disadvantages of taking a gap year before college essay

The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Looking for a gap year essay example? This argumentative essay describes all the pros and cons of taking a gap year before college.

Introduction

• Pros of taking a gap year
• Cons of taking a gap year

There is an ongoing debate on whether high school graduates should take a year off (a gap year) before joining college. A gap year is a break from formal education and controlled environment that is otherwise monotonous and exhausting. Gap year is common in European countries and also in Australia and it is quickly catching up in America. It is an idea that even the most prestigious colleges and universities are getting fond of and thus encourage high school leavers to try it out.

Gap Year Pros

After completing high school, students tend to suffer from ‘information overload’ and exhaustion (Naomi, 2008). A year off may be helpful to such a person who has had an academic burnout and can use some time out to ‘recharge his or her academic battery’. The gap year will present the student with a chance to refresh his system and get a renewed energy which he will use to face the next phase of education.

Another reason as to why taking a year off is important is the fact that the person is able to build on some self confidence and their maturity level. Even top level universities are encouraging school leavers to take a year off since they reckon that those who do so, bring good values to the institution since they have had a taste of ‘outside life’ and will have a serious perspective towards life.

It is believed that those who take a gap year will be more focused and ready to face the more taxing institution of higher education. It is usually encouraged that students taking the gap year do so in a manner that will help them add some experience in a working environment while earning some money. They may also look for an internship which will help them have a feel of an organization and how it operates thus the student will make their curriculum vitae more appealing (William, 2000).

A gap year also offers chance for the high school leaver to do a thorough university search where he will look for the right institution that offers the course that he wants to engage himself in. The year off presents the school leaver with a chance to find the academic forte that he is most comfortable with. While enjoying a gap year, the school leaver will decide on what he or she wants to major in and this in turn will help them become more focused when joining university.

A school leaver may also spend his gap year travelling around hence broadening his horizon. By travelling abroad, the school leaver may discover new talents, gain new skills, learn new languages and visit various historical sites and this will help him have a diverse and broader perspective of life and thus make him more serious and focused when he gets to university.

Travelling abroad will also help the school leaver mingle with people of different races and cultures, a factor that helps them understand and appreciate diversity. This turns out to be very helpful to the high school leaver since he will encounter a multiracial and multicultural environment in the university and can therefore easily adapt, settle and start learning (Shellenbarger, 2010)).

A high school leaver who takes a gap year has a better chance of handling the peer pressure in the university. Because the high school leaver who was previously under the careful watch of his parents, will now be left on his own and thus the leaver who enjoyed his gap year travelling or being on an attachment will have built his self confidence and hence will tend to fight off peer pressure unlike the school leaver who joins university immediately where he will be hit by the reality of ‘first true freedom’ (World Inhabit, 2007).

Gap Year Cons

Besides the fact that taking a gap year will help to refresh the school leaver’s system, the gap year may also turn out to be disastrous towards the student and his career. This usually happens when the high school leaver fails to plan properly his schedule for the year off. Mostly, the high school leavers will waste a whole year and may not gain any helpful experience.

A mismanaged gap year may turn out to be too expensive to the high school leaver and, hence, deplete resources leaving him with insufficient funds to join university. Taking a gap year may result in a higher university budget as tuition fees tend to increase annually. William (2000) notes that “engaging in a gap year may result in the student missing a slot in the university especially in courses that are competitive”.

Also taking a year off may at times make the student lose momentum on studying and this may cause him a drop out of college or take a longer time to complete his course than expected. A gap year may lead to the high school leaver being demoralized by trailing his fellow classmates during the whole year (Sanjou, 2008).

A person who takes a gap year may fail to develop good skills and habits that may affect and help in his career and consequently fail to fit in the taxing university environment. A high school leaver who takes a gap year may enjoy real freedom having a time of his life and may find it very difficult to come in terms with reality that may end up by failing to join the university (Eunson, 2008).

Taking a year off may consequently lead to a delay in the beginning of a person’s career which means that the person will start earning at a later stage in life than he was supposed to. Also there are companies which plan trips for the school leavers thus reducing their level of self responsibility and thus don’t help build self confidence since they plan everything for the school leavers who should instead be doing things on their own to help build their confidence (College Confidential, 2010).

A high school graduate should consider the options he or she has when choosing whether or not to take up a gap year. The individual through numerous consultations with his parents, school counselors and sponsors should weigh between the pros and cons of taking up a gap year or not.

Ultimately, the decision lies in the high school leaver’s hands. This means that should the school leaver decide that he needs a break from academic pressure, he should ensure that he spends his gap year productively in a manner that will help boost his career path. A year off that is well spent by the school leaver can help boost a person’s confidence and maturity level. He will have a broader perspective of life and hence will give the university the seriousness it deserves once he gets enrolled.

Many universities in Europe and currently in the United States have come to appreciate the importance of taking a year off. Reports made by a number of university deans show that most people who take a gap year before joining university usually have a higher degree of seriousness, maturity and understanding than those who join university immediately after high school.

College Confidential. (2010). Pros and Cons of Gap Year . Web.

Eunson, B. (2008). Communicating in the 21st century 2nd edition . New York: John Wiley.

Naomi, G. (2008). The college gap year. Advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year. CA: Sage.

Sanjou .G. (2008). Taking a year off is advantageous . New York: John Wiley.

Shellenbarger, S. ( 2010). Delaying College to Fill in the Gaps . Wall Street Journal.

William, F. (2000). Time out or Burn Out for the Next generation. New York, NY: McGraw Hill/Irwin.

World Inhabit. (2007). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Gap Year. Web.

• Travelling through the dark
• Health Risk in travelling
• The Pros and Cons of Sex Education in Schools
• The New Meaning of Educational Change
• Final Analysis of Educational Experiences
• “Critic’s Notebook: Debate? Dissent? Discussion? Oh, Don’t go There” by Michiko Kakutani
• Education: Quality - based Vs. Exam - based
• Attitudes towards Education
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, October 17). The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons. https://ivypanda.com/essays/gap-year/

"The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons." IvyPanda , 17 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/gap-year/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons'. 17 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons." October 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/gap-year/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons." October 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/gap-year/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Gap Year Essay: Pros and Cons." October 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/gap-year/.

• Farewell Homecoming

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Education and Allied Health Professions
• Eckelkamp College of Global Business and Professional Studies
• Fontbonne Online
• View All Academic Programs
• GriffinShare Digital Commons
• Academic Services and Support
• Course Catalog
• Financial Services
• Corporate Partnerships, Nonprofit and Educator Discounts
• Emergency Funding
• Dining on Campus
• Getting Involved
• International Affairs
• Ways to Give
• Direct your Gift
• Planned Giving
• Giving Societies
• Upcoming Events
• Fontbonne In The Community
• What We Believe
• Our Community
• By the Numbers
• Faculty and Staff Directory
• Academic Accreditation

Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year Before College

A gap year is a period of time between high school and college when students take a break from their studies to pursue other activities, which could include travel, work or volunteering. Although interest in taking a gap year has risen, the COVID-19 pandemic makes it a complicated decision.

We spoke with Dr. Adam Weyhaupt, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fontbonne, and Mary Giunta, College and Career Counselor at Affton High School , about the pros and cons students should consider before taking a gap year.

Why are more students considering taking a gap year this fall?

Although some colleges and universities have announced plans to hold classes on campus in the fall, many uncertainties involving the coronavirus, schooling and large gatherings remain.

“The future is largely unknown,” Giunta said. “Some students are thinking about taking a gap year because they don’t know what will happen this upcoming semester.”

Other students are reluctant to take classes exclusively online.

“The experiences students had this spring varied greatly,” Weyhaupt said. “Some high schools did a great job transitioning their students to online classes, while others struggled. The students who had a negative experience might not want to go through that again.”

How can students benefit from taking a gap year?

For many students, a gap year offers the opportunity to gain skills and experiences while also providing time to reflect and focus on what they want to do next.

“The gap year can be a great time to not only find yourself and try something new, but also prepare for college ,” Giunta said. “Students use the time to volunteer, work or take on an internship to figure out what they are passionate about and what they want to get out of their future careers.”

Other students understand that after they graduate college and start a job, they may never have another chance to take a whole year to expand their horizons.

“For some, this is the ideal point to do things they might not be able to do later in life, such as going abroad or even spending quality time with their families,” Weyhaupt said.

What are some potential drawbacks?

Taking a gap year not only means you start college a year late, but also that you finish college a year late, postponing pursuit of your career .

“One of the biggest negatives is lost earning potential,” Weyhaupt said. “Delaying even one year of increased wages from having a college degree will have a cumulative effect over your lifetime.”

Students who decide to take a gap year could also lose academic momentum.

“After high school, you are accustomed to going to class, studying, taking tests and writing papers,” Weyhaupt said. “Your study skills could suffer if they are not used for a year.”

Students should also consider the ways COVID-19 could impact their gap year plans.

“Many international borders remain closed, and jobs and internships are harder to come by,” Giunta said. “The coronavirus has placed significant limitations on what students can do and accomplish during their gap years.”

