Gap year
From Free net encyclopedia
The term gap year (also known as "year out", "deferring", "Overseas Experience") is given to a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between a student's completion of secondary school and matriculation in college or university, or also between college and graduate school or a profession. It is generally a practice undertaken by young people from anglophone nations with a great proportion of gap year students from one country effectively swapping with gap year students from another.
Some students spend the time travelling, others spend the time working, and many combine these into an international Working Holiday. 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, often in the hospitality industry.
Gap years, which became prevalent in the 1990s, could be considered a modern equivalent of the Grand Tour.
In America, the practice of taking a "gap year" before college has been slower to take hold, owing in no small part to the enormous capacity and marketing prowess of the higher education sector. Several organizations have offered young Americans structured gap year programs. These include Dynamy, with sites in Worcester, MA and Santa Rosa, CA. [1] The Dynamy program, called Internship Year, features mentored internships, independent apartment living, college and career advising, community service, a wilderness experience (in partnership with Outward Bound, and optional academic credit. Another popular American gap year option is City Year, with locations in urban centers around the country.
A growing trend is what is becoming known as the Career Gap for those over twenty-five. This career sabbatical is usually undertaken by those either wanting a career change, nearing retirement, or have seen the benefits gained from their children's gap year.
See also
External links
- gapadvice.org Independent advice on gap years for people of all ages.
- findaGap.com - Gap Year Directory An A-Z guide for those thinking of taking a gap year or career gap.
- find a Gap Job - Gap Year Jobs Provides a job database of gap year jobs worldwide.
- Gap Year Show UK's national Gap Year Exhibition.
- BBC News Online Article about gap years
- GAP Activity Projects A not-for-profit charity specialising in organising gap years
- Time Off Time Out Gap Years Off Years Out Sabbaticals Career Breaks
- A critical essay - Discusses Gap Years and their actual impact
- GapYearTalk Forum - Online Gap Year Discussion
