By Matt Miller

Staff Writer

Graduation is looming on the horizon. For many students, their high school career is coming to a close and the next door is about to be opened.

Everyone’s path differs. Some people decide to go straight to college while others find the armed forces is right for them. One student, Josh Kohnstam, will be taking a year off to do volunteer work in Europe and elsewhere.

This alternative is called a gap year. Instead of going to school in the fall like everyone else, the student takes a year off. Students who commit to this program usually wind up working instead of vacationing. Many colleges allow this sort of situation, although they want to obtain a list of what plans the student has for the gap year.

The student then begins school as a freshman the  following year.

Kohnstam began to contemplate this idea during his time on the German exchange program in the summer of 2010. He really enjoyed the program and wanted to do something like that in the near future.

He has two cousins who have both gone on very similar expeditions. One traveled to Southeast Asia and enjoyed activities such as walking pumas in a puma sanctuary and traveling across Laos on a moped that he rebuilt.

Another cousin attempted to gain the title of chief amongst a small tribe on the island of Fiji. Unfortunately, he lost to another candidate. Afterwards, he flew over to Nepal to hike in the foothills of the Himalayas. From what it sounds, his cousins left a huge impact on this choice.

All through the process, his parents have been a factor determining this adventure.

“My parents completely support this idea. In fact, they’ve been encouraging me to do this,” said Kohnstam. “My dad does not support it as much since he has to fund it.”

He has a plan set in mind. From September to December, he will be joining the humanitarian organization Where there be Dragons and will be doing service work in the Himalayas.

He hopes while in Nepal to learn the native language.

From December until about March, he hopes to work as a ski instructor in the Alps of Switzerland. From that point on, his schedule is open. He mentioned plans of going into Russia to see Moscow or possibly just visiting friends and relatives around Europe.

After his journey, he will be attending Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.

“As a person, you sometimes have to get out there an enjoy life,” said Kohnstam. “It’s almost like you have to get out there and grow as a person before you move on to the real world.”