Ima Wasemann

In a culture that is so college-driven, people tend to forget there are other options than attending college right after graduation. Ima Hogberg-Wasemann decided to take advantage of this and took the initiative to take a gap year following the end of high school.

Although she had always had a gap year on her radar, “it wasn’t until the school trip last summer, for the Caring for Cambodia club, that I realized that that’s what I wanted to be doing,” Wasemann explained.

Her plan is to volunteer at schools in the capital of Cambodia, Siem Reap, for the duration of next year.

Despite Wasemann’s often indecisive nature, it was not difficult for her to decide on a gap year: “I think after being there, it just clicked, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Wasemann does plan on attending college after her gap year, although she is unsure of where she’ll attend. Even though it is often possible to defer enrollment for a year in order to take a gap year, Wasemann decided not to apply to any schools prior to her trip.

“I figured after a year I’ll have a better idea of what I want to do, or where I want to go. I think I’m going to change so much after a year that I’m probably going to apply to different schools that I wouldn’t now,” Wasemann said.