Gap year

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The term gap year (also known as "year out", "deferring", "Overseas Experience") refers to a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between a student's completion of secondary school and matriculation in a university or college 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.

1 History
2 Activities
3 Gap year in America
4 Gap year in Australia
5 Gap year in the United Kingdom
6 See also
7 External links

History

Gap years, which became prevalent in the 1990s, could be considered a modern equivalent of the Grand Tour. At least in the UK, part of the impetus came from the fact that until recently Oxford and Cambridge required candidates to take their own entrance exams in the Autumn, after "A" levels. When the exams were over, the student had about nine months before starting University, and it was encouraged to take the time to explore the world or volunteer before doing so.

A recent trend is the career gap for those over twenty-five. This career sabbatical is usually undertaken by those who want a career change, nearing retirement, or have seen the benefits gained from their children's gap year.

Activities

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. Another growing trend for gappers is to enroll in global education programs that combine language study, home stays, cultural immersion, community service, and independent study. Such experiential opportunities exist in countries ranging from India to China and Morocco to Brazil. These programs are structured alternatives to the more traditional independent traveler who has chosen more popular and familiar regions like Europe.

Gap year in America

In America, the practice of taking a "gap year" before college has been slower to take hold. 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.

Gap year in Australia

Australia currently has 19 reciprocal working holiday programs with countries which include: Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK, Belgium, Estonia and Taiwan

Typically restrictions for the working holiday visas include being 18-30 yrs, can prove access to funds and hold a valid passport. Work restrictions also apply to ensure that the purpose of the holiday is not to further an individual's career.

The UK and Canada remain two of the most popular destinations for Australians to visit every year, with 35,061 UK and 6,517 Canadian working holiday visas issued in 2003/4.

Gap year in the United Kingdom

British citizens are able to take advantage of the EU as well as the reciprocal arrangements that exist and live and work in an overseas country for an extended period of time. Australia, New Zealand and Canada remain popular destinations due to the cultural similarities and Commonwealth ties.

Prince Harry popularised Africa as a Gap Year destination when he volunteered in South Africa in 2004. Other opportunities available include working in skis resorts in Canada, Camp roles in America and working in the Outback in Australia.

There are many gap year providers in the UK that provide opportunities for young and old alike. A good place to start looking for these providers is at The Year Out Group [2]. This site has links to many reputable providers such as GAP Activity Projects [3]which is one of the founding members of the group.