Chelsea Detrick Gap Year Scholarship
Applications now open for the 2026-2027 scholarship.
As part of the scholarship application process, students should submit the following via email to
Dr. Kerry Arens by February 18, 2026:
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A one-page essay explaining why you want to engage in a Gap Year and why you would like to spend some of it volunteering in Nepal.
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A general plan of how you would intend to spend the rest of your Gap Year.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Gap Year Scholarship winners
Amelia Kirsch and Therese Schuster!
What is a Gap Year?
Most students coming to the completion of their high school studies focus on one of two directions: going off to college or joining the workforce. There is a third option: a Gap Year. Found more often in Europe, a Gap Year is the year following completion of high school in which a student decides to defer either going to college or starting a job to undertake a year of travel or volunteer work, or a combination of both. Many students go off to college because, “It’s the next thing I’m supposed to do,” or “What else would I do?” or “That’s what my parents want and expect me to do.” For others who are undecided about a future direction, taking a year to explore, both personally and geographically, can be a positive life-changing experience.
What should I do to apply?
First, proceed with all college applications to institutions in which you have a potential interest. Go through the entire process and hear back in March about whether or not you are admitted to each college to which you have applied. Among schools to which you are admitted, choose which one you would like to attend. AT THAT POINT, decide if you would like to defer your admission for one year and undertake a Gap Year. Virtually 100% of colleges will defer your admission for one year if you want to undertake a defined Gap Year.
If as part of a Gap Year you would be willing to spend 10 – 16 weeks in Nepal, with No Limits Nepal (https://nolimitsnepal.org/), the Chelsea Center offers a scholarship of up to $5,000 to pay program fees (which include room and board) and round-trip airfare (at the most affordable fare available).
As part of the scholarship application process, students should submit the following via email to Dr. Arens by February 18:
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A one-page essay explaining why you want to engage in a Gap Year and why you would like to spend some of it volunteering in Nepal.
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A general plan of how you would intend to spend the rest of your Gap Year.
What does the Chelsea Detrick Gap Year Scholarship include?
1. Three months of volunteer experience with No Limits Nepal, specifically from early Sept - early Dec, including travel and participation in the Blink Now Summit toward the end of the experience. The scholarship pays for roundtrip airfare plus the 'Volunteer Fee' (per No Limits schedule).
2. An option for recipients to go back to Nepal for up to 5 months, Jan-May for which the scholarship will pay the volunteer fee and 1/2 of the airfare. Students should make a decision about this extension before returning to the US in December.
What else do I need to know?
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Scholarship recipients and their families will need to sign a waiver prior to receiving the award. That waiver can be reviewed here.
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Plane tickets must be purchased by the Chelsea Center Coordinator, on a mutually agreed upon date in June, and both parent/guardian and scholarship recipient must meet in person with the Coordinator to complete the purchase. The scholarship recipient must know their desired dates of travel and must bring appropriate travel documents needed to secure the flight to this meeting.
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Volunteer Fees for the scholarship will be paid directly by the Chelsea Center Coordinator to No Limits Nepal.
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Scholarship recipients are responsible for securing all of the documents and approvals needed for travel.
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While many universities will defer acceptance for up to one year, Gap Year Scholarship Recipients will need to verify if financial aid or scholarships awarded will be deferred as well.
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If the scholarship recipient chooses to return to Nepal from January - May, they will need to coordinate another in-person meeting during school days and hours in December or January with the Chelsea Center Coordinator to make travel arrangements.
For more information, contact Dr. Arens at (314) 918-4181 or arens.kerry@wgmail.org.
Hear directly from 2024 scholarship recipient Taryn Hibbing, in discussion with Glenn Detrick, as they take you through the Gap Year journey!
Gap Year Scholarship Winners
Amelia Kirsch 2025
Therese Schuster 2025
Taryn Hibbing 2024
Logan Storck 2023
Philip Freeman 2019
View Philip's reflections, thoughts, and encouragement:
Amelia and Therese are currently in Nepal:
Amelia says: Nepal seems to get better every day. I am constantly reflecting, learning, and thinking new things. It still baffles me how normal life here feels; at least once every day I think “Wow, I’m in Nepal!” and “How in the world did I get here?” Aside from this overall incredible experience, I am enjoying the busy days of school, library, work, computer class, women’s center, and house chores. There are not enough adequate words to describe the impact this community and opportunities for my future. Thank you!
Therese says: My biggest takeaway from the Blink Now Summit was probably realizing how many NGOs, organizations, and people are working in Nepal in many different sectors like education and development. It's so amazing to share ideas and inspiration, but it's also important to remember that each situation, region, and person is different. So there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to an issue, particularly societal struggles with so many factors contributing to the issue. Along the same lines, with my experience in education, I realize how difficult it is to determine each child's needs and unique circumstances. Each student is special and has different needs. I have to be very intentional about differentiating my instruction and support for each child to grow and learn. This is something that I really value as a teacher and something I'm constantly trying to improve upon. I really loved the conference and just meeting all the professionals there was amazing in itself. Thank you for organizing the conference!
Enjoy these glimpses into their experience!