Are there any alternatives?

There are myriad options for students who are not sure if a gap year is right for them, but who are also hesitant to start college full-time.

“Taking only a few courses per semester allows students to try college while also giving them the flexibility to work, volunteer or travel,” Weyhaupt said. “There are some extremely engaging online courses students can pursue, and many universities will have extensive face to face options available for students.”

What advice would you give to students considering a gap year?

According to Giunta, the most important factor in choosing to take a gap year is making a plan of action.

“Figure out what you want to learn and experience,” Giunta said. “Do you plan to travel, volunteer or work? Whatever you decide to do, set a goal, draft an actionable plan for how to accomplish it, and stick to it.”

Weyhaupt suggests students do their research before making a choice.

“Think carefully, and go into it with your eyes wide open,” Weyhaupt said. “Understand the pros and cons of taking a gap year, and don’t assume things will be like they were in the spring. Responsible schools have spent many months planning to ensure the fall semester goes as smoothly as possible.”

Looking for more tips? Check out our other resources!

Choosing a college, enhancing the college experience: get involved on campus, aligning passions with purpose, how to pay for college, gdpr privacy policy, google analytics, privacy policy, overall policy.

Thank you for visiting our website. We’re pleased to share our policy regarding the use of information received here. Privacy is a matter of concern to us. We are committed to protecting your privacy and the security of the information that you may provide to us.

Personal Information

We do not track individual users. Your email address or other personal information is not collected unless you provide it on a form, survey or application. We will not sell or otherwise make available any personally identifiable information to any organization not directly affiliated with us. We will comply with legitimate government or legal requests as necessary to protect our organization or to comply with laws.

Traffic Analysis

We analyze traffic to this site. We collect statistical data on an aggregated basis through Google Analytics. For example, we collect information about the domain names of servers that bring visitors to our site. We count the number of visitors and keep track of where they go on our site. Such information allows us to find out what areas users visit most frequently and what services they access the most, which enables us to create a better overall user experience. To gather such data, we use cookie technology, which collects data in aggregate form, not by individual user.

As referenced above, we use cookie technology for traffic analysis. Cookies are small pieces of information stored by your browser on your computer’s hard drive. The cookies placed by our server do not gather personal information about you, do not provide any way for us to contact you and do not gather information about your computer. The cookies simply allow us to enhance our site by letting us know what sections are visited most often. The use of cookies is common on the Internet, and our use of them is similar to that of other reputable online organizations.

Links To Other Sites

Our site contains links to other sites and Internet resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these third-party websites and Internet resources.

Updates To Privacy Policy

We may update the privacy policy periodically, and we encourage visitors to review them on a regular basis.

Last revised: June 2015

10 Pros And Cons Of Taking A Gap Year

Whether it’s to take a break from studies, spend some time volunteering, gain real-world work experience or travel the world before diving into the throws of university life – taking a gap year for whatever reason has the potential to be tremendously beneficial to your personal growth and to better prepare you for life at university.

Alas, there are pros and cons to consider with everything, and gap years are certainly no exception. To shine some light on the matter, we’re detailing some of the most important positives and negatives that come with  taking a gap year , to help you make a more informed decision on whether taking time away from your studies is the right choice for you.

After weighing up these pros and cons, in the light of Covid 19 you might decide a gap year in the UK may be the answer to your plans. Read on to discover useful gap year ideas and direct resources you can use to inspire your year’s adventure in the UK or further afield and seek further advice.

PRO : It gives you time to pursue other passions.

Taking a year-long break from your studies gives you the chance to reflect on what you really love to do. You could spend your time pursuing hobbies and interests that are often neglected in favour of studying – as a result, you might even discover that you want to go down a totally different path.

CON : You risk losing your academic momentum.

The best case scenario for taking a year-long break from your studies is returning to them feeling refreshed and motivated. The worst-case scenario is that you lose academic momentum completely. The last thing you want is for your transition back into your studies to be a difficult one – so you really should consider whether taking such a long break is something that will work for you personally.

PRO : It gives you the opportunity to work and get money behind you.

University life is an undeniably expensive one, there’s no denying it. Therefore, there’s certainly no shame in spending your  gap year working  to gather funds that can help with your living costs whilst at university. It can help you to feel much more confident about going off to live independently for the very first time, taking a huge financial pressure off your shoulders.

CON : You risk wasting a lot of valuable time.

When you decide to take a year out, it’s hugely important to have a clear plan mapped out. Otherwise, you could end up wasting a lot of valuable time. The last thing you want is to look back on the year and realise the most productive thing you’ve done in a day is binge-watch an entire series on Netflix – it’s never, ever going to look good on your CV.

PRO : It could look impressive on your CV.

Of course, if you do follow a concrete plan and spend your year out the right way, it could look pretty snazzy on your CV and hugely impress future employers. If you spend it working, gaining experience, or even  volunteering , it can provide you with valuable new skills that any employer would be impressed by. Similarly, if you spend it travelling, it could give you a wealth of cultural awareness and a profound ability to live and work independently.

CON : It can be very expensive.

If you’re planning to travel during your gap year, depending on your destination and the duration of your trip, the likelihood is that costs will quickly mount up. Without the proper planning and organisation, a gap year abroad has the potential to take a huge financial toll on you. If you’re in any way concerned about funds, you need to ask yourself whether it will be a wise investment for you.

PRO : It can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sadly, once you become a fully-fledged working adult, holidays are much harder to come by. 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.

For many people, this can be a particularly tough negative. You’ll need to consider the fact that many of your close friends will already be well settled into university life by the time you get there. As well, taking a year out can add an extended period of time to an already potentially lengthy educational process, which could result in you missing out on an early start in your career.

PRO : The life experience can make you better prepared for university.

Truth be told, a gap year has the potential to teach you much more valuable life lessons than sitting in a classroom ever could. This is especially the case if you decide to spend your year travelling, where you will undoubtedly gain the abilities to live and work independently, which will in turn better prepare you for independent study and living whilst at university.

CON : It’s a risk.

Like most things in life, taking a gap year is a risk for many reasons. You could risk all of the above cons and so much more, but ultimately, it’s down to you. Whatever you choose, keep in mind that taking a gap year and particularly spending time travelling abroad will be life-changing.

A gap year in the UK – ideas and resources

There’s more to the United Kingdom than local pubs, shopping centres and bad weather!

Did you know there are 250 iconic landmarks full of rich history, 166,000 charities in need of support and so many more ventures you can incorporate into your gap year in the UK?

When planning your gap year, there are two ways you can go about it: Organise it yourself or look for companies that will organise it for you.

With a wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available, it’s important to check the legitimacy of each agency to ensure they are financially viable, are an established organisation and are reputable.

Organisations offering UK Gap years:

• Volunteering England
• Volunteer Scotland
• Volunteering Wales
• Volunteer Now – Northern Ireland
• Youth social action volunteering – #iwill
• International Citizen Service (ICS)

What is available?

Take time to research the range of gap year ideas, and volunteer and gap year schemes available. If you are going with an agency, ensure they are legitimate, financially viable and a reputable organisation. Consider others’ experiences, and research reviews, articles and forums to gain further insight.

Or you might want to organise a Gap Year yourself. It will take a bit more planning and organisation, so make sure to carry out all the fundamental research into the costs as well as safety advice, what insurance cover you will need to consider and additional checks.

Gap Year Ideas: Need some inspiration?

• Volunteering – A great way to help and inspire the wider community. You can volunteer with a charity or community group, help out your local area or assist with the elderly.
• Travel – Planning your travels around the UK is a sure way to enjoy your gap year. Don’t let the rainy weather stop you from travelling to this beautiful country! Taking a Gap year in the UK could lead you from the Scilly Isles to the Cotswolds. Train fares don’t have to burn a hole in your pockets. Consider a yearly railcard and get 1/3 off your rail travel, special offers and rewards from partners.
• Paid employment – Earning money will help you fund your gap year ventures. Consider agency work, a paid corporate internship or summer placement.
• Work experience – if you want to gain experience in a particular field, work experience may be for you. Although sometimes unpaid, work experience can be a great stepping stone into your career.
• Part-time courses – Why not try a course in something you never considered before? TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a popular course native English-speaking people can embark on where they teach English to people who do not speak it as their first language (Psst! We have a 10% off unique discount code for all accredited courses: 47202F4A )
• Maybe a new language, trying a new sport or even something practical like cookery, mechanics or beauty.

Gap Year Advice

What do you want to achieve from a gap year.

Be sure to set some goals before you embark on your Gap Year. Whether that’s gaining new experiences, travelling across different regions, picking up new skills or simply considering your future ventures. Balance your time between adventure and productivity to ensure you’ll be on the right path.

How much money will you need?

You’ll need to fund your year’s expenses either through external financial help or paid work. Set yourself a budget and separate your finances by setting up a digital bank account to see exactly what you are saving and what your outgoings are. Budget sheets are also a great tool to consider your outgoings against your income. Costs will vary depending on accommodation, region and travel so planning at this stage is key!

