A Gap Year

A ‘gap year’ is when a student takes a break from education. People often spend it travelling or working. Each year, thousands of students take a ‘gap year’ before starting university or after they have finished university.

WHY? - In the past, people took a gap year to prepare for important exams. Today, people take gap years to experience new things, to pick up new skills, and to learn to be more independent.

WHEN? - People usually take a gap year when they are about eighteen years old, before going to university.

WHERE AND WHAT? - Many gap year students choose to do voluntary work. For example, they go teaching in the mountains in Nepal, they go to Madagascar for an environmental experience; they go on an expedition in Costa Rica or an internship in Japan. Popular gap year activities for adventurous young people are; surfing in Hawaii, wakeboarding in Italy, kite surfing in Egypt or bungee jumping in New Zealand. Lots of gap year students just want to see more of the world.

WHAT ABOUT MONEY? - Most students take a part-time job to save up for the trip before going. Some people look for work when on their gap year if they need to earn money to pay for accommodation, food, etc. Popular jobs include fruit picking, cafe work, and being a tour guide.