A gap year is when individuals take a break in between high school and college to travel, work or volunteer in an area of interest. You may even choose to make a big life change before going off to college. Whatever you decide, there are tons of benefits you will experience from taking a gap year. In this article, we will go through some facts to help you discover this concept and the benefits it offers.

There Are Different Gap Year Programs Around The World

There are many gap year opportunities in different countries. Whether you’re looking to volunteer or work in Israel or just head out for the adventure of a lifetime by teaching abroad, there is an option for you. You can travel around the world, work in different countries, or even attend your online studies from anywhere you want while gaining experience at the same time.

Taking a gap year in Israel may just be the ideal opportunity when it comes to immersing yourself in a new culture, learning a valuable language, and connecting with the people. Regardless of the type of program you choose,  you will be able to gain a set of new skills and experiences that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.

It Lets You Discover What Career Paths Interest You Most

While taking a gap year, you are free to explore the career paths that interest you most. This is because, during your gap year, you can choose what kind of work or volunteer activities interest you most while giving you some exposure to different fields for you to discover which one suits your personality best.

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If you’re someone who loves working with children, then maybe teaching children English in Thailand or helping out at a local hospital in India, you will have the chance to help others while also gaining perspective on your life path. This type of experience can also help you make big decisions when it comes to college. It will allow you to learn more about yourself and how you want your life to unfold. You’ll come back from this time with a lot of self-knowledge that may otherwise have taken years to figure out.

You’ll Develop Sense of Independence and Responsibility

When you’re in college, there are many adults around to help guide, support, and give advice. However, when you’re on your own for the first time, whether that is through taking a gap year or living in an apartment with roommates in college, it will allow you to realize how much you’ve grown up over the years. You’ll begin to figure out what kind of impact you can make in this world when you put your mind to it.

This will also teach you how to be more independent and learn how to take care of yourself when no one else is looking out for you. Besides independence, you will also begin to develop a sense of responsibility and maturity when you’re on your own for the first time. Whether it’s working in a new country or simply managing your finances, taking a gap year can be extremely rewarding and teach you many important skills that you need to know when it comes to living in the real world.

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You Might Have More Opportunities at College After Taking a Gap Year

A gap year has many benefits and will teach you a lot, but it can also lead to better college prospects. You may be able to get into more competitive schools if you took the time out of your life to truly network and grow as an individual instead of just doing more homework. It’s not very common for students who took a gap year before attending college, but it’s possible.

If you decide that going to your school is still your top choice, then take advantage of any networking opportunities that arise from having taken a break in between high school and college to help you snag that scholarship or acceptance letter.

There Are No Rules About What You Can Do While Taking a Gap Year

If you want to go work overseas and teach English, then go for it! If you want to take time off from your studies and travel around the world without any purpose, then go for it! It’s all up to what you feel is best. Many people think that if they don’t know their intended major or career path yet that taking a gap year is just a waste of time. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Your gap year will give you plenty of time to figure out exactly what kind of profession interests you most. On top of that, taking a gap year could also help jumpstart your college application by helping you develop as an individual and allowing you to gain some work experience.

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As you can see, there are many benefits to taking a gap year, but it’s also important to remember that everyone is different. Luckily there are more than enough options to choose from so you can figure out what type of program will suit your personality and education best. Just make sure to do some research before making any decisions so you know exactly what to expect.