Growing up in Asheville, NC, I always had a strong curiosity about the world beyond my hometown. But when high school ended, I wasn’t sure what direction to take. Instead of jumping straight into college, my parents encouraged me to take a gap year. Best. Decision. Ever.

I was part of EF Gap Year's first ever cohort, studying Italian in Rome, participating in service learning in Thailand, and exploring Europe and Australia. These experiences not only broadened my perspective but also gave me the confidence and life skills to take on whatever came next. By the time I started college, I was ready for any challenge, knowing that I could navigate whatever came my way.

With that newfound confidence, I enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I studied Global Studies and minored in Italian and Art History. My passion for travel and education led me to intern with EF Gap Year, giving me a behind-the-scenes look at how these programs truly transform students' lives. After graduating, I took my gap year experience a step further by working as a Student Life Coordinator on two of EF's semester programs, guiding students through 20 weeks of travel across 10 countries. It was incredibly rewarding to mentor students on their journeys, helping them grow in the same ways I did during my own gap year.

Now, as a Gap Year Consultant, I’m here to help students and families figure out if a gap year is the right choice. I’ve been there, and I know how powerful this experience can be. If you’re considering taking a gap year, I’d love to talk with you and help plan an adventure that’s as transformative as the one that shaped me. Feel free to text me and I'd be happy to help figure out if this is right for you or your student.