Find additional funding

Filter, find and apply for scholarships, grants or bursaries 
via the Funding Hub on Blackbullion.

Our Services

College Admissions Counseling

UK University Admissions Counseling

EU University Admissions Counseling

College Athletic Recruitment

Crimson Rise: College Prep for Middle Schoolers

Indigo Research: Online Research Opportunities for High Schoolers

Delta Institute: Work Experience Programs For High Schoolers

Graduate School Admissions Counseling

Private Boarding & Day School Admissions

Online Tutoring

Essay Review

Financial Aid & Merit Scholarships

Our Leaders and Counselors

Our Student Success

Crimson Student Alumni

Our Reviews

Our Scholarships

Careers at Crimson

University Profiles

US College Admissions Calculator

GPA Calculator

Practice Standardized Tests

SAT Practice Test

ACT Practice Tests

Personal Essay Topic Generator

eBooks and Infographics

Crimson YouTube Channel

Summer Apply - Best Summer Programs

Top of the Class Podcast

ACCEPTED! Book by Jamie Beaton

Crimson Global Academy

+1 (646) 419-3178

Go back to all articles

Thinking About Taking a Gap Year? Here Are Some Pros and Cons to Consider

With COVID circumstances throwing a wrench into many students’ college plans, the prospect of delaying the start of university poses a practical solution for some. Whether you’re considering deferring enrollment or postponing your college applications until the next admissions cycle, there are some pros and cons to mull over.

Pro: If the school(s) you’re interested in have made drastic changes to campus operations due to COVID, you may be able to wait it out. Your daydreams about beginning your college career probably haven’t included online classes or quarantined dorm life. Universities are handling the pandemic as best as they can, but even in the most well-managed circumstances, this year’s freshmen may not get the new student experience they signed up for.

Con: Come back-to-school season, circumstances could be much different — meaning the decision to wait it out could be in vain. If there’s one fact about life during a pandemic that rings true for all of us, it’s that you can never predict how the situation will evolve. Your dream school may be operating remotely for now, but in a few months’ time, things could be much closer to pre-COVID than you anticipate.

Pro: If you’ve begun a passion project and want to see it through, eliminating academics for a year can provide the time you need to jump in. Whether you’ve got a brilliant idea for a research project or have been waiting for the perfect time to start a nonprofit, taking time away from school to throw yourself into it can be immensely beneficial for your resume and can arm you with some practical experience as you head off to university.

Con: Spending time away from academics can make it difficult to find your way back. Have you ever come back to school after a winter break or summer vacation and felt a bit of inertia working against you? If you don’t use your time away from school wisely, coming back to academics after several months off could make it more difficult to revive good study habits and an eagerness to learn.

Pro: You can spend the extra time developing interpersonal skills and professional competence that may leave you better prepared for college. The transition to university can be challenging in many ways — especially if you’re worried about staying safe and healthy in a new environment. If the thought of moving into a college dorm in a few short months gives you social anxiety, spending a year working, interning or volunteering could give you a chance to hone the crucial soft skills and confidence you’ll need to feel comfortable and excited to start the next chapter.

Con: As your peers head off to uni, you may feel like you’re falling behind. After you’ve spent much of your high school career mapping out your path to college, deciding to delay your enrollment can leave you feeling discouraged or defeated. You’ll have to consider how starting late while most of your friends head off to college may affect you, and whether it’s worth taking a risk.****

Pro: The past year has been difficult for most of us, and perhaps you deserve a well-earned break. The pandemic has hit communities, families and individuals hard, and for some, the circumstances have been particularly challenging. Balancing your mental health with your studies is paramount, and sometimes that can mean taking a reprieve from your studies to pursue other enriching activities like volunteering or traveling (within the bounds of your country’s limitations, of course).

** Con: Depending on how you want to spend your gap year and where you live, executing those plans could be harder than you expect.** While taking a break from academics to redirect your energy towards something else could be advantageous, COVID circumstances have undeniably limited work and travel opportunities. Going into a gap year with unrealistic expectations can lead to a mountain of disappointment.

There’s no clear-cut answer to the question of whether or not to take a gap year. However, one universal truth is that if you decide to delay the start of university, it’s imperative that you use the extra time wisely . Research your options the same way you’ve researched different colleges and fields of study to make sure you’re informed about all your options — whether you head straight to uni or take some time away — before making a decision.

Not sure if a gap year is the right choice for you? Wondering how best to utilize an extra year between schooling? We can help! Crimson’s mentors have supported hundreds of students in finding the right extracurriculars and career experiences to help them get on a path to success, in college and beyond. To learn how Crimson can advise you on whether taking a gap year is the right decision — and how to use it if you do — click the link below and schedule a free one hour consultation with one of our Academic Advisors.

More Articles

How to make your college application stand out with a theme.

What Is Deca? Your Ultimate Guide to a Top Business and Leadership Extracurricular

How to Arrange Your Activities List on the Common App

Want to be a top US university applicant?

Crimson education is the world’s leading university admissions support company helping students get into universities like yale, harvard, stanford and more.

Just one more step to start saving colleges!

Sign up for an account or login to start your college list.

Pros and Cons of Gap Year

Question: I recently have been thinking about taking a gap year between high school and college. What are some advantages and disadvantages of doing this?

A gap year is a welcome break for many students but can also be frustrating to others. It may indeed be a way to recharge your battery or to explore activities near home or afar that you never had time to experience before. However, students with lofty gap-year plans have been known to end up zoned out in front of "Full House" reruns or steamed up behind a fry-o-lator at the local Mickey D's. Thus, before deciding on a year off before college, it's important to assess your reasons for the change and to make sure you spend your time in an engaging way that meets these aims.

For instance, if your main objective is to get a breather from classrooms, tests, and homework assignments, a gap year can be a great way to do that. Whether you're working full time, pursuing an extracurricular interest (e.g., training for a triathlon or interning at the local TV station), or taking part in an organized travel, study, or volunteer program, it's important to have focus. We advise you to come up with a plan--at least a preliminary one--before you commit to the year off. One complaint we often hear from dissatisfied "gappers" is that, once their friends headed off to college in the fall and they didn't have any fulfilling activities on the docket, they regretted their decision.

If you have no clue about what to do, consider one of the organizations, like those below, that provide gap-year solutions. Some charge a fee for this advice--and the programs they recommend can be costly, too--so keep that in mind as you proceed. (We aren't endorsing any of these outfits. We've not heard bad things about any--only good--but it's still a "buyer-beware" situation):

www.interimprograms.com

www.timeoutassociates.com

www.dynamy.org/

You can actually earn money by volunteering for Americorps (or for its affiliated program City Year). See http://www.americorps.org/ and http://www.cityyear.org/

The biggest plus of a gap year is that many students who take time off before college find that the break from academics enables them to return to the classroom the following fall with renewed vigor and focus (and even maturity :-) ). Some parents (maybe yours?) and even some students, too, worry that a detour from college may lead to a long-term derailment, but this is rarely the case. Most gappers who take a year off of the academic treadmill are eager to climb back on when the time comes.

While often it makes sense to apply to college while still in high school (where you'll have access to guidance counselors and their services, teachers for recommendations, etc.), and then defer admission once admitted, some students find that after a year away, their priorities change, and they're interested in a different institution and/or major field. So one thing you'll need to consider as you proceed is a timeline ... will you make your college plans before your year off or during it?

Some students, too, view a gap year as a way to get into a "better" college than those that would have admitted them straight from high school. Typically, this is NOT an effective strategy. Most colleges base their decisions primarily on academic factors, so--if your year away does not include taking classes--then don't expect it to offer a back-door route to a top-choice college. However, there ARE stories out there about applicants whose gap-year efforts were sufficiently impressive that they led to acceptances at colleges that had already said "no" once before or that probably would have previously been somewhat out of range.

If you ARE hoping that your gap year will lead to better college options, be sure to choose your activities especially carefully so that admission folks regard your time away from school as worthwhile or even unique. For instance, if your applications already point to a particular passion (silk-screening or ceramics, playing the sitar, volunteering in a shelter for battered women or AIDS babies, etc.) then perhaps you can take that interest and involvement to the next level. That is, you can pursue it full time or in an atypical way or locale.

Getting a job--even a menial one--to help defray college costs would also be construed as "worthwhile" by admission officials. Many left-leaning elite-college admission staffers have some degree of prejudice against silver-spoon kids who spend a summer--or a year--studying, traveling, or "volunteering," only after Mom and Dad have written out a hefty check to pave the way. Thus, if you defer for a year, and then explain to colleges that your parents expect you to pay a portion of your own college expenses so you needed to earn significant cash before matriculating, then this could work in your favor when it comes to impressing admission committees.

Finally, keep in mind that, if you don't have any gap-year plans that truly excite you, then you might want to postpone your break until you've had a year or two of college under your belt. Some students feel they most need a hiatus at the end of high school, while others find that they get more bang for their buck only after they've had a taste of college life first.

