While many students choose to enroll in colleges right after high school, a smaller group opts for a gap year as an option. According to the Gap Year Association, a nonprofit organization in Oregon that assists students in finding and taking up gap year options, 40,000 to 60,000 students take a gap year on average each academic year. Nonetheless, is a gap year the right option for you? Weigh the pros and cons of a gap year in this guide and determine whether you should opt for any of the gap year programs we have included.
What Is A Gap Year?
A gap year is referred to as a “semester or year of experiential learning, often conducted after high school and prior to career or higher education, in order to develop one’s practical, professional, and personal understanding,” according to the Gap Year Association. Some students decide to take a year off in the middle of their degree program.
According to experts, students typically use this time to travel, work, or volunteer while also deciding what they want to study when they eventually enroll in college. Perhaps due to fatigue, some students are taking a sabbatical to concentrate on their mental health.
Experts claim that although the idea has long been well-liked in Europe, it has only recently gained popularity here. The term saw a significant uptick in Google searches that spring when former first daughter Malia Obama declared in 2016 that she would take a gap year before starting college.
According to experts, the action offered many students social licenses to follow the idea in addition to introducing them to it.
According to Cathleen Sheils, senior assistant director of college counseling at New York-based Solomon Admissions Counseling, taking a gap year can help you prepare for college if you do it properly.
How Different Gap Year Experiences Can Be
There are many choices available for high school students or recent graduates who are thinking about taking a gap year, including structured programs and independent exploration.
Experiences with a focus on ecology, animal care and conservation, language studies, coding, cultural immersion, and a range of other themes are listed by the Gap Year Association, which accredits a number of programs.
Another choice is AmeriCorps, which provides numerous service programs across the nation to people who are 18 or older. Participants are entitled to advantages like a living stipend and an education award that can be applied to future tuition or loan repayment.
Also, students have the option of choosing to work during a gap year, either to pay for college or to do an internship for college credit.
The Pros and Cons Of A Gap Year
Ultimately, there are pros and cons to weigh with every decision, and a gap year is no exception. To shed some light on the subject, we’ve listed some of the most significant pros and cons of taking a gap year. By doing so, you can decide for yourself whether skipping a year of school is the best course of action for you.
PRO: You can use the time to pursue other interests.
You might think about what you truly enjoy doing when you take a year off from studying. You may use your time to pursue interests and hobbies that are sometimes put on hold in favor of studying; as a result, you might even decide you want to take a completely new direction.
CON: You run the danger of losing scholarly traction.
The ideal outcome of a year-long sabbatical from your studies is that you return to them reenergized and motivated. The worst-case scenario is that you entirely lose academic momentum. You should carefully think about if taking such a long sabbatical will work for you personally because the last thing you want is for your return to your academics to be tough.
PRO: You have the chance to work and build up your financial resources.
There is no disputing that living in a university is expensive. Hence, there is no shame in using your gap year to earn money to assist pay for your living expenses while attending college. By relieving you of a significant financial burden, it might help you feel a lot more confident about moving out to live independently for the first time.
CON: You run the danger of squandering a lot of time.
It’s crucial to have a well-thought-out plan in place before taking a year off. Otherwise, you can end up squandering a significant amount of time. The last thing you want is to reflect on the year and discover that the most worthwhile activity you engaged in was binge-watching an entire Netflix series. This will never, ever look good on your resume.
PRO: That might present well on your resume.
Of course, if you do adhere to a detailed strategy and spend your year well, it could look really spiffy on your resume and greatly impress potential employers. Spending it working, earning experience, or even volunteering can provide you useful new abilities that would impress any company. Similarly, if you spend it traveling, you can have a deep understanding of cultural differences and a remarkable capacity for independence.
CON: The cost may be prohibitive.
Depending on your intended destination and the length of your journey, costs are likely to quickly add up if you plan to travel during your gap year. Without careful preparation and organization, taking a gap year abroad could have a significant financial impact on you. If money is at all a problem for you, consider if this will be a sensible investment for you.
PRO: It might be an experience of a lifetime.
However, holidays become considerably more difficult to come by once you start working as a full-fledged adult. Making the most of your time away from the responsibilities of everyday life is possible when you take a gap year. It will be much more difficult to find the opportunity to travel so widely for so long in the future, especially if you spend it traveling.
CON: You will fall behind by a year.
This may prove to be a very challenging drawback for many. You’ll need to take into account the fact that by the time you arrive at university, many of your close friends will already be adjusting well. Also, taking a year off can add extra time to a potentially drawn-out educational process, which could prevent you from getting a head start in your profession.
