Program Reviews

Hire this team! Jane is thoughtful, perceptive, experienced and really creative in curating placements. The options she proposed after just our first meeting reflected a meaningful understanding of our student & family needs and goals, covering an incredible amount of variety. Her recommendations were unique, customized gems that we couldn't have sourced on our own without spending a daunting amount of time, and even then I highly doubt we'd have come up with this caliber of choices -- nor the confidence in knowing we'd chosen so well (which is saying something, as we are life-long global travelers and pretty well versed). She opened us to ideas and styles of gapping that we would never have thought of on our own, which was a huge value.

Greatest aspect of J2Guides is their on-the-ground, personal experience and direct network across gap programs and opportunities. They've site checked the majority of options they suggest, which is HUGE. We would not have had the comfort, confidence and security of sending our daughter to the *INCREDIBLE* program she attended abroad (remote area, small cohort) without Jane's first-hand endorsement of the nature and quality of the people, location, and facilities (which proved to be of the highest possible caliber). This makes you feel like you're placing your child with friends of friends rather than an institution.

Having their vetted stamp of approval is pretty priceless, as is knowing they're plugged into gap year accredited options -- particularly when you're potentially making a major financial and time investment (which isn't required for all gap experiences by any means, but the return on that investment is invaluable).

J2Guides also has a clear methodology thats supported with cohesive guidance across multiple tools (videos, articles, worksheets) that supplement the 1:1 advising calls beautifully and create a grounded journey before, during, and after the gap semester or year. This was an unexpected asset and very reassuring along the way.

Their approach empowered and enabled our daughter to create a one-of-a-kind year that included a scaffolded experience in Ireland for first semester (Cow House Studios is so special it's hard to put into words), followed by self-steered travel to Barcelona, London, Amsterdam, Croatia and Sicily (structured around meeting friends & family, making it much more economical and adding the huge benefit of life-long generational memories). The materials and consulting calls we had in the fall continued to support us in planning an independent second semester that included a restful recovery break, finding & working a dream job, domestic travel to Colorado and NYC, and attaining a US Sailing certification. Each choice was that much more informed, having explored Jane's targeted suggestions which adeptly responded to evolving interests ranging from nannying abroad to service trips.

The experiences shaped our daughter so meaningfully it can't be quantified -- from her trajectory (built a portfolio that won major scholarships to college), humanity (unlimited joy, rich connection, community, heritage), quality of life (recovery post high school burnout), and aptitude (worldliness, street smarts, cultural enrichment, critical thinking).

Roll the cost into your overall gap year budget, and in context it's well WELL worth engaging J2Guides. You'll be truly glad you did.

Jane and Jason at J2Guides were exceptional in the role they played in our daughter’s gap year. From our very first conversation, it was clear they care deeply about the whole student — helping young people understand who they are, what they need, and how to turn a big, fuzzy idea into something truly meaningful.

Our daughter had been accepted to Skidmore College for the Fall but knew she wanted to do something different first… she just didn’t know what. Cue the end of high school, no college advisor, and a parent's concern that the “gap year” might turn into a very long sleep in. If that sounds familiar, J2Guides is your answer. They helped our family get oriented, focused, and excited about the right options.

Jane and Jason really listened — to our daughter and to us — and helped her shape her ideas into a thoughtful, realistic plan. Their support went far beyond logistics; they guided her emotionally and intellectually, helping her build confidence, independence, and clarity about her future. Their personal investment stood out every step of the way, before, during, and after her experiences.

Thanks to Jane and Jason, our daughter had an incredible year with amazing opportunities in Maine and Colorado, and returned ready for college with a new sense of confidence and purpose. We are so grateful for their expertise, care, and humor, and would wholeheartedly recommend J2Guides to any family considering a gap year.

