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.
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.