PRO: Gaining life experience can help you prepare more effectively for college.
In actuality, a gap year has the ability to impart much more priceless life skills than simply sitting in a classroom ever could. This is particularly true if you want to spend your year traveling, as doing so will surely help you develop the independence and self-reliance necessary for university-level independent study and living.
CONS: The risk exists.
Taking a gap year is risky for numerous reasons, just like most things in life. It’s ultimately up to you, but you could run the danger of all the negative aspects listed above and much more. Whatever you decide, remember that taking a gap year, especially if you spend some time traveling overseas, will change your life.
Gap Year Ideas
Having determined whether a gap year is a good fit for you, here are some ideas you might want to explore.
#1. Volunteer overseas for a conservation initiative
Costa Rica, the United States of America, and Peru are popular destinations for conservation volunteer work
Young adults who want to travel with a purpose, spend time giving back, support communities in need and contribute to the greater good frequently choose to volunteer abroad.
Many young adults are motivated to concentrate their volunteer work on conservation, even if there are chances to volunteer in a variety of ways. In addition to helping many attractive areas achieve their conservation objectives, volunteering there is a terrific chance to meet like-minded individuals and witness how your efforts actually have a real impact.
#2. Work exchange on a farm or in a home
China, Australia, and New Zealand are popular destinations for work exchanges.
Work exchange programs provide a special chance to trade living expenses for your labor for tourists on a restricted budget or for individuals looking for work experience while they immerse themselves in local communities.
Work exchanges during a gap year are most frequently found on farms, such as through WWOOF, or in households, such as through Au Pairing. An Au Pair, often known as an international nanny, provides childcare assistance and housekeeping tasks in exchange for a unique experience while staying with a family.
The benefits of a work exchange go beyond the ability to live abroad on a budget because you’ll obtain work experience and frequently interact with different people. Living and working with a local also gives you a wonderful chance to become fully immersed in their way of life.
#3. Take seasonal employment overseas.
Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea are popular destinations for seasonal employment.
Seasonal jobs give gappers the opportunity to supplement their travel budget through work, much like work exchanges do. Young adults taking a gap year frequently work in the tourism industry during the busiest times of the year, such as the winter at a ski resort, and then travel nonstop for the rest of the year.
Seasonal employment is a fantastic method to strike a mix between full-time travel mobility and exposure to diverse work cultures. Also, taking on seasonal work is a terrific strategy to extend a gap year because it gives you the chance to recover your money and forge new relationships in the neighborhood.
#4. Go after a spiritual program
India, Thailand, and Indonesia are popular destinations for spiritual programs.
Pursuing a spiritual experience can give significance and insight into yourself and the world because a gap year is about personal growth. Tourists from all over the world visit Southeast Asian nations, such as Thailand and Indonesia, to experience their rich spiritual traditions.
Don’t feel constrained to go for conventional programs that emphasize work or studies because a gap year is a personal adventure. Yoga classes are becoming more popular, and there are a ton of other wellness-focused travel opportunities for young adults that are well worth your consideration.
#5. Obtain a job doing an internship in your field of study or interest overseas.
South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom are common destinations for internships.
Consider applying for an international internship if you want work experience, a glimpse into the actual world of a potential career path, or if you want to discover if you’ll be happy in a particular subject. A gap year internship might give you a break from school while you still advance your profession.
Many of the life skills that gap years offer can be acquired through internships without having any negative effects on one’s career. There are many various types of gap year internships available to suit your needs, including paid positions and internships that go toward college credit. Gap years don’t have to last a full year, and it’s usual for college students to take a summer internship overseas to avoid having to postpone receiving financial aid or scholarships.
#6. Take a working vacation.
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are popular destinations for working vacations.
The cost of taking a year “off” from traditional study or employment is one of the main barriers preventing young adults from taking a gap year. For young individuals with special passports, nations including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand provide working holiday visas. A working holiday is when a gapper accepts a temporary job to pay for their travel expenses across the nation.
Many gappers find employment in towns that offer access to more of the nation at cafes, pubs, hostels, or other jobs in the tourism or service sector. Short-term employment is a terrific way to meet new people, immerse oneself in the culture and the local community, and have a stable income, similar to seasonal work in the tourism industry. These visas normally have a one-year validity period, giving you lots of time for travel, exciting activities, and days working to pay for them all.