J2 did much more than just help us plan everything for the gap year my son took. It's the time and effort they put into really listening carefully to what he wanted to accomplish, helped him finesse those desires into a carefully planned year. Perhaps, most importantly, J2 guided and supported him before, during and after, to find his way emotionally, intellectually and even physically and spiritually. Their guidance from the beginning, support during the programs and follow up afterward allowed my son to take full advantage of all the incredible experiences they mapped out with him as a team.

J2 played an integral part in what turned out to be a profoundly impactful year of experiential opportunity and development and we are so grateful for their connection to our family. Jason and Jane are amazing.

Jane and Jason of J2 Guides are a power team when it comes to the world of gap years and experiential learning. As a college counselor, I have come to rely on their wealth of knowledge and years of experience. They are my first call when I have a question or a family is interested to learn more. In addition to their deep understanding, I greatly value their pedagogy as they are teachers first, ever relational and always listening so they can help kids be highly intentional with their gap time, achieve their goals, and ultimately learn more about themselves through their gap experience. They are the best!

I had the honor of working alongside Jane and this program as an educator. We brought a number of my high school students to Belize for what became a very formative experience for all of us. Jane and J2Guides organized and facilitated everything with professionalism and pure tact, from our travel itinerary to homestay environments to daily schedule and trainings. My students loved the program and returned to school, not only full of great stories and adventures, but changed. It was clear that they experienced tremendous growth and adopted a new sense of themselves, one another and the world around them. The students' time with Jane and J2Guides would end up, in the years to come, influencing many of the decisions they made, and the lives they pursued. Jane's expertise, combined with her collaboration style and extremely thoughtful down-to-earth approach to curating an exceptional experience is something that has continued to have affect on me and resonate in my own career as an educator and as a person. I wholeheartedly recommend their program and consultation for any school, family or individual.

J2Guides provided exceptional guidance to two of our children -- both of whom enjoyed stints abroad. I can't speak highly enough for the value they brought to the challenge of filling a year with vigorous, expanding experiences. A gap year is a gift of time to explore and experience the world focused on growth and adventure. J2Guides allowed our sons to capitalize on their opportunity and make the most of every week of their gap year. We are so appreciative of and grateful for the knowledge and resources Jane provided to our family.

Jane provided fantastic advisory services for the planning of my gap year. I don't think I could have ever found the programs that suited me so well without her. She took the time to really get to know me and my parents, understand our respective goals for the year, recommend appropriate programs, and made sure my experiences were the best possible in every way. I spent the first half of my gap year in Ireland with Irish Gap Year and the second half doing service work in Hawaiian villages with Carpe Diem Education. I was pushed beyond my comfort zone in both programs but because Jane got to know me I was confident my experiences would be safe and successful. My parents and I can't say enough about J2 guides except that everyone should take a gap year before college and everyone should use their services. They are the best!

Jane and Jason are incredibly knowledgeable and have a well thought out guide to Gap Year planning for students and families. We used their services this year for our son and loved the curriculum and materials provided for a thoughtful and meaningful experience tailored to meet his (and out) needs. Their knowledge of both domestic and international programs is extensive and I value that they do site visits and have personal relationships with the programs. They are thoughtful and compassionate in their approach and are able to meet students and parents where they are. I would highly recommend using their services!!

Jane and Jason are not only consumate professionals but they are also super knowledgable about both overseas AND domestic gap year programs which has been especially helpful this year. I am super impressed by their company and recommendations and they helped my daughter navigate all the major steps of planning a gap year during a time when the rug literally got pulled out from all of us. By shifting to domestic programs, my daughter was able to find the right fit for her and is engaged and learning so much...THANK YOU J2Guides!!!

Jane and Jason started by laying out a thoughtful and specific, yet flexible framework for my gap year. They shared many planning practices, from dreaming up ambitious ideas to budgeting and safety in foreign countries. Most importantly, they shared optimistic, but practical approaches for planning a gap year during Covid. And once I started meeting one-on-one with Jane, my progress skyrocketed! I’m especially excited about the spanish lessons I’m taking over Zoom, from a Peruvian language school.