Sally Rubenstone

Sally Rubenstone knows the competitive and often convoluted college admission process inside out: From the first time the topic of college comes up at the dinner table until the last duffel bag is unloaded on a dorm room floor. She is the co-author of Panicked Parents' Guide to College Admissions; The Transfer Student's Guide to Changing Colleges and The International Student's Guide to Going to College in America. Sally has appeared on NBC's Today program and has been quoted in countless publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Weekend, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, People and Seventeen. Sally has viewed the admissions world from many angles: As a Smith College admission counselor for 15 years, an independent college counselor serving students from a wide range of backgrounds and the author of College Confidential's "Ask the Dean" column. She also taught language arts, social studies, study skills and test preparation in 10 schools, including American international schools in London, Paris, Geneva, Athens and Tel Aviv. As senior advisor to College Confidential since 2002, Sally has helped hundreds of students and parents navigate the college admissions maze. In 2008, she co-founded College Karma, a private college consulting firm, with her College Confidential colleague Dave Berry, and she continues to serve as a College Confidential advisor. Sally and her husband, Chris Petrides, became first-time parents in 1997 at the ripe-old age of 45. So Sally was nearly an official senior citizen when her son Jack began the college selection process, and when she was finally able to practice what she had preached for more than three decades.

More on Applying to College

Authentic Voice in College Essays

That’s why you want to use your authentic voice when writing any college essay .

So what’s the problem? A student has shared an ess…

College Interview Prep Tips: Brainstorm, Research, Analyze, Generalize

I recently visited Washington University in Saint Louis and was lucky enough to set up an interview. By speaking with peers of mi…

Academic Index Scores: Why They Matter and How They're Calculated

Note: Click here for 10 Summer Programs You Can Still Apply For or keep reading to learn more about academic index scores.

7 Podcasts for Students Going Through the Admissions Process

Podcasts can offer a wealth of information to busy students, particularly when it comes to the college admissions process. We…

Avoid College Application Regrets: Tips For Getting It Right the First Time

Decision Day occurs each year on May 1st and is the deadline for students to inform the college of their choice of their intent t…

Get a student loan that goes beyond tuition.

Ascent offers cosigned and non-cosigned student loans with exclusive benefits that set students up for success.

Find Your Scholarship

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Admissions open for session 2024-25 Apply Now

The Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year Before College

By Asha Rani,    Last Updated 18 Nov, 2023    5 min read

Table of Contents

Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Gap Year Before College

After high school, is college the next logical step? A growing percentage of high school graduates are opting to take a break from their studies to concentrate on other aspects of their lives rather than immediately enrolling in college. This is called a “gap year,” and it’s a good way to begin your academic experience.

What Exactly Is a College Gap Year?

Between high school graduation and college enrollment, a student can spend their gap year to work, volunteer, travel, or make other college-related plans. A gap year might be shorter or longer, depending on the needs of the student, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gap years are not usually twelve months long. The basic idea behind a gap year is that it allows students to reflect, gather life experience, and determine their college major. This is true regardless of the length of the absence.

A student can use their gap year in a number of ways, such as:

Working : It is simpler to save money for college when you are not enrolled in classes.

Volunteering : Being a young individual without a career or college road ahead of them, you have a special opportunity to participate in a lot of voluntary work. In fact, there are gap year programs that are expressly tailored to support young people in similar situations.

Traveling : A gap year is an opportunity to take a break from work and spend time exploring the world on your own, whether via volunteer work or recreation.

Getting life experience – Acquire some crucial “adult” abilities that you will require in college and the early years of your work. This is incredibly valuable personal growth.

Benefits of Taking a Year Off :

Students who take a gap year can learn more about their own abilities and objectives, allowing them to enter college prepared for their desired professional path. Additionally, it provides perspective, enabling the student to consider their objectives free from the pressure of exams and written assignments. The following are some advantages of deciding to take a year off work:

Get Experience in the Workplace

It’s likely that you did not have much time to work while in school if you were a busy high school student, at least not in a position that resembled a career. You have the chance to gain some work experience by taking a gap year. Your ability to make judgments about which career route will best suit your individual experiences, aspirations, and skill set can be added by that work experience.

Take a Break to Recharge

You have just completed 12 years of education. Would you mind taking a break before plunging into another four (or more)? When your educational batteries are being recharged, this can be rather rejuvenating. You get the opportunity to recover from the stresses of high school by taking a year off before college.

“You may also visit this blog Pros and Cons of Living On Campus vs Off Campus “.

Explore Your Options

Beyond school, there are a lot of life experiences to be had. You might be free to travel, discover new places within your own house, or meet people who aren’t comfortable around you. These experiences are worthwhile and meaningful in a different way than those gained in a classroom.

Gain New Life Skills

You’ll acquire life skills along with those fresh experiences in life. Learn time management, budgeting, cooking, cleaning a house or apartment, and navigating your neighborhood during your gap year. You will experience college in a far less daunting manner if you have mastered these life skills prior to leaving for college.

Make Extra Cash

You can work full-time hours if you take an extra year off before attending college. This makes it easier for you to make extra cash for educational expenses like tuition. You can work as many hours as you like because you are not bound by the expectations of a school schedule.

Cons of taking Year Off :

Not every student finds success in delaying their college attendance by a year. Your academic ambitions may be derailed, and it may be more difficult to correct course. Think about the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to do this:

Re-entry into College could be more challenging

You’re already living in a “school” mentality. Getting back into the groove of things might be challenging after a year off. You might find that when you take that year off, your study habits and learning capacities decline. This is something to think about if you’re not very excited about learning.

Feelings of being behind your Peers

Upon returning to school following your year off, a few of your classmates will have advanced one year. One of the more experienced freshmen in your class might be you. Many students don’t find this to be a problem. The present college scenario is less problematic because there are more adult learners, but you still need to think about whether you will feel left out if you graduate from high school a year behind everyone else.

“ After getting full Knowledge about this blog, must visit on this blog must visit High Salary Courses After 12th in All Stream “

Lost Momentum

After high school, you have a lot of momentum. The prospect of attending college and gaining knowledge excites you. You may lose that momentum if you take a year off to work. Fortunately, research indicates that 90% of kids who take a gap year do ultimately enroll in college, so losing momentum is not necessarily a major issue.

Working during a gap year might be profitable. It might be costly to spend gap years traveling and experiencing new things. Make sure you can afford the adventures you want to have and that you are making the most of your gap year before you take one.

Needs Advance Planning

It will take some planning for your gap year, especially if you intend to travel. You will lose out on the chances that come with taking a gap year if you don’t put any effort into planning. Make sure you use the year off for yourself if you decide to take one.

Advice for planning a year off :

Here are some things to think about if you decide a gap year is right for you:

Seek guidance: Consult with those who have already taken a gap year in addition to exploring your alternatives. Make sure to gather advice from others and ask lots of questions so that you can prepare for your own gap year.

Make a budget:  To assist you financially prepare, make a budget if you already know you intend to take a gap year or if you know what your emphasis is. When possible, cut costs, but schedule your outlays so that you can maximize the value of your trip as well.

Create a network:  Spend time building your network throughout your year off to aid in your future professional endeavors. Make sure you establish solid professional relationships with everyone you meet, for instance, if you take on an internship or a part-time work. You never know when you might need their reference or how they might point you in the direction of worthwhile employment chances.

Conclusion :

In summary, each student should consider the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year in light of their unique circumstances, goals, and preferences. When well thought out and planned for, a gap year can be a life-changing experience that gives students a strong foundation for the chances and challenges they will face in their pursuit of higher education and careers.

Our Campuses

AJ Campus 001

Sai Group of Institutions

AJ Campus 002

Gyani Inder Singh Institute of Professional Studies

AJ Campus 003

Himalayan Institute of Pharmacy and Research

AJ Campus 004

Sanjivani Group of Institutions

Maharashtra

AJ Campus 005

Govind Paramedical Institute

Fill this easy form

Select Payment Model Pay After Placement Money Back Program Basic Payment Plan

Select Course MBA BBA BCA B.Com BHA BSC-IT BTech CS BSc OTT Polytechnic BMRIT D.Pharma B.Pharma

Choose the college which suits you best!

New message.

Money Back Program Basic Payment Program

BSc OTT BMRIT

Select Payment Model Pay After Placement Money Back Gaurantee Basic Payment Plan

Get a Callback

And our experts will help you to get through your queries and Crack the Exam

Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Gap Year Essay Sample

In the final year of high school, students must decide what to do after graduating, whether they want to continue their studies or take a gap year before going to university. Nowadays, it is quite common for many high school graduates to take a year off. A gap year is usually twelve months or more between secondary school and university, spent traveling or working. Although there are positives of taking a gap year such as widening horizons and enjoying greater independence, there is also a drawback, namely detachment from studies.

The main advantage of getting a job before college is expanding horizons. Firstly, being employed before attending university is an excellent opportunity for graduates who do not know what major to study at university to discover what their interests and goals are. Secondly, employed people have a regular income. High school graduates who try to build a career before entering university are independent of their parents.

