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ACU's Gap Year Unit

ACU’s commitment to community engagement is very rare and sets it apart from other universities.

Sarah, graduate, Melbourne campus

Action, Learning and Reflection in the Gap Year

You want a Challenge

  • Do you need a break from study?
  • You're not sure of what's next for you?
  • You want to make a difference?
  • You want to expand your world a bit and have a look around?
  • All or some of the above?

The Gap Year and Community Engagement

ACU recognises that significant, transformative learning can often take place outside the classroom.

The Action, Learning and Reflection in the Gap Year unit is now available to all students, allowing them to integrate social justice actions, learning, and reflection in the context of a gap year-style community engagement placement, either locally or overseas.

What can the Gap Year do for you?

The Gap Year at ACU is about taking 6 months to a year out. Your lecturer works with you to look at:

  • your current skills and talents and how you may be challenged to grow;
  • issues you are passionate about e.g. injustice, cancer, government;
  • where you'd like to be at the end of your Gap year.

✔ Do the same thing - you end up in the same place.

✔ Try something different ... and you never know!

Skills and Talents

Meaning of Life

What do you really enjoy doing? What would you like to achieve?

  • You may be awesome at singing, soccer, shopping, partying or a total brain but your shyness has held you back.
  • You may feel really comfortable in your local area and favourite places but never experienced much outside of that space?
  • You may be a natural leader or the exact opposite!

Together, we look at where you are today and work with you to set goals and challenges.

✔ Taking on challenges makes life interesting!

Hopes, Dreams, Passions and Change!

What do you think needs changing in your street, your area or the world?

What are you passionate about?

If you aren't a passionate person today then taking some time out may help to discover your passions.

In the Gap Year use your creativity and energy to create change around you or within you?

✔ Passionate people are able to achieve amazing things

What do ACU students say about Community Engagement?

Daniel, student, Strathfield Campus

"Connectivity - Community engagement really connects you to your world - to other students, adults, lecturers and the community that we work with."

Meghan, Strathfield Campus

"I know the difference I made to people during my CE placement and I know that I am a different person - a better person."

Ujjwal, Strathfield Campus

"As an international student in this country, it has helped me connect with people from diverse backgrounds and has also broadened my experience. It has helped me build relationships and also work towards positive changes that benefit the various communities."

Student's community engagement at ACU

Gap Year Unit Structure 2012

Personality Under Construction

Students undertaking the Gap Year Unit will do an extended placement with a community agency.

Students will participate in preparation, a three month or longer placement, on-going reflection and debriefing on their return home.

  • Prior to the placement there will be two preparation and orientation sessions.
  • During the placement there will be structured opportunities for reading and reflection, as well as regular e-contact with the lecturer.
  • A debriefing session after the placement will help students to assess their engagement and its affects.

Semester 1, 2012

The Gap Year unit is scheduled to be offered in Semester 1, 2012. Please email iace@acu.edu.au for further information.

Admissions information

For information on admission to this unit >> Individual Units

Please quote unit code: UNIV100 and unit description: Action, Learniing and Reflection in the Gap Year

For more information

Please contact the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement's Anthony Steel on +61 2 9701 4346 or email anthony.steel@acu.edu.au or an alternate email is iace@acu.edu.au