Who is eligible to apply for the Gap Year Program?
African Leadership Academy seeks dynamic, motivated 17-19 year old leaders from around the world
who have completed high school and are thrilled at the prospect of an intense, 10-month
pre-university program in which they would build lasting friendships with Africa’s future leaders,
engage in deep study of the African continent, and design and implement a community service project
that will have a lasting impact on a community in need.
Where is the ALA campus? What is it like?
African Leadership Academy is located on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa. Our safe,
world-class campus includes comfortable dormitories, a 350 seat auditorium, classrooms designed for
discussion-based learning, and a world-class design laboratory. Interested students may take a
virtual tour of the ALA campus by clicking
here.
What are examples of the Culminating Service Projects?
Students will design their own service projects in groups of up to three individuals, and they
are encouraged to design a project according to their own passions and interests. Outstanding
projects might include establishing a tutoring or athletics program at an elementary school in a
disadvantaged area; designing a better irrigation system for a farming community; or developing an
HIV/AIDS education program in an impoverished community. All Culminating Service Projects will be
supported and advised by a member of the African Leadership Academy faculty.
What does the Gap Year Program cost?
The Gap Year program costs $30,000 USD, including tuition, room and board, extracurricular
activities and most school trips.
When does the program start? When does it finish? Is there a vacation period?
Students will arrive on campus on the first week of September 2008 and leave in late June 2009.
There will be a four week mid-year vacation in late December and early January, and short one-week
vacations in October and March in which students may live with a host family in South Africa or
join a school trip. In February 2009, gap year students will have the special opportunity to
participate in the ALA Grand Opening Celebration with dignitaries from around the world.