On the other hand, working before college also has a disadvantage, which is getting detached from studies. For many young people, it could be hard to go off to college and learn again after taking a gap year, because they get used to a regular income and lose learning ability. Besides, some people do not want to return to school after a gap year or they drop out of college after the first semester, because of their idea that obtaining a university degree is a waste of time.

To sum up, taking a break from entering school provides graduates with increased independence. However, there is a chance of not finishing college due to a gap year. In conclusion, deciding whether to go to university right after graduating from high school or taking a year off and being in occupation is important and every high school senior should think about this. In my opinion, working before college is a smart idea if people are not sure what to study. I believe that people who take a gap year should try to study university and obtain an academic degree, even if they have a well-paid job because I think a number of these people will need a university degree in the future.

Related Samples

• The Truth about Dress Codes and Uniforms Research Paper Example
• Schools Need to Reopen Essay Example
• Should Teachers Carry Guns In School Essay Example
• Part-time Job During High School Essay Example
• Essay on Advantages of School Uniforms
• Trade School After Highschool Essay Example
• My Definition of a Writer (Reflective Essay Example)
• The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools
• College Athletes Should Be Paid Argumentative Essay
• The Unhealthy Diet of College Students Research Paper

Didn't find the perfect sample?

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Gap Year | Band 8 Essay Sample

Essay topic

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this .

Band 8 essay sample

In many countries, youngsters are often encouraged to take an year off, to work or travel across the world, before embarking on their formal university education. This recent trend, also known as “gap – year”, has numerous merits and a few demerits, which will be discussed in this essay.

To begin with, the biggest advantage of taking sabbatical to explore the world is that it gives them an opportunity to discover their career interest. Such trips are not only fun , but also  gives  them  a chance  to  socialise , engage in volunteering, and understand global issues  and global culture . This helps them to discover their real passion which is the foundation stone for a fulfilling career. For instance, data from Harvard University, 2010, pointed out that drop-out rate from university courses is around 10 percent less in those children who chose the course after taking a “gap year” in comparison to those who headed straight to university after the high school.

In addition to this, working for a year before starting university reduces the financial burden of higher education to an extent. As the advanced studies are costly in most countries, working for a year helps them in saving money so they have to borrow less money and are under less financial debt, when they start higher studies.

In contrast to above viewpoints, the most significant disadvantage of such a break is that it can be a distraction from further studies. Some students find such breaks so relaxing and enjoyable that they decide to shun further studies permanently.

Although the incidences of such cases are few, the effects can be disastrous for their further career. For instance, a 2010 report from Florida University revealed that 1 in 100 students, who take “Gap-year” never go for advanced studies and struggle throughout their life to make the ends meet because of being unskilled.

To conclude, the break of a year taken before pursuing university studies helps students to discover their career interest and also allows them to consolidate financially. However, for a minority of high school graduates it can lead to an end of  an academic career .

(357 words)

Share with friends

Scan below qr code to share with your friends, related ielts tips.

Essay Writing Evaluation with model answer for band 8

  Here’s a recently asked Essay Writing Question- Most countries...

Band 8 Sample | Causes of Obesity

Essay topic In some countries the average weight of people is increasing...

Essay topic In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel...

Self-employment is better than a job in a company

Some people say that self-employment is better than a job in a company...

Band 8 Sample About The Advantages And Disadvantages Of English As A Global Language

The advantages provided by English as a global language will continue to...

Thank you for contacting us!

We have received your message.

We will get back within 48 hours.

You have subscribed successfully.

Thank you for your feedback, we will investigate and resolve the issue within 48 hours.

Your answers has been saved successfully.

Add Credits

You do not have enough iot credits.

Your account does not have enough IOT Credits to complete the order. Please purchase IOT Credits to continue.

The Disadvantages of a Gap Year Before College

The Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year

You’re about to graduate from high school, and you're considering the next step. After 13 years of school, taking a break is an enticing option. Before you decide to stop going to school, consider the disadvantages of taking a gap year. In addition to losing momentum, you may find a year away from school to be an expensive break.

Examine your options and discuss your future interests with family or a trusted mentor before making a firm decision. You may even want to write down the advantages and disadvantages of a gap year to get the full picture.

Don’t Lose Your Academic Edge

You may be experiencing burnout from test taking and paper writing, but absence from academic work may cause you to lose some of what you’ve learned. Going directly to college is a continuation of your academic learning. You’ve developed study habits and know how to hit the books. If you take a break, you’ll need a refresher on study skills and time-management skills.

Disadvantages of Gap Year Travel

Traveling the world is an enticing alternative to sitting in a classroom, but it isn’t free of charge. Traveling abroad can be very expensive, and some of the formalized programs cost as much if not more than a year of college tuition. You can defray the expense by working as an au pair or by serving in the Peace Corps, but you’ll have to be ready to commit a lot of time and energy to the application process.

It Can Be Tough to Go Back

One of the disadvantages of a student gap year is that it will be tough to go back to school. If you start earning money and experiencing a life free of school responsibilities, it can be difficult to regain the discipline needed to be a student. If you’re interested in traveling, consider going to college and pursuing a semester abroad. You’ll be able to continue your studies and see the world at the same time.

Saving Money Can Be a Catch 22

You may be weighing the financial advantages and disadvantages of a gap year. Living on your own can be expensive, and you may find that it’s difficult to save money for college. If you’re able to live with family for free, it’s possible to save enough money to put a dent in your first year of college tuition costs. Participating in a formal gap year program could eat away at the savings that could otherwise be dedicated to your college tuition.

You’ll Be Behind Other Students

One of the disadvantages of a student gap year is that you’ll be behind other students when you return to school. This is particularly concerning if you’re interested in going to college with friends or you’re pursuing an academic program that requires postgraduate education.

For example, becoming a physician may require eight years of education following your undergraduate degree. A gap year eats up another year of time that could be dedicated to an academic program.

Planning Can Be a Challenge

One of the disadvantages of a gap year is that you’ll need to be well organized and plan to get the most out of your break from school. As you finish up high school, you’ll have final exams, graduation parties and other end-of-year responsibilities that will consume your time.

If you want to make the most out of a gap year, you’ll need to start planning early on during your senior year. Traveling abroad, admission to a gap year program or finding a job in another country takes a great deal of time and effort.

Related Articles

How Lack of Time Management Affects College Students

Having Trouble Adjusting to College Life? Follow These 5 Tips

Disadvantages & Advantages of School Holidays

How to Get Ready to Go Back to College as an Adult

How to Quit Your Job & Go to School Full Time

Advantages & Disadvantages of Working While Going to School

Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking a Year Off of Education

The Pros and Cons of Moving Out of Your Parents' Home

• Bright Knowledge: Gap Years: Pros and Cons
• Global Citizen Year: Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year

Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years.

Shop these stylish pieces from Amazon for summer — starting at $9

• Share this —

• Watch Full Episodes
• Read With Jenna
• Inspirational
• Relationships
• TODAY Table
• Newsletters
• Start TODAY
• Shop TODAY Awards
• Citi Concert Series
• Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

• On The Show
• TODAY Plaza

How a gap year before college changed my view on life — and my future

“It’s day one of a really uncertain year … here’s to adventure, I guess.” I naively wrote those words on the first page of a brown leather journal that followed me into more than 100 random “host houses” that I nomadically called home for a year. 

Like many 18-year-olds, high school was the necessary stepping-stone for college. I was insistently Type A in high school with an intense focus on top grades and engaging in extracurriculars, with the foresight of a well-dressed college application and a sheer determination to prove that I would find success upon leaving my small Texas hometown.

But I’ll always remember the melancholic feeling of a rolled diploma in my hand as I walked across the graduation stage. Much of my academic efforts had felt more like sleepwalking rather than learning. I craved an experience that would make me feel strongly about something — a cause, mission or profession, I wasn’t sure.

In July, a month before my college move-in date, I found that opportunity: I had applied for and was selected to travel across the country on behalf of the Future Farmers of America, a nonprofit organization I had been involved with in high school. The role required deferring a year of college to visit and speak at different high schools — 317 in total — and advocate for agriculture education in the classroom.

An FFA staff member handed me the keys to a Ford truck that was wrapped with elaborate rolling fields of crops down the side doors. I was given a list of schools to visit, a travel partner named Conner, a couple weeks of training and a clothes hanging rack for the back seat. 

I wasn’t a wanderlust bohemian. I had a plan. A plan to go to college, major in business and become a CEO. But something within me knew before I attempted to lay out a career path, I needed to see more. My gap year didn’t squash my aspirations — it challenged them, flipping my 10-year plan on its head, making me ask why.

I needed to see more. My gap year didn’t squash my aspirations — it challenged them, flipping my 10-year plan on its head, making me ask why.

Washington, D.C., was the first travel stop for Conner and me. I’ll never forget an early morning that took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I sat in awe as the sunrise’s gleam reflected on the water. To my right I smelled and peripherally saw a large, hairy animal — maybe standard in my hometown Gilmer, Texas, but not on the National Mall.

