Eduardo Glenn shares how he used his gap year as a focused and intentional bridge between high school in Costa Rica and college in the United States. Centered around a deep commitment to competitive racing, his gap year became an opportunity to pursue a long-standing goal of winning a national championship, while also exploring professional interests through a VaCorps internship in South Africa and engaging in conservation work at home. This episode highlights what it looks like to design a gap year around a clear purpose while still leaving room for growth, independence, and exploration.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
This conversation explores how having a clear anchor or goal can shape a meaningful gap year, and why structure matters even when your time is flexible. Eduardo shares how racing helped him build emotional resilience and mental discipline, and how those skills translated into real life and college. We talk about the value of independence, from living abroad to learning basic life skills like cooking and navigating a new environment. There’s also a powerful discussion around solitude versus loneliness, and how learning to enjoy your own company can fundamentally shift your college experience. Eduardo also reflects on why he felt more prepared for college after his gap year and how international experiences helped build confidence in cross-cultural communication.
Resources and Links Mentioned:
VACorps Internship Program
Cloudline (engineering internship experience)
Cirenas Costa Rica (sea turtle conservation program)
Jorge Solano, Global Mentors (Eduardo's gap year counselor)
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