Are Gap Years Really All That Good for Students? Yes

Are Gap Years Really All That Good for Students

? Yes

Some are looking for placements and work experience whilst others are taking the opportunity to travel and get involved with volunteering projects.

As more students embark on travel overseas, some critics have called into question the usefulness of a gap year. Boris Johnson is the latest figure to poke fun at the gap year phenomena, but many other commentators are quick to leap to their defence, pointing to the extensive benefits that gap year travel can provide.

Gap year writer Sun Meilan says "Taking a gap year is seen as a waste of time by some. However, provided that the time is used constructively, it can be a very positive move to make."

Many schools teach that a rapid progression through college to university is the most beneficial way to secure a rewarding career. It is because of this that many students and parents have come to believe the same. During this rapid progression, however, these students have been given little space to understand what is truly important to them. Being trapped in the academic system until the age of 21 or 22 without any or little worldly experience can make it difficult for students to set out their goals and priorities.

A year volunteering abroad can help broaden a student's horizons, giving them experience of other aspects of life. This life experience allows them to make more of their university experience. Gap year travellers learn to become independent and well balanced. Other students who have never had to live away from home for an extended period may find it difficult to cope with the pressures of university as well as adapting to living alone.

Gap year travel can also help students to gain perspective and develop their interests, helping them to decide what course they want to study, or even if university is right for them at all. Pressure from parents can often lead students to believe that university is the only means to secure a job after education, but it is not always the best choice.

Students who have travelled abroad and met people from different cultures and backgrounds are often more open-minded. They develop more advanced communication skills which allows them to mix with a wider range of people; in a university environment where everyone is new to one-another, this is important as this enriches their university experience.

Those who volunteer abroad can also gain work experience during their year out. There is much more to getting a job than having a degree and employers place great value on students who have experience beyond the classroom. This is particularly true in today's competitive job market and a gap year can help you stand out from the crowd.

At Inspire, we match volunteers with worthy causes and projects across the globe. Our industry experience and contacts allow us to provide aid and support in developing countries whilst broadening the horizons of our volunteers. A gap year can prepare you for a successful and exciting future, if you would like more information on volunteering abroad or taking a gap year, speak to us at: http://www.inspirevolunteer.co.uk

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