“Goat’s name is Miles,” said a voice hidden behind the large mammal. “And I’m Steve. We’re sort of a team.”

Interest piqued, I petted Miles and listened to Steve share the duo’s unlikely journey. From Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., they had trekked 3,600 miles over four years, raising over $100,000 for a startup orphanage in Kenya. Quitting his job, departing normalcy and choosing an adventure that impacted and united folks across the globe.

Steve and Miles didn’t inspire me to call my admissions counselor and bail on my college degree, but they did challenge me to think about my life in its limited totality. That encounter left me wondering how I wanted to help the world, how I planned to change it, and thinking less about what was ordinary and practical. As an 18-year-old, being given the freedom to think imaginatively before re-entering the classroom walls provided a substantial framework for when I began at my university.

In total my gap year brought me to 18 states and across 60,000 miles. Each night, organized through FFA, a volunteer guest host kindly provided us a place to sleep. A new face, new life story and a newly gained perspective. Those lessons learned around 150 random American family dinner tables may have been my most significant takeaway.

It’s not lost on me that my experience was not a typical gap year. Host homes, school visits and living out of a truck are not the gap year norm. But regardless of structure, gap years take on their own mold. And when approached with intentionality, they produce an environment where failure is encouraged and growth is inevitable.

Part of my gap year with FFA was working alongside rural media to promote agriculture education. I became fascinated by media work: local radio shows, writing scripts for promotional videos, and the couple times I got to be on a camera set — all things I never saw much of growing up and had no clue could be a real profession. 

I minored in journalism at Texas A&M University a few years later, wrote for the school’s satirical paper and applied to over 50 journalism internships throughout college.

The spring of my junior year I interned at TODAY and soon became a full-time employee — all thanks to a year that allowed me to make sense of where my passions met profession.

The last words on the final page of that now tattered journal from my gap year read, “Too much to capture on paper but I have written enough to transport me back to these wonderful moments of life.”

More than fond memories, I find those moments have etched themselves into my core self, helping direct the next adventure ahead.

After my dad died, I took a cross-country road trip to reconnect with nature and recapture our past

Advantages of an imaginary dad

I found my dad’s old report card. It taught me a lot about his struggle with addiction

I’m 48 and my husband is 29. That won’t stop us from having a baby

My child identified as gender-fluid. Then, they didn’t

This is what surprised me about ‘mom friends’ after becoming a parent

I thought my son loved our family trips. Now I see I was just being selfish

How Taiwan won the hearts of my American kids

My on-again, off-again relationship with Mother’s Day

What we don’t talk about when we talk about becoming a mother

The Pros & Cons of Taking a Gap Year

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of dedicating a gap year to personal growth through travel..

•  Share on Facebook
•  Share on Twitter
•  Share on Pinterest

A gap year is a dedicated period of time, often taken by young adults, where you take a break from your normal job or academia and instead pursue growth through experiences. Gap years often involve international travel, working holidays , volunteering , or internships .

However, domestic gap years are also becoming increasingly common and many find they can achieve the benefits of a gap year without leaving their country or local area. No matter what you choose to dedicate your time to, it is important to understand the pros and cons of a gap year before setting off on your adventure.

Pro: The skills you'll gain can help your resume stand out

A gap year provides the opportunity for you to develop valuable skills that can't be learned in the classroom. Cultural awareness, organization, independence, and increased confidence are just some of the skills that are gained by taking a year out. According to the Gap Year Association Data and Benefits , gap year alumni also report higher job satisfaction.

Read more: What Do Employers Think of International Experience?

Con: You'll be ‘pausing’ your studies or traditional job for a year

As your friends immediately move on to college, or to their next semester, or your colleagues have another year of ‘climbing the ladder,’ it is important to recognize the opportunity cost associated with taking intentional time off. What you spend your time doing during your gap year, however, can quickly make up for the apparent ‘time lost’ as you are still learning, growing, and working towards your goals, just through new and exciting means.

Read more : Why and How to Defer College Acceptance for a Gap Year

Pro: You'll meet new people and gain a broader perspective

A gap year will push you out of your comfort zone and day-to-day activities, which will inherently put new people into your life. Whether it's through cultural immersion in another country or volunteering locally, the more people you meet the more you will learn about humanity and yourself.

Con: You might get homesick

A feeling most travelers experience at some point, homesickness is the emotional ‘pain’ experienced when away from your family, friends, pets, and overall safety net. If your gap year involves international travel, taking care of your mental health and recognizing if and when you need help is important.

Many gappers are new to solo travel, and the same challenges and discomfort that force growth also come with hard times and a barrage of emotions. Missing family, friends, or simply home comforts is completely natural during a gap year and doesn't make it any less meaningful, so don’t be afraid to experience the hard times as well as the good ones.

Pro: You'll gain stories through new experiences

Experiential learning is a key component of making the most out of a gap year , and after spending a year away the stories will mount up; these can be great conversation starters during a job interview, a fun way to connect with people at parties or, simply just to look back on and remember. Journaling is a great way to not lose track of the memories you're making throughout your gap year, as well as reflect on the lessons those experiences provide.

Con: There are financial and personal risks

With every decision we make comes risk, and a gap year is certainly no exception. Whether it's hefty fees or general travel obstacles, like getting sick overseas, mitigating the risks through planning is a must.

One way to help alleviate some anxiety and risk is by signing up and traveling with a gap year program . There are a wide range of program options in nearly every country you’d like to gap year in, and range from volunteering to adventure travel , to language immersion and much more.

All travelers should also consider travel insurance. Travel insurance providers, like World Nomads or Safety Wing , can offer temporary and customizable options, so whether you've lost your checked luggage or a pandemic breaks out while you're abroad, you'll be protected.

For most, the benefits of a gap year far outweigh the risks, but whether that is true for you depends on your unique circumstances.

Pro: Helps to avoid burnout after years of schooling or work

A gap year is a chance to be in complete control of your schedule and invest your time in experiences that drive you. With most of us grinding through 12 or more years of school and work, taking an intentional break to travel, volunteer, or just do something new can help prevent burnout and reinvigorate the motivation needed to achieve your goals. Just because it's a break from the ordinary doesn't mean you stop working towards the future; actually, a gap year should be seen as a year on, not a year off.

Read more : Should You Take a Gap Year After High School? Pros & Cons

Con: It can be expensive

While the cost of a gap year depends on the destination, duration, program, and activities you plan to do on your trip, expenses can add up quickly. Many choose to help fund a gap year by picking up short-term employment, or through work exchange programs like WWOOF .

Generally, with all trips, it's best to outline costs ahead of time and plan to stick to a budget while you're overseas. Even on a budget, this trip will still be a blast!

Read more: Most Affordable Gap Year Programs

Pro: It’s a great way to learn new things, outside of your comfort zone

A gap year will provide you with lessons not found in a classroom. Whether it’s gaining real-world experience related to your studies, or chasing new experiences through travel and picking up odd jobs, a gap year lets you learn as you do by forcing you into completely new situations.

Additionally, a gap year is a time to learn more about yourself, what drives and inspires you, and grow your self-confidence. Whether you’re volunteering, working, studying, or just traveling, you're bound to learn.

Con: Travel preparation can be stressful

Scheduling vaccinations, getting tickets and insurance, sorting out visas and accommodation -- all before the journey has even begun! For many, a gap year is the first introduction to solo travel, or taking on life without ‘guardrails.’ Uncertainty is often accompanied by stress, and a gap year is full of uncertainty.

Whether it’s language barriers, currency, or trying to work out the public transport systems, there are a lot of stressful situations that come with travel, but you don’t have to do it alone. Gap year programs are a great way to get situated and meet like-minded travelers. Just be sure to read reviews first !

Pro: It’s a break from traditional education

Our formal schooling is a marathon, and after years of sitting in a classroom, our minds and bodies need a break. Taking time off from traditional education provides an opportunity to consider what the right course is, and if you’ll be satisfied in the career track you’re currently on. Not only this, but a gap year often provides a renewed vigor for study and a more focused approach to learning. According to the Wall Street Journal , 90% of students who take a gap year return to college the next year.

Con: If you don't set goals, it could potentially waste a lot of time

When you take a break from the structure of traditional schooling or a set job schedule, it is important to be intentional with what you do with your time, or before you know it, it will be gone. To prevent wasted time, you should start planning and saving as soon as you decide to take a gap year. It may be helpful to set goals for yourself so you don’t lose track of time or miss deadlines. When dealing with international travel, things like visa applications can take time and travel becomes much more expensive if you procrastinate.

Pro: You'll return home with a new sense of maturity and confidence

The pros and cons of taking a gap year all add to the opportunities to overcome challenges and grow. Taking charge of your life and how you spend your time will force you to mature, as you are solely responsible for yourself.

People who take gap years often report that their family and friends say you’ve changed when they return home, but it’s never in a bad way. A gap year introduces many new ideas and experiences that foster growth in a relatively short period of time.

Is a gap year right for you?

If you're looking to learn new things through travel and can dedicate time to self-growth and exploration, then YES, you should consider a gap year!

