A gap year is a transformative 12 months dedicated to cultivating personal and professional growth. Often, a gap year is taken after high school or prior to beginning a career or post-secondary education. Many students fill this year with traveling, volunteering, working abroad, learning a new language, or a mash-up of a few of these options!

The increased popularity of the gap year can be attributed to many things! Lots of research credit gap years to tangible work and academic growth such as learning a new language or international work experience, but there is also much to be said about the personal benefits that a gap year program can supply. Gap years allow for students to re-evaluate their goals, obtain a new perspective of the world, learn about new cultures, make friends from diverse backgrounds, and learn more about themselves.

A list of gap year benefits is listed below—though it isn’t exhaustive!

Academic & Work Benefits

• Learn additional languages
• Gain international work experience
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Identify interests to better select university studies/career industries
• Increase employability
• Inspire insightful topics for college admissions essays
• Establish cross-cultural communication skills
• Decrease chances for academic burnout

Personal Benefits

• Boost self-confidence
• Gain life experience
• Evaluate personal values
• Explore comfort zones and challenges
• Make new friends
• Develop a sense of independence and self-reliance
• Increase flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity
• Gain a new perspective on world cultures

The beauty of a gap year is that it is highly customizable and personal; the possibilities are endless! Many gap year programs don’t span a full year abroad, so this leaves you with extra time to fill with meaningful personal projects. When thinking about taking a gap year, consider what you are looking to accomplish and then start crafting your year abroad!

Here are some examples of just a few of the programs you can pair together to create your ideal gap year!

Get the Full Spanish-Language Immersion Experience!

Work in Argentina *** Teach in a Homestay Chile *** Study in Argentina

See What Europe Has to Offer!

Study in France*** Teach in a Homestay Spain *** Teach in a Homestay in Italy

Work and Study in the Land Down Under!

Study in New Zealand *** Work & Travel in Australia

Expand Your Horizons!

Attend a Language Camp in Japan *** Study in the Netherlands *** Teach in a Homestay Thailand

Have questions or need help planning your gap year? We can help! Schedule a phone call to go over our programs.