Many countries promote some version of a gap year, encouraging youth to spend a year abroad before making major life decisions. Why hasn’t this caught on as much in the United States?
I wasn't able to take a gap year, but I did finish my senior year of high school in Australia. But that experience did prompt me to immediately move overseas after getting my college degree and pursuing the life that I actually wanted.
In my opinion, the gap year is not only valid for youngsters. At any point in life, you should be able to give yourself a break before embarking on a new, perhaps "more" fulfilling cycle. It is true that here in Europe, it is normal to hear that someone is on a "sabbatical leave." Many large companies even have a policy for such a break year, which is encouraging. The USA has lots to learn from the old continent.
I do agree that some time out of school would be a good thing.
I'd say, though, that a general attitude of introducing the beneficial elements of that gap year gradually over the course of the child's entire schooling time may work better; costwise and learning wise.
Like you say, your family background and culture, like things that your grandparents did had an influence on how you saw the world and travel.
For instance, gradually giving a child longer and longer periods of holiday time that they have to fill up independent of their parents.
Or releasing them from more and more of the structured obligations that are a part of the family routine.
Growing up in Australia it was part of my friendship group that we all took off for a year or so. There was never any real discussion about it, just expected.
From my group it was mostly Britain and Europe we headed to. For many of us it was our first real experiences with the wider world, first share housing, first casual jobs, first girl or boyfriend.
There was plenty of ups and downs along the way, dodgy jobs, broken hearts, drunken nights and money hassles.
But I wouldn't have changed a thing.
For my part this formative experience was instrumental in my growing to be a mature adult, seeing different cultures, meeting people from all walks of life, tasting all the delicious cuisines, these all combine to help a person grow.
Two of my three children have done the same trip now, with my blessing, one coming back with a new partner, now his wife.
I did a gap semester and still switched my major once. I should have done it twice. I actually think that switching your major may be a good sign. Understanding your early 20s as a process of self discovery, then realizing that it continues throughout adulthood, could help alleviate anxiety. I often think about how much we learn about our needs by simply doing. I’m not sure when college should fall in that equation. I believe that everyone should work full-time a few years before considering grad school.
Unfortunately, a gap year isn't a realistic possibility for poor students. I think an overarching goal for all students is to broaden their range of experiences. The specifics can be different for each student. Possibilities include a gap year after high school, Americorps service, work supplemented with a disparate mix of community College classes, military service (maybe), specific employer programs (Disney, cruise lines), internships, study abroad programs, a gap year after college, etc. A key element is to convince these uncertain individuals to avoid being forced on to a certain path by life changing circumstances such as pregnancy. During my youth, my world was broadened by travel and a couple of summers working for Manpower in short term assignments at various employers.
I would have loved a gap year! I didn't start travelling (internationally) until I was in my 20's in the workforce (having money helped!) but my parents did start to inspire some wanderlust with two very cool trips they took me on, park city (dad) and montana (mom) in college. I love the story about the flight attendant aunt.
I wasn't able to take a gap year, but I did finish my senior year of high school in Australia. But that experience did prompt me to immediately move overseas after getting my college degree and pursuing the life that I actually wanted.
In my opinion, the gap year is not only valid for youngsters. At any point in life, you should be able to give yourself a break before embarking on a new, perhaps "more" fulfilling cycle. It is true that here in Europe, it is normal to hear that someone is on a "sabbatical leave." Many large companies even have a policy for such a break year, which is encouraging. The USA has lots to learn from the old continent.
I do agree that some time out of school would be a good thing.
I'd say, though, that a general attitude of introducing the beneficial elements of that gap year gradually over the course of the child's entire schooling time may work better; costwise and learning wise.
Like you say, your family background and culture, like things that your grandparents did had an influence on how you saw the world and travel.
For instance, gradually giving a child longer and longer periods of holiday time that they have to fill up independent of their parents.
Or releasing them from more and more of the structured obligations that are a part of the family routine.
Growing up in Australia it was part of my friendship group that we all took off for a year or so. There was never any real discussion about it, just expected.
From my group it was mostly Britain and Europe we headed to. For many of us it was our first real experiences with the wider world, first share housing, first casual jobs, first girl or boyfriend.
There was plenty of ups and downs along the way, dodgy jobs, broken hearts, drunken nights and money hassles.
But I wouldn't have changed a thing.
For my part this formative experience was instrumental in my growing to be a mature adult, seeing different cultures, meeting people from all walks of life, tasting all the delicious cuisines, these all combine to help a person grow.
Two of my three children have done the same trip now, with my blessing, one coming back with a new partner, now his wife.
I did a gap semester and still switched my major once. I should have done it twice. I actually think that switching your major may be a good sign. Understanding your early 20s as a process of self discovery, then realizing that it continues throughout adulthood, could help alleviate anxiety. I often think about how much we learn about our needs by simply doing. I’m not sure when college should fall in that equation. I believe that everyone should work full-time a few years before considering grad school.
Unfortunately, a gap year isn't a realistic possibility for poor students. I think an overarching goal for all students is to broaden their range of experiences. The specifics can be different for each student. Possibilities include a gap year after high school, Americorps service, work supplemented with a disparate mix of community College classes, military service (maybe), specific employer programs (Disney, cruise lines), internships, study abroad programs, a gap year after college, etc. A key element is to convince these uncertain individuals to avoid being forced on to a certain path by life changing circumstances such as pregnancy. During my youth, my world was broadened by travel and a couple of summers working for Manpower in short term assignments at various employers.
I would have loved a gap year! I didn't start travelling (internationally) until I was in my 20's in the workforce (having money helped!) but my parents did start to inspire some wanderlust with two very cool trips they took me on, park city (dad) and montana (mom) in college. I love the story about the flight attendant aunt.