There’s no denying that spending time abroad will enhance your résumé, teach you valuable new skills, and grow your confidence through unique experiences. The benefits of a gap year can't be touted enough, but, a gap year is not for everyone and there are other things you can consider. Especially for individuals who are new to traveling or can't commit to time away from school, there may be better options, like studying abroad .

Want to learn more about gap years, directly from the experts? Don't miss USA Gap Year Fairs ! The USA GYF will provide a broad exposure to gap year options and connect prospective gap year students, parents, gap year organizations, educators, experts, and alumni.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, should i take a gap year before starting college.

Hi collegevine, I'm a high school junior and I'm considering taking a gap year before starting college. What are the pros and cons of taking a gap year, and how might it affect my college admissions process? Are there any specific things I should consider when deciding whether or not to take a gap year? I appreciate any advice you can offer!

Hello! It's great that you're thinking ahead and considering the possibility of a gap year. There are definitely pros and cons to taking a gap year, and ultimately, the decision will depend on your personal goals and circumstances. I'd be happy to outline some of the factors you might want to consider.

1. A gap year can provide valuable life experiences, personal growth, and maturity.

2. It gives you an opportunity to explore your interests and passions, which could help you make a more informed decision about your major or career path.

3. You could use the time to gain work experience, volunteer, or travel, all of which can be enriching and beneficial in the long run.

1. Taking a gap year could potentially make the college application process more challenging. Some colleges may require additional documentation or updates on what you've been doing during your time off.

2. You might experience a loss of academic momentum, making it difficult to get back into the swing of studying and coursework when you do start college.

3. There's a possibility that your financial aid package could be affected. Be sure to check with the schools you're interested in to see how a gap year might impact your eligibility for scholarships and other financial aid.

When deciding whether or not to take a gap year, it's essential to consider what you hope to achieve during that time, and how it will contribute to your personal and academic growth. Be sure to discuss your plans with your family, teachers, and counselors, and research how your prospective colleges handle gap years. Good luck with your decision!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

More From Forbes

Here's every reason you should take a gap year before college.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Most college-bound kids approach high school graduation with excitement and some trepidation. After all, it’s becoming harder and harder to know what exactly to study these days, and which degrees will lead to long-term careers. Technology may eliminate more jobs than it creates over the next few decades — and advanced automation is primed to wipe out entire industries altogether. At the same time, 18-year-olds are increasingly asked to commit to spending six figures or more for nothing more than a bachelor’s degree.

Worse, kids are asked to select a college major that could impact their entire life at a time when they barely know who they are or where they’re going. For this reason, it might make more sense for young people to choose to take a year off to learn more about the world — and maybe even more about themselves. This time is typically referred to as a gap year.

Photo Credit: Getty

What Is A Gap Year?

According to the Gap Year Association  (yes, there really is a thing), a gap year is “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."

In other words, gap years provide young people with time and space to learn about themselves and the world — much of which they haven’t seen or experienced as a child living in their parent’s home.

Unfortunately, there’s a stigma surrounding taking time off after high school to travel. Too many people believe not heading directly to a university means a young person is destined to work in a menial job forever and never go back to school.

But according to Gap Year Association data, 90% of students who take time off after high school enroll in a four-year institution within one year of completing their gap year break.

“Studies have shown that taking a gap year not only are tied to increases in college GPAs, but more significantly is tied to improved job satisfaction,” they note. “In short, taking the time to figure out what success looks like is a surefire way to be directed in achieving it.”

The Main Benefits Of A Gap Year

If you’re thinking a gap year is just a time to slack off and avoid the hard work required to pursue a college degree, think again. There are real benefits that result from gap year breaks spent in a new land you’re unfamiliar with — even if they’re only a few months or a semester long.

Here are some of the main perks of taking time off to travel before you dive into higher education head on:

See the world in a different way. According to the most recent study data from the Gap Year Association , students who took time off before college gained a greater understanding of the world we live in. Specifically, 94% said their time spent abroad helped them learn to communicate with people from different backgrounds, 93% report an increased interest in people from around the world, and 90% said they have a better understanding and respect for cultures different from their own. You can learn a ton about the world we live in by reading books or watching documentaries, but these experiences are not the same thing as showing up in a new country to see how it really works first-hand. And most of the time, learning by doing is much more impactful than any wisdom a college professor can impart.

Determine your real goals and the best way to achieve them. If you’re unsure what area you want to study in, it may not make sense to head straight to school. Spending a gap year traveling abroad can help you determine your goals before you select a college major or choose a career track you may be stuck with for the bulk of your entire life. Gap Year Association data noted that 84% of respondents to their study said their time abroad helped them learn skills that helped them become successful in their work. Further, 77% said their gap year helped them find their purpose in life, 75% said it helped them get a job, and 73% reported their gap year helped them prepare for college.

Find yourself without spending tens of thousands of dollars on higher education. It may be possible to learn about the future you want while in your first year at university, but there’s a high cost that comes with “finding yourself” at school. Keep in mind that the average cost of one year at a four-year, public school is $10,230 according to College Board , and those costs surge to $21,370 per year when you add in room and board. Think of how many countries and cultures you could explore for a fraction of that price. Young people can score a cheap economy ticket anywhere in the world and travel cheaply by staying in hostels or joining a study abroad or work abroad program. By opting to take time off to travel, they can find themselves and learn lessons they simply cannot pick up in school without accruing tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

Gain valuable career experience. Finally, don’t forget that a gap year can consist of a lot more than a boozy semester spent in hostels making new friends. In fact, many students who take a gap year spend that time in an international study or volunteer program. There are numerous organized gap year programs that provide an educational component and the structure some students need. Examples include Aardvark Israel , Art History Abroad , and Gap Year South Africa . If you are someone who wants to make sure your gap year counts, choosing an organized program with a stated purpose could be a smart move.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a parent of a child getting ready to graduate from high school or a student wondering if they should head straight to a university, it never hurts to consider taking some time off. International travel comes with inherent benefits, including the opportunity to learn about new people and the way the world works. And sometimes, you can combine travel with an educational opportunity that changes the way you think forever.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Essay about the disadvantages and advantages of taking a gap year. (Ielts writing task 2)

A gap year from school.

OP Skylar 1 / 1   Nov 18, 2018   #3 I'm truly grateful for your detailed correction. Thank you so much.

Should College Students Take a Gap Year?

• Categories: Gap Year

About this sample

Words: 721 |

Published: Jan 30, 2024

Words: 721 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, background information on gap years, discussion of the pros of taking a gap year, examination of the cons of taking a gap year, analysis of the counterarguments, a. opportunity for personal growth, b. chance to gain practical skills and knowledge, c. enhanced academic performance, a. delay in starting college, b. financial implications, c. increased risk of academic pressure and expectations, a. refutation of the idea that taking a gap year is a waste of time, b. refutation of the belief that a gap year is only for privileged individuals, c. addressing concerns about academic performance and faltering focus, references:.

• American Gap Association. (n.d.). Gap Year Statistics. https://www.americangap.org/statistics
• Chen, G. (2017, May 16). Taking a Year Off Before College? Consider These Pros and Cons. U.S.News. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/2017-05-16/taking-a-year-off-before-college-consider-these-pros-and-cons
• Coley, R. J., & Lohmeyer, B. E. (2010). Are they all the same? A comparison of the characteristics of students taking a gap year and students immediately entering college. Educational Research and Evaluation, 16(4), 301-319. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803611.2010.510307

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Education

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 2025 words

2 pages / 824 words

2 pages / 763 words

6 pages / 2900 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Gap Year

Advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year have long been debated among educators, parents, and students. A gap year, typically a year-long break between high school and college or during college, offers opportunities for [...]

Entering medical school is a significant step on the path to becoming a physician, and many students consider whether to take a gap year before embarking on this rigorous journey. A gap year, often a year-long break between [...]

In conclusion, my gap year has been a transformative experience that has not only contributed to my personal growth but also made a difference in the world around me. Through volunteering, cultural exchange, and community [...]

More and more students are taking their time out of formal education to go work or travel around the world. There aren’t any exact numbers but according to different researches, the number of gap year participants keeps rising [...]

The entrance examinations are just round the corner and with the results of some of them declared, the candidates and their parents are facing a prevalent dilemma of choosing between Government College and a Private college. [...]

During the 19th century, education required a hefty sum of money that only wealthy merchants and government officials could afford. Elementary through high school which we take for granted, are now free due to a law which, [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

The student gap year is evolving — and travel with purpose is more popular than ever

From enhancing a CV to benefitting a local community or travelling with purpose, the motives for students to take a gap year are increasingly nuanced.

For decades, the gap year recipe remained virtually unchanged: cheap hostels, all-night parties, banana pancakes and months spent ‘finding yourself’. Throw in some bungee jumping, quad biking and moped riding, along with days doing not very much, and you quickly paint the stereotypical picture of the fabled ‘year out’ of old.

The gap year travellers of today, though, are far more likely to be found doing   sunrise yoga on a beach before a day of volunteering. Evenings are less about getting blind drunk and more about   sitting around a campfire, herbal tea bubbling away on a stove, discussing the day’s work.

