Location
Multiple Locations +3
  • Canada
    • Ottawa
  • Online
  • United States of America
    • Boston
Length
26 - 52 weeks

Program Details

Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
23

Pricing

Starting Price
6280
Price Details
Discover Year is based in Ottawa, Canada. Therefore, program tuition is $7, 900 CAD.
Discover Year is a Certified Educational Institution recognized by the Canadian Government, which means RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plan) can be used towards program fees. The entire program fee can be claimed as a tuition tax credit.

The program also offers financial aid for students who require it.
What's Not Included
Accommodation Some Accommodation Activities Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Equipment Some Equipment Meals Some Meals Park Fees Some Park Fees SIM cards Tour Guide Transportation Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Jan 04, 2022
Jun 13, 2022
17 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Discover Year is an innovative one-year career and life skills gap year program that helps young adults better understand what they want and build the skills they need to go out and get it. Our students build stronger self-awareness, confidence, communication skills and resilience to thrive in whatever education or career path they take. They achieve these results through:

- Work
- Travel
- Community service
- Essential skills workshops
- Career and Life Coaching
- Mentorship

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Experience a structured, purposeful gap year alongside a truly amazing community of coaches, mentors and students.
  • Gain confidence and independence! Discover Year helps students with things like public speaking, leadership, collaboration and decision making.
  • Learn and develop crucial soft-skills during our weekly workshops, such as interpersonal communication, giving & receiving feedback, psychological safety, financial planning for young adults, and so much more
  • Students travel anywhere in the world during the month of February! Push yourself outside of your comfort zone to experience something new. Gain a new perspective about the world to enrich your feelings of gratitude & empathy, and to gain life experience!
  • Discover Year creates an environment of oppenness, authenticity and vulnerability, which in turn enables young adults to become the best version of themselves.

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Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 19 reviews
  • 5 rating 89.47%
  • 4 rating 10.53%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.5
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.9
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 9 - 16 of 19 reviews
Default avatar
Jaden
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Year Discovered

I was hesitant starting this but it ended up being a great year I've learned a lot of new things along the way and met so many great people that have helped me grow and that will keep helping me grow in future endeavors.I would definitely recommend this program if you're unsure about your future this a great way to get a foot ahead of your peers. I've been taught a lot of great skills that will keep leading me down a road of future success. The most important thing I've learned is that all my success depends on how I will go about the challenges and adversities I face in life.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
At first, meeting a pretty big group of people was very nerve-racking but we were all welcomed with open arms and we all grew together as a group.
117 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
aeverie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This should be mandatory.

excellent team, as soon as i started i felt welcomed and listened too. Every DY day there was time taken to make sure all the students were okay. Constant check in even though we are online was helpful. Couldn't have asked for a better team to guide me along my post secondary journey. I have learned so much about myself, my desires and bondaries. I learned how to say no and stick to my personal decisions, feeling empowered within myself. I can now continue my journey with confidence in my desicions and myself.

129 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexandre
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worth it one million percent

DiscoverYear gives you plenty of opportunities to grow. That said, it you don't get the value passively. If you are driven and committed to be engaged, you will mature and grow 10 fold from who you were the year before.

You get the opportunity to engage closely with staff.
You get the opportunity to engage in workshops on useful life skills.
You get the opportunity to build up your resume properly and shoot for the best job you can reach.
You get the opportunity to travel.
You get the opportunity to complete 2 community service projects of the magnitude of your choosing.
You get the opportunity to meet accomplished people with libraries of wisdom.

The only limiting factor in DiscoverYear is how hard you are willing to try. The potential is infinite.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Though I was one of the most engaged in my class, I would try even harder if I had to do it all over again. I would get even more value!
115 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eveline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Perspective of an international Student

Before I started this program I had no clue who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. This program helped me discover my values, and helped me gain the confidence to follow my own path in life. It feels amazing to be part of such an open minded community who supports you in everything you want to achieve in life.

This year helped me grow so much, in so many different ways! The reason why I chose to do this program, is because of it's unique concept! You will learn a lot of new skills, work, have a personal coach, meet amazing people every week who will talk about their career paths and TRAVEL the world, all in 1 year!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Connect with the panelists who come to the program every week, and don't be afraid to ask them questions :)
120 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rhys
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rhys FitzGerald DY review

Discovery year is not your average program, it provided me and all my peers with a ridiculously Safe environment to talk about what’s on our mind and what bothering us. I made so insanely close friends and connected at a level I never though possible. Discovery year also gave me space to think about life, I changed my mind about so many things over the years ( like post secondary education) and felt rushed to make choices, but Jay and his team showed us there are more important things then rushing into adulthood and making loads of cash. Discovery year really let me express my true self, break away from my cocoon and truly spread my wings like the magnificent butterfly I am. And for that I am forever grateful

What was your funniest moment?
Everything we talked about can’t fill circle, I had an opportunity to practice every single skill we discussed. I never had an experience like that before and all I could do when I realized what was happening was laugh.
128 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexandre
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Year Of Growth And Self Discovery

There is no way I can adequately describe this program in 500 words, however, I will try my best. Before this program, I was broken, lost and torn apart by the idea of living my life for others. This program didn't only teach me skills that will propel me forward in the workforce, but they also gave me the space to be able to explore who I am in all of its glory. If you feel like you aren't to take the giant leap to college or university. Trust me, don't force yourself to. This program is worth it.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Open your mind. Open your heart. Break your walls
134 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

International Student - Ana Alves

Before taking Discover Year, I felt confused and scared about my future career decisions.

After the program completion, I am more self-aware and know how to make decisions based on my strengths, values, and interests. I developed confidence to live proactively and authentically, became a more empathetic person and learnt how to ask great questions. Consequently, I have deepened my already existing relationships and developed new ones with more depth and meaning. I have also grown my network, by making connections with a lot of professionals through the program.

Discover Year creates an inclusive, empathetic, and open-minded environment, where students feel supported and challenged. Even after the program completion, I feel a sense of belonging to this community.

Discover Year challenges us with empathy and accepts us with gratitude! 😊

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open to improve, challenge yourself and be vulnerable - great self development and relationships will be built! :)
113 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Personal Growth Like You've Never Seen It Before

I knew I wanted to apply to this program the minute I heard about it. Personally, I really liked high school and I am still very excited to go into university next year. However, I enjoyed learning about a variety of subjects which meant I had no clue what I wanted to pursue in post secondary. This program has given me the confidence I was missing to move forward in life. The skills we learn through workshops and communication in one year are some we will be able to use forever. Not to mention the advantage networking with all types of interesting professionals has given me. The environment at the Discovery Days is completely open minded, safe and fun. Every week I am surrounded by people who push me to reach my goals. If you are looking to take a gap year that will allow you to understand your strengths, weaknesses and potential, better your interpersonal skills, travel, work in a community, push yourself out of your comfort zone, I 100% recommend Discover Year.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Planning our February travel period was very nerve-racking because it is an independent travel, which means that each student can decide exactly where it is they want to go and how - and must plan it themselves. As much as the mentors are there to provide us with travel resources and support, it is very interesting to, for most of us, plan our own first trip ever!
106 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers