Posts published on February 22, 2019

Rediscover Yourself Through a Gap Year :After High School Or During College

 BY MIKKIE MILLS

Have you just been accepted to college, or you’re still considering whether to apply to perhaps take a different route, such as entering the workforce right out of high school? There are many options open to you right now. Maybe you need time to discover your interests, and figure things out. Maybe adventure appeals to you.

After twelve years of schooling, you might just need a break- some time to yourself, to consider what you really want out of life, and what direction you want to go in. Now’s the time to “find yourself”, as they say. Consider your options. I recommend a gap year travel program. It can be a very formative, inspiring, and instructive experience for young people.

Study Abroad

Do you want more work experience? Do you want to spend time abroad, discovering the world? A gap year program lets you go abroad, where you can live in a different culture, live and work among locals, socialize, eat the food, learn the language, and see the sights. Going abroad is a process, it requires applying and planning out which program you would like to participate in. It also means finding funding, sometimes getting a visa, and buying plane tickets. Then pack your bags and consider yourself a global citizen. Sometimes being abroad is a hard adjustment, especially if you do not speak the language or know the people. Stay open-minded and make sure that you stay engaged. By meeting new people and taking language courses, you’ll soon adapt. And afterwards, you’ll have a stronger sense of yourself and your abilities, which is invaluable at school, work, and in life in general. You’ll find that it is a very marketable trait, and potential employers or college admissions officers will notice that you had the initiative and wherewithal to go out into the world and explore for yourself. There are all sorts of programs to study abroad, and they range in length from a few weeks to even a year or two. Most people go for a couple months, however.

Gap Years While in College

If you have already started college, you can still consider a gap year program. Many schools offer programs or partner with other programs and offer credit to students who complete them. Many schools also allow for leaves of absence for these sorts of programs. Or you can always go abroad during summer or winter break, depending on your semester schedule.

Work Experience

Are you looking for something more than just time away? You might enjoy not only studying in a foreign country, but also gaining valuable work experience. Consider getting a volunteer position or internship abroad. This is excellent resume material, and great experience. When you intern abroad, take initiative and explore your career interests. Propose new ideas and get involved with your own research as well. Make yourself useful to the organization, and always be polite and inquisitive. Try to establish relationships with your supervisor. Think of them as your mentor. In the future, they may furnish recommendations for college, or for other programs and jobs.

Don’t forget to also explore the area, and spend time with new people. Don’t spend the whole time working! You’ll learn perhaps just as much by exploring the new country as through your work experience.

Future Confidence

It also gives you the confidence in future to travel and to consider future moves. It gives you the sort of daring to overcome future obstacles and take on future opportunities. You will also develop greater sensitivity towards different people, including people of different cultures. Your communication skills will be improved. You will be better also at living in different environments, and you will understand the effect of globalization. You also will have a lot of opportunities to expand your network and make connections in your future field. Even if you aren’t sure what that is yet, spending time abroad will help you develop perspective.

Mikkie is a freelance writer from Chicago. She has a passion for advanced learning, reading, and health and fitness. She is also a mother of two who loves sharing her ideas on education, learning, health, fitness and yoga. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing the little ones around or can be found at the local climbing gym or doing yoga.