If you’re interested in challenging yourself, growing substantially on a personal level, and seeing the world from new perspectives, then a gap year is definitely the right move for you. There’s also plenty of room for letting loose and having fun with new friends during this transformative time.
Taking a gap year is not just a great idea—it’s the first step to seeing the world and learning about yourself.
So, why take a gap year? And what’s a gap year, anyway? Taking a gap year to travel can be a transformative experience, no matter where you go—or when you do it. But if you’re starting to consider a gap year, you may have a lot of questions running through your mind:
Should I take a gap year? Why do a gap year and take a year off? Is taking a gap year worth it? We’re here to tell you: Of course it is!
Furthermore, it is irrelevant what stage of life you are in. A gap year is a good idea before college, after college, or even mid-career. People from all walks of life learn that having a vacation and traveling is healthy for the body. This is why taking a gap year is good for the soul.
What’s a gap year?
The traditional idea of a gap year involves taking a year-long break between graduation from high school and the beginning of university or college. Typically, people taking gap years tend to fall between the ages of 17 to 21. However, nowadays the idea of a gap year has definitely expanded.
You can be a working adult who is looking for a change of pace or a fresh graduate who wants to travel before entering the job market. You might be a current student wanting some adventures outside the classroom or even an incoming college freshman not quite ready to start yet another academic term. Why take a gap year? There are many good reasons and times to take this type of break.
Taking a gap year before college
According to the Gap Year Association, as many as 130,000 high school students took gap years within the 2020-2021 academic year. This is a huge jump compared with less than half the number before the pandemic.
One of the reasons to take a gap year after high school is that many students feel like once they get into the routine of college and eventually work after graduation, they may not get a time more ideal than taking a gap year before college.
There are many programs available to support young people taking a gap year before college. The possibilities are quite literally endless and there’s something for any and every type of interest. You can spend time volunteering or combining fun adventure experiences overseas alongside opportunities that could set you up for success in the future.
If travel is something you want to include in your gap year, consider an international voyage onboard a ship, a “Country Jumper” program you could take while learning Spanish, or an amazing opportunity to learn life skills while going on adventures across the Americas.
During college
Trade days hitting the books for a gap year adventure.
There are plenty of good reasons to take a gap year during college. College students who take a gap year are mature and specific about their academic and personal objectives. A popular justification for taking a year off college is to recover from academic fatigue and to get to know yourself better.
Taking a year off college for a gap year not only allows you to rest and re-energize, but it also enables you to discover more about who you are on your own terms. Schools like Harvard University, New York University, and MIT encourage students to take a gap year as a result of research on its advantages.
Some universities take it a step further and provide university-sponsored programs for gap years. For example, Princeton University offers a nine-month, tuition-free service program to undergrads. There are institutions committed to sponsoring students from all backgrounds, and programs for gap years frequently provide financial aid.
A gap year during college is also a great time to get hands-on experience interning or volunteering in your field of choice so that when you return to classes, you’ll be able to contribute more to your degree program.
After college
Taking a gap year can be costly, and it might feel daunting to save money for this before or during college. Taking a gap year may not seem practical in the midst of all that, which is why doing so after college is a great option. Many people are also aware that they might never again have the opportunity to take a full year off to broaden their horizons after they graduate and begin working.
Increasingly, companies value graduates who take a gap year after college since they are independent and easy to work with. Learning life skills outside of an academic environment is imperative for character building, and will make you an attractive candidate for many companies.
Mid-career
Need a break from the daily grind? A gap year is calling.
Some people are defying convention by taking a gap year after starting their careers, also known as a sabbatical or a professional break. This type of gap year might entail anything from taking a break from work for three to six months with permission from employers to packing up everything and traveling for a year or more while between jobs.
The latter has increasingly become the trend as these adults have the financial means to be more adventurous. The current generation also values experiences beyond just work, so companies need to get with the program and offer flexible options to attract and retain top talent.
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12 reasons to take a gap year
There are many reasons to take a gap year, and each person's reason may be different. However, there are some common reasons that many people choose to take a gap year. If you’re still asking yourself, “should I take a gap year?” here are some signs that point to yes:
1. You can truly enjoy the experience
As you are not busy with college academics or workplace responsibilities while you’re traveling, you can truly embark on this journey with little to no responsibilities to distract you.
You are more free to manage your time—this can mean controlling when you want to wake up in the mornings, how late you want to sleep at night, and generally having more flexibility to include hobbies like exercising. This is a great time to truly focus on YOU!
2. You’ll make your CV shine
A gap year is a great time to gather experiences that can take your applications for jobs or further study to the next level. You can pad up your application with volunteer work, internships, or language skills that you pick up during your gap year. This can be the key to standing out from the crowd.
Internships are also a great option if you want to explore a new career path or get additional knowledge in the field you’re already in. There are even internships that you can do online if you want the flexibility of location during your gap year!
3. You’ll embrace your independence
Building independence as you see the world is one of the best reasons to take a gap year.
People who choose to take gap years tend to be just young enough to have the energy and adventurous spirit, but just old enough to know how to make responsible decisions. Here is where you learn your day-to-day needs to maintain your own health—not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
A gap year will teach you lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom or office. You can take the time to have real-world experiences for the most important assignment of all—you!
4. A gap year can set you up for academic and professional success
The experiences you have during your gap year can be so transformative that there’s a good chance you return a completely renewed and more fulfilled person than just a year ago, thereby setting yourself up for success.
Taking a break from studying can clear your mind and actually help you make better decisions regarding your academics. You may discover a new passion and want to pursue that, thereby increasing your focus and performance when you finally do go back to school or work.
5. You’ll earn extra money
With more people than ever dealing with student loans during and well after graduation, for many people with limited financial options, investing time in a lucrative paying job can help get finances on track. This can be a great time to work and save up money that can help with your living costs if you decide to go back to college or live in a new city to work after your gap year!
An ideal choice for many is getting a TEFL certificate while being paid to teach. Learning a new skill that is adaptable worldwide is a very productive way to fulfill a gap year.
6. A gap year is a great way to heal from burnout
Is a gap year a good idea? Well, if you’ve had a tough academic or working year, jumping straight into the rigors of life may actually set you up for more hardships. A real break to recharge and rest can prevent mental and emotional breakdowns, and being well-rested can do wonders for your performance when you return!
7. You’ll form long-term relationships
A host family, the locals you meet, and the people you travel on a gap year program with frequently turn out to be your lifelong friends. Together, you will have unique adventures and special memories that will help forge a unique bond.
8. You get to explore different cultures
By taking a gap year to travel, you can explore the world while having few obligations—no mortgage, no debts, and no kids—in that stage of your life. This enables you to immerse yourself in another culture for a prolonged length of time and learn about its subtleties if you are unfamiliar with them. You'll discover yourself discovering local culture, taking part in local arts and events, cooking local cuisine, spending time with locals, and forming friendships.
9. You have a chance to seek out your interests
Your favorite pastime or interests may become clearer to you during a gap year if they are something you wish to pursue as a career or even a hobby. Experiencing living outside of your home country can help you discover new options and fields of study.
Programs for gap years with specialized interests, such as environmental sustainability or the preservation of the arts and cultures, provide you the chance to explore your interests outside your comfort zone. You might discover new interests and challenge yourself in new ways thanks to programs that cover a wide range of subjects.
10. You’ll understand what meaningful travel is all about
When you choose to take a gap year, you are choosing to do more than just visit places. This is not for people who want to stay in an all-inclusive resort and never leave the touristy areas!
Gap years help you understand the learning gained from exploring the unknown, mingling with people from many cultures, and having a beneficial influence on the locations you go to. In essence, you want to see a place firsthand so that you may learn from it. Therefore, meaningful travel and gap years work hand in hand provided you're prepared to travel beyond your comfort zone.
11. You'll develop greater adaptability
You'll undoubtedly experience some difficult situations even when you're having a great time traveling throughout your gap year. There can be social gatherings when everyone is conversing in a tongue you aren't fully fluent in.
Or, the severe shortage of teaching resources at the school where you volunteer can be the cause of your utmost frustration. And you might consider the stuffy nights in Ghana without air conditioning to be the ruin of your existence. Hey, cultural adjustment isn't always pleasant—in fact, there are occasions when it may be downright unpleasant!
Sure, traveling will test your limits, but you’ll also learn to adapt and relax as you go.
Fortunately, there is a bright side: Even the most challenging experiences during your gap year will subtly shape you into a more flexible, adaptable, and all-around laid-back person. When things don't go your way, you won't be as inclined to lose it when you get home because…that's just life. You learn it by experiencing new cultures and being forced out of your comfort zone.
Gap years are beneficial for balancing temperament because of this. Therefore, be prepared for some of your Type A personality traits to diminish during your gap year. It's always a good idea to learn how to take things in stride, which is why taking a gap year trip is a great idea!
12. Travel rejuvenates you
Have you ever had the desire to simply take a vacation from everything? That is a very legitimate excuse to take a year off. It's the ideal approach to unwind and add some zing to your life in a meaningful way.
It seems wonderful to unwind in a hammock under Bali's tropical skies. Or how about a thrilling hike through the Jordanian desert's valleys? Maybe helping out underserved children in Brazil will give you the fulfillment you need to get back your spring in your step.
Regardless of the path you choose, taking a gap year will inspire you and leave you fired up and prepared to face whatever life has in store.
More resources for taking a gap year ASAP
- MyGoAbroad. Sign up for a free MyGoAbroad account to find and compare gap year programs from all over the world. You might even find some great travel deals and scholarships!
- Gap Year Articles. Explore our extensive library of gap year resources to get excited and inspired, and to learn more about how to prepare for a gap year.
- Online Advisor. Tell our free online advisor all about your gap year preferences, and get personalized program matches!
Trust us—you’ll never forget (or regret) your gap year
Taking a gap year is SO worth it!
So, is taking a gap year worth it? Of course! One of the key objectives of any gap year is for you to have a transformative experience and emerge from it a more contented and well-rounded individual. The above advice is meant to serve as a guide, but ultimately, it is up to you how you spend your gap year—taking one is the most crucial step!
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