona Virus, I didn’t want to get my hopes up and allow myself to look forward to prom, so when it happened, I was elated. This was the first time in over a year I had been in a large crowd of people, so it’s safe to say I was substantially nervous. Ultimately, everything turned out fine and I came out of it covid-free. The damper on this month was that I was involved in a car accident. My car was severely damaged and I was injured as well, so I am currently navigating the consequences of Missouri’s rampant venison problem.

Next month, I look forward to solidifying my plans for the upcoming year. So far, I have contacted two organizations that seem to fit my area of interest, those being opportunities to tutor non-native speakers in English and an art education center. They are both located near the apartment I plan on living in, as well as an option to volunteer virtually. As of now, there are a lot of unknown variables including when I am actually going to move in, how to transfer process for my job is going to work, and navigating public transportation. I am mildly apprehensive because I am mulling over all of the things that could possibly go wrong, but my overall attitude is excited and optimistic for the adventures to come.