The Gap Year Association defines this time as “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.” Unfortunately, this time is often thought of as an opportunity for slacking off and carrying a risk of never returning to the school environment. However, these ideas are far from the truth.
Facts:
90% of gap year students enroll in a four-year college within one year of their break
Studies show that taking a gap year is tied to increases in college GPAs
94% of those who spent their time abroad said it helped them communicate with people from other backgrounds
93% reported an increased interest in other cultures
84% said time abroad helped them learn new skills that helped them become more successful in their work.
77% shared that their gap year helped them find their purpose in life
75% said it helped them find a job
73% beleived it helped them better prepare for college
Other benefits:
Taking a gap year can help to determine goals before selecting a college major or career path, thus saving tens of thousands of dollars “finding yourself” while in college.
A gap year can broaden your teen’s horizons as they learn about “real life” in the “real world”
If travel is the goal for the year, young people can get cheap economy tickets, stay in inexpensive hostels, and join work/study/volunteer abroad programs.
