Why You Should Take A Gap Year And Travel?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Taking a gap year

allows you to travel the world during a time in your life where responsibilities are minimal

—no mortgage, no bills, no children. This allows you to spend an extended period of time immersing yourself in another culture and unearthing the nuances of a culture you may be unfamiliar with.

What are 3 benefits of a gap year?

  • A life changing impact. Often, a gap year can open your eyes to a change in career, or you can meet people who will change the course of your life through differing skills and life experience. …
  • A break from everyday life. …
  • Gain work experience. …
  • Personal development.

What benefits do students gain from taking a gap year abroad?

The Gap Year Association survey highlights that gap year benefits include

an increase in maturity, self-confidence, and better communication skills

. At the graduate level, schools look for experience, especially in the applicant’s desired field of study, to fortify an application and indicate commitment to the field.

How do you enjoy a gap year?

  1. get a paid job.
  2. volunteer.
  3. do some work experience or an internship including virtual internships.
  4. travel – you could organise it yourself or go through a gap year company.
  5. do an online course, learn a language, develop study or work-related skills like IT, or business.

What should I do on a gap year?

  1. Conservation Projects in Chile. …
  2. Marine Conservation Projects in Thailand. …
  3. Save the Turtles in Costa Rica. …
  4. Working with Elephants in Namibia. …
  5. Zoo Assistant in Malaysia. …
  6. Teaching Buddhist Monks in Laos. …
  7. Teaching in Beijing. …
  8. Volunteer with Kids in South Africa.

What is the goal of a gap year?

Goal-directed gap years can help students to

explore their interests in the real world while polishing skills they will need to be successful

. And when it’s time to matriculate, they will be prepared to pick a realistic major and handle the demands of their academic program.

What are the top 3 reasons why students take a gap year?

  • Perform better academically. …
  • Achieve language fluency. …
  • Increase job satisfaction. …
  • Get global citizenship. …
  • Become more financially aware. …
  • Cultivate priceless soft skills. …
  • Become more employable. …
  • Avoid academic burnout.

Why students should take a gap year essay?

Gap years

help young adults understand themselves, their relationships, and the world around them, which deepens capacities and perspectives crucial for effective citizenship

. They help students become better thinkers and scholars, filled with passion, purpose, and perspective.

What are the pros and cons of taking a gap year?

  • PRO: It’ll make your résumé stand out. …
  • CON: You’ll be ‘pausing’ your studies or traditional job for a year. …
  • PRO: You’ll meet new people and gain a broader perspective. …
  • CON: You might get homesick. …
  • PRO: You’ll gain stories through new experiences. …
  • CON: There are financial and personal risks.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a gap year?

Taking a gap year

gives you the opportunity to make the most of your time away from the realities of life

. Especially if you spend it travelling – getting the chance to travel so extensively for such a long period of time will be much harder to come by in the future. CON: You will be a year behind.

When should you take a gap year?

Many students choose to take a gap year

before going to college

. This is a great time to take a gap year if you’ve just graduated from high school and already feel burned out academically. Many students tend to spend so much energy worrying about succeeding in high school that going to college can feel daunting.

Is a gap year Expensive?


Formal gap year programs can range between $10,000 and $20,000, and some go as high as $40,000

, so if you’re on a budget or have limited funds for educational purposes, they can be a struggle to pay for or even far out of reach for your family.

Are students who take gap years more successful?

According to a study of GPA results by Robert Clagett, the former Dean of Admissions at Middlebury College,

gap-year students tended to outperform in college by 0.1 to 0.4 on a 4.0 scale

, with the positive effects lasting over the entire four years.

When did Gap years become popular?

It was in

the 1960’s

that gap years really started to become popular, and into the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, more students, particularly in Europe, began to embark on gap years. Wealthy or royal students would often spend their gap year doing service, traveling, and preparing for their college education.

What are the benefits of taking a gap year before college?

  • Time for yourself. …
  • It’s a resume booster. …
  • It could lead to increased career satisfaction. …
  • It could help you do better in school. …
  • It expands your horizons. …
  • It could mean extra money. …
  • It may help lower overall cost of college. …
  • It’s the best time.

Do colleges like gap years?


Many colleges and universities look very favorably on students who devote a gap year to working or volunteering in a service capacity.

What motivates students in a gap year?

Nelson found that students reported their top-two reasons for taking a gap year were

burnout and wanting to “find out more about themselves.”

Moreover, nine out of 10 students returned to college within a year, and 60 percent reported the time off had either inspired or confirmed their choice of career or academic …

Is taking a gap year a waste of time?

Is a gap year a waste of time and money?

It’s true, an organised gap year can be expensive

, and some would argue that you would be better off saving that money for your tuition fees and heading straight off to university while you are still in ‘learning mode’ after your A levels.

Should students take gap year after high school introduction?


A gap year after high school can be a great way to get more experience in a potential career and decide if it’s a good fit for you

. This experience can also make you more competitive in your field when looking for internships and jobs.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.