Once synonymous with those taking a break between A-levels and university, or after a degree, the gap year has evolved into a catch-all that includes anyone seeking an escape before joining the workforce. And according to Student Universe, the world’s largest youth travel agency, the post-pandemic era has seen the biggest shift in students’ desire and motivation to travel in 50 years.

While pure ‘leisure’ — fly and flop, adventure tours and festivals — still has a place in the market, the prevailing trend among gap year students is for educational or vocational trips.

“Their main goal is to do something ethical and responsible,” says Milly Whitehead, co-founder of specialist gap year travel company The Leap. “We’ve seen a huge growth in the demand for volunteering programmes and trips that have a proper structured itinerary.  

“They’re so much more discerning and into the fine detail of what a trip will involve than what we’ve seen in the past. The aim really is for a year out to add something to the future value of their CV and their UCAS [Universities and Colleges Admissions Service] form.”

It is a stark change from even a decade ago, Whitehead says, when most gap year travellers were happy flitting about until the kitty dried up and it was time to fly home.Her assessment is consistent with the findings of The State of Student and Youth Travel in 2024, the latest annual report by Student Universe. It surveyed 6,000 members of Generation Z — generally defined as those born between the mid-1990s and the late-2000s — in the UK, US, Canada and Australia to assess their motives for travel.

It suggested 79% would embark on a trip with the main intention being that the experience would make them more employable. It’s a theme that runs through the report: around 87% believed vocational travel would improve their employability, while 86% said they’d sign up to volunteer on a project related to their ideal future career path.

Jemma Gore-Booth, 21, says about half her year group at Emanuel School in southwest London decided to take a gap year before going to university. “Taking a gap year was common,” she says. “Of my nine closest friends, five travelled. I worked as a teaching assistant in London to build up funds and then started with a month in Sri Lanka volunteering as an English teacher before travelling to Thailand and Vietnam.”

When Gore-Booth set off for her year abroad in 2021, there were still strict Covid protocols in place, especially in Asia, and the looming threat of further restrictions. Such risks, she says, still made it a more attractive proposition than online learning, plus she’d always intended to take a year out. “I really didn’t want to do any of my university degree online, but I was also nervous about the travel situation,” she says.

Gore-Booth is far from alone. Latest figures reveal that a record number of British teenagers who studied for GCSE and A-levels through the pandemic opted to take a gap year before starting further education. Figures from UCAS, released last summer when A-level results were published, showed more than 73,000 students applied to defer their place for a   year — an increase of almost 10% compared to the previous year.

Jump around

One of the biggest shifts Whitehead has seen in the 20 years since she and her husband Guy founded The Leap is the pace at which people want to travel. “It really needs to be pacy to keep everybody focused and energised,” she says. “Heaven knows how we kept people entertained for eight weeks back in the day. It was more go and teach in a school in the morning, maybe do something else in the afternoon… but all much slower. That just doesn’t wash now.” These days, she adds, “it has to be ‘bang, bang, bang’: a variety of projects, a variety of adventures. Every day has to be different.”

Experiences offered by The Leap include volunteering with organisations such as Oceans Alive Trust, a non-profit organisation that works to halt coral loss and boost fish stocks; beach cleaning in Costa Rica; or assisting with a community reforestation project in Barichara, Columbia.   Most programmes average about five weeks and include language learning alongside training in a skill, such as diving.

The demand for more structured programmes is a trend that Student Universe is also adapting to. “That desire of younger travellers to think ‘I’ll get on a flight and see where life   takes me’ has shifted somewhat,” says Sam Willan, vice president of global marketing. “Maybe it was blissful ignorance, but now our travellers definitely want to feel more looked after.”

Willan says the company has also seen a gradual move towards young people taking several shorter trips over the course of a gap year, as opposed to one long adventure. These typically follow a similar pattern: a learning holiday, a working or volunteering trip and then travelling.

“It all comes down to career development again,” he says. “There’s a real drive among gappers to end up with experiences that will bolster their CV while building themselves as culturally aware, well-rounded individuals.” When participants in the The State of Student and Youth Travel in 2024 were asked ‘what appeals to you about taking a vacation?’, partying and clubbing came bottom, with just 21% of the 6,000 respondents selecting it. Top of the list was sightseeing and city activities (70%) followed by experiencing different cultures (68%) and relaxing and rejuvenating (61%).

According to Willan, gap year operators are also reporting subtle shifts in the countries gappers are choosing, with former staples in Southeast Asia — notably Laos, Thailand and Vietnam — losing some of their lustre and the likes of India, South Africa, Brazil and Peru on the rise.  

Whitehead reports a similar trend, with destinations that were among the first to lift Covid border restrictions benefitting from a rise in student travellers. “Central and South America were the first to reopen after the pandemic and really started the drumbeat,” she says. “What we’ve seen is that as more students have travelled there in recent years, word of mouth has followed through year groups.

“There’s a feeling they offer more contrast geographically than Southeast Asia. Take Peru, you can be in the Andes one day, on the Amazon the next and on Rainbow Mountain the day after.”

For working trips, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are the standout, thanks in part to their Commonwealth status, which opens doors to young travellers from the UK, according to Jenza, a travel agency specialising in working holidays.

Last year the UK signed agreements with all three countries to expand the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, increasing the age limit from 30 to 35 and the maximum length of stays from two to three years.

“Working holidays are more accessible to today’s youth, as they break down what’s undoubtedly the biggest barrier to entry: money,” says Lucy Lynch at Jenza. Options for students today are, however, more limited than they were. Villa staff, chalet boys and girls, resort reps, childminders and sailing instructors were the mainstay of British package holidays and extremely popular gap year jobs — until Brexit.

The UK’s departure from the EU cut off the ability for young people in the country to easily work overseas and reduced the number of services available to holidaymakers. A recent report by trade bodies ABTA and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) revealed the number of Britons fulfilling tourism roles overseas has fallen from 11,970 in 2017 to just 3,700 in 2023.

This, SBiT says, has a disproportionately greater effect on young people, who’ve traditionally filled such seasonal jobs — working for holiday companies in a year off, say, or during the summer break.   It’s also had a huge impact on chalet holidays, beloved of British skiers, which relied heavily on gap year staff who were happy to work for less money in return for bed, board and a lift pass for the season.

Charles Owen, managing director of SBiT, says: “It’s proving tremendously difficult to employ the UK staff we need to run our businesses in the EU. In some countries, it’s a mountain of complex paperwork, delays and extra costs that need to be overcome; in others, there isn’t really a workable route.”

ABTA is calling for an enhanced seasonal mobility agreement between the UK and EU for tourism workers, as current arrangements apply only to certain roles and limit stays to 90 days. It’s also calling on the UK   government to work to extend the Youth Mobility Scheme to the EU.

“There’s nothing stopping us doing this,” says Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA. “It is mutually beneficial, not least for the individuals who take part   in the scheme and get to live and work overseas. Critically, it’s not part of the wider immigration regime. The mobility scheme doesn’t confer any longer-term rights to remain for those that have taken part.”

Many people in the travel sector are hoping that a change in government will pave the way for a closer relationship with the EU and forge a route for young Britons to work in the bloc without expensive, bureaucratic hurdles, which most travel companies can’t afford. SBiT estimates the cost of recruiting a young person from the UK for seasonal work in France (the most popular ski destination for the UK) has risen by £880.

One of the biggest decisions gap year students face is how to fund their overseas adventure. Research by recruitment agency Teaching Abroad found that one in five young people rely on parents to help pay for a year abroad. Others, however, are more self-reliant. Minnie Fisher, 18, is currently on a five-month trip taking in New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia. She’s paid for the trip by working from last summer until leaving in January this year.

“It was hard work but worth it,” she says from Nusa Penida, an Indonesian island near Bali. “After finishing my A-levels last year, I worked pretty much full time in a local cafe and I also did lots of babysitting, too. I saved up £11,000 in all. We used £3,000 for flights and I left with £8,000 in the bank, although I really want to end the trip with at least £2,000 left over.”

Gore-Booth is also planning another year out once she finishes her degree at Newcastle University.“No matter what, it would have to involve some element of earning money,” she says. “I’d also want it to contribute in some way to my CV and future work. I’m thinking I’ll do a TEFL [Teaching English as a Foreign Language] course and then go teach English somewhere like Vietnam. I think that would be a brilliant experience.”

Related Topics

• ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
• VOLUNTEERING
• VOLUNTOURISM

You May Also Like

Can tourism help recovery after a disaster?

Saving our shores: coastal conservation projects making positive change

Why voluntourism still matters and how you can make a difference

Stay overnight at this lighthouse—a thrilling 32 miles out to sea

Scotland could become first ‘rewilded’ nation—what does that mean?

This tiny island is the best place to dive in the Caribbean

New words are spreading faster than ever—thanks to teenage girls

• Perpetual Planet
• Environment

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Paid Content
• Adventures Everywhere
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved