J2Guides - Gap Year Consultants

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.

I was deeply shaped by Jane and Jason as an 18-year-old, when they were the leaders on my gap year program. They did a beautiful job weaving in themes, recurring lessons, and an appropriate amount of structure to the program. I remember being struck by how authentically they were themselves on our program, and I watched them role-model important lessons like setting boundaries, making time for self-care, and managing frustration appropriately -- things that I never saw my high school teachers or mentors do. Overall, Jason and Jane were practical yet playful, creative, and artistic guides who balanced love with rigor in mentoring each member of our group, even when times got tough. As a participant I was absolutely ignited by their leadership style, and I attribute a large reason why I'm an educator today to the times I spent with them as leaders on that program. Thank you for all you do, J2!