Pros & cons of gap year
by anna_ielts_club on March 15, 2007
in students
Nowadays more and more people decide to take a gap year ? break from learning between high school and university. This situation has both advantages and disadvantages.
Firstly, the gap year may be a good chance to rest before such a demanding and challenging activity as studies. What is more, we can spend the time travelling to exotic places. Therefore we may experience different cultures and get to know how the locals live. While alone in an unknown country, we gain independence and learn to deal with everyday problems.
Secondly, the gap year is an excellent possibility to work. Not only does one earn money, but also gets valuable experience and references which are extremely important for post-studies life. We may also work as volunteers in charity trusts. Consequently, we can revise our plans and find a job we would like to do in future.
On the other hand, taking the gap year has also some disadvantages. It may be difficult to get accustomed to learning and ordinary daily routine after coming back to school. Moreover, moving to an unknown country is rather dangerous. We do not know regional customs and it can be hard to communicate with the locals. Another problem is homesickness suffered by majority of people.
To sum up, by taking the gap year not only can we gain experience and independence, but also broaden our horizons. However, in another country we may not be able to communicate with others and after returning home it is difficult to get used to ordinary life. (255 words)
Go global, or some background information
The term gap year (also known as “year out”, “Overseas Experience”) refers to a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between a student’s completion of secondary school and matriculation in a university or college or also between college and graduate school or a profession.
Some students spend the time travelling, others spend the time working. A popular option for gap year students, also known as “gappers”, is international volunteering. In the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, a great deal of volunteers who helped in Asia were on a gap year. Also, many gap year students earn money while overseas by working cash in hand.
Another growing trend for gappers is to enroll in global education programs that combine language study, home stays, cultural immersion, community service, and independent study. Such experiential opportunities exist in countries ranging from India to China and Morocco to Brazil. These programs are alternatives to the more traditional independent traveler who has chosen more popular and familiar regions like Europe.