Katherine Loosley

My name is Katherine Loosley, and I am taking a gap year in Shanghai before I begin college at Stanford University in the fall of 2010.

I decided to take a gap year for numerous reasons. First, I've always wanted to do a typical high school exchange, but I was never willing to give up a year of high school. My gap year will allow me to do an exchange without giving up a year. Second, I want to learn Chinese! There is nothing like fully immersing yourself in another language and culture. It's truly the only way to learn a language. Finally, I think it will help me decide if East Asian Studies is actually what I want to pursue in college. Overall, I am very happy with my decision to defer!