An amazing life experience will certainly help your CV

The value of taking a gap year either before or after your university course is widely acknowledged, providing you with an opportunity to gain important life and social skills that will help shape your future. A well structured gap year with a qualification is a real extra when applying to university and recognised favourably by university admissions tutors.

Also, employers are now seeking recruits with initiative, determination, leadership qualities and communication skills. Our courses will enable you to develop key social skills, make some lifelong friends, and certainly help your CV stand out from the crowd.

Quotes:

“The highlight of my trip would be all of the great people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made”.

Nick Harpur, Cardrona, New Zealand 2007

"I decided to go on a Crystal International Academy course as part of my gap year and chose Whistler as it’s somewhere I’d never visited before and is almost as far away from home as I could possibly get. I can definitely say this course exceeded all of my expectations and have had more fun than I could have ever imagined with people I didn’t know before. I’ve met people from so many different backgrounds and lifestyles which have changed the way I look at a lot of things, all this made the living part a load more interesting. Throughout the entire three months, not once did I find myself without something to do. Whistler is an amazing place and has so many different opportunities that get thrown your way alongside some of the best skiing and snowboarding you will ever find anywhere. If I had the chance to do this again I would jump at the chance".

Daniel Calvert, Whister 2007

     

"In one word, immense! I had the best three months of my life doing what I love every day in one of the world's most prestigious resorts. Everyones skiing improved in all aspects of the sport; on piste, in powder, steeps, moguls or in the park".

Toby Read, Whistler 2007

"After leaving Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College I decided to embark upon an adventurous gap year as I wanted a break from studying before heading to Oxford Brookes University and needed something that would help me relax after my A levels. I had always wanted to become a ski instructor and so signed up for a 12 week ski instructor training course with the International Academy. As the course took place in Lake Louise, Canada, I thought it would be a great way to escape the weather here in England and sample some invigorating mountain air!

Taking the all inclusive course meant that there were no worries about accommodation, food, flights, passes or training as all of these were arranged for me by the company. The Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance course lasted for 3 months - which proved to be the most fantastic of my life! There were so many highlights, it's hard to pick the best. Probably top of the list were the unlimited skiing all day every day in the spectacular Canadian Rockies and meeting some great new friends.

The instruction received over the duration was definitely world class. The tuition methods helped get results, enabling us to improve our skiing, so much so that everyone on the course was put forward for not just the level 1 but the level 2 CSIA exam also. The instructors were funny, helpful and definitely put you at ease throughout. My skiing really improved more than I could have imagined.

I stayed in Banff for the duration which offered just about everything you could possibly need from a ski resort; friendly locals, great restaurants, stylish bars and plenty of leisure activities when you take a break from skiing!

All in all, the course provided me with a great opportunity to have a break before university and enjoy a paid ski season whilst it allowed many others the chance to change their career. What a fantastic experience!"
Tom Barnard, Lake Louise 2003

 

Crystal International Academy is a member of the Year Out Group, recognised for providing well structured gap year or year out programmes.