The Top Gap Year Programs Worth Trying
You must consider your college ambitions and the level of support you require to choose the finest gap year programs before college. The finest gap year programs after high school include the following, while there are many other fantastic possibilities for individuals taking their gap year without a college degree:
#1. Sea|mester Study Abroad at Sea
When it comes to a gap year, you could feel as though you have to pick just one location from a wide range of possibilities, even when you really want to pick them all!
What if we said you didn’t have to choose just one, though? You can cruise across the ocean for three months, stopping at various places along the way, with Sea|mester Study Abroad at Sea’s 90-Day Journey, while residing abroad on a ship with other young people.
#2. Centro MundoLengua: Gap Year in Sevilla, Spain
If you just graduated from high school, the gap year program at Centro MundoLengua is perfect for you. You will enhance your Spanish language abilities, learn about historical sites while taking outdoor courses, enjoy the colorful Spanish culture, have the opportunity to volunteer in your community, and, of course, travel extensively around Spain and beyond throughout this immersion program. The course is perfect for students who want to use what they have learned outside of the classroom, grow as leaders, and significantly influence their future.
#3. Raleigh International
Raleigh International believes that youth-driven, long-lasting change may make the world a better place. You may anticipate gaining the knowledge, experience, and connections necessary to be a change leader through their Raleigh Expedition. Through 4, 5, 7 and 10-week programs that address issues with poverty, education, and the environment, bring about long-lasting change in Nepal and Costa Rica. One of the first UK programs to receive accreditation from the Gap Year Association is this one.
#4. International TEFL Academy
Earning a TEFL certificate and teaching English overseas can be a fantastic choice for professional progression and cultural immersion for students who may not have the money for a gap year. This will allow them to save money rather than spend it. Opportunities offered by the International TEFL Academy, particularly in Costa Rica, are a fantastic choice. With your TEFL certification and expertise, you can go on to teach overseas and make money while you travel for years to come.
#5. Pacific Discovery
Check out Pacific Discovery’s short-term semester gap programs down under, mate, if you want to spend half of your gap year working and saving money and the other half spending that money on incredible adventures (like watching the sunset over the outback, skiing down the Remarkables, or actually finding nemo in the Great Barrier Reef).
#6. The Intern Group
For individuals eager to test-drive their future careers and obtain practical experience that will set them apart from their peers, The Intern Group provides gap year programs all around the world. The Intern Group guarantees to support you every step of the way on your overseas journey—from matching you with a company that suits your profile to setting up your visa and locating your lodging—and this gap year program offers positions in top NGOs and SMEs all around the world. This all-inclusive program will assist you in achieving your objectives, whether you’re thinking about attending college or starting your own business.
#7. VACorps
One of the most worthwhile internship programs is provided by VACorps in Cape Town, South Africa. During a gap year, many students desire to focus on experience; however, with VACorps, you may have both adventure AND a strengthened résumé. However, don’t worry if your degree or area of interest doesn’t match any internship opportunities offered by VACorps; these include internships in marketing, law, journalism, human rights, and many other areas. You’ll have the opportunity to live with other gap year travelers who share your interests, and you’ll develop a newfound sense of freedom and capacity. Be ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and a special way to travel meaningfully!
How Long Is Too Long For A Gap Year?
A gap “year” can be as long or as short as you like, which is a crucial point to remember. While some people choose to participate in a 2-week gap year, others may choose a semester- or year-long program. A gap year is entirely personal to you and wholly individualized.
Do Universities Accept Gap Years?
Gap years are welcomed by many universities, but they shouldn’t be taken just to strengthen a college application. Make clear connections between your time spent abroad and your academic life when discussing your gap year experience on your application.
How Many Year Gap Is Accepted In The UK?
Every UK university will accept applications for a maximum of two years. After completing their higher secondary education, students who have not studied abroad for more than two years straight can apply to study in the UK.
How Much Does A Gap Year Cost?
Several programs range in price from $5,000 to $12,000. Your costs will probably be heavily influenced by travel, both to and from the destination and while you are there.
In Conclusion,
Not everyone should take a gap year. While being well-liked, gap year programs and overseas travel can be somewhat expensive. Before you decide whether to take a gap year, it’s important to think about how it can impact your finances.
The sort of activities you intend to engage in during your gap year is another aspect to take into account. It is best to go into your gap year knowing exactly what you want to research and learn.
Though it’s acceptable to take a break from school and relax occasionally during your gap year, especially at the beginning, try to avoid feeling aimless and unfocused the entire time.
In the end, it’s up to you to decide if taking a gap year is the right move for you and your objectives.
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