It seems that this idea has been very common in Europe, and recently become more popular in the U.S. The article mentions a few universities and colleges that offer the opportunity to take a "gap year" off during college to diversify their experiences. Some of these programs sound similar to the study abroad programs offered at K, but are tuition-free or supported financially.
"Princeton's Bridge Year Program offers a few newly admitted undergraduates a nine-month, tuition-free opportunity to defer their enrollment for a year. While engaging in community service in another country, students gain an international perspective and intercultural skills.
The Global Gap Year Fellowship at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill was funded by an anonymous donation of $1.5 million to support gap years for students who could not afford the expense. Now, qualified students can receive $7,500 toward a service-oriented gap year abroad."
It also seems that these colleges really support the idea of taking a gap year, for reasons such as:
"Self-awareness and academic burnout are the two common reasons students desire a gap year. Students are yearning for experiential learning that gives them a chance to actually practice multiple crafts. With the pressure of choosing the "right" major, students want to explore the real-life work before committing to a four-year journey."
But also advises students to consider carefully:
"Students must know why they want to pursue a gap year. What do they want out of the entire experience? The mere idea of just traveling around the world may wear off after the first month. So, students should focus on a career goal or life direction."
What do you guys think? Do you think the study abroad programs offered at K are similar to taking a gap "year", or at least a period of time, off? Do you think they are worth the money and time?
Personally, study abroad allowed me to get rid of burnout that I had for my first two years at K. It was absolutely worth it and I would do it again in a second. I think it is important to have a break, at some point through 16 years you should give yourself time to relax for an extended period.
ReplyDeleteI think that like Nolan mentioned, study abroad is a breath of fresh air in a repetitive quarter system. However I think that this is different than the "deferment" the article mentions. I think that a person should take a gap year after they have started college and gotten their feet wet so they know what to expect before taking a break. While study abroad is a type of "gap" in the educational system it is still a structured learning environment where a deferment is not. Overall I think gap years are a good investment both educationally and personally speaking.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the study abroad experience here at K is akin to taking a gap year, although it's not quite as long. Taking time off from school to recharge from educational burnout is a great idea, especially at rigorous universities. It's also important for them to be structured, like the article says, the student needs to be doing something useful and gaining experience. It's especially a good idea now that us seniors are looking for jobs and we're being told that they want candidates with experience.
ReplyDeleteI did a gap year and gained a lot in terms of professional experiences and maturity. I do not think gap year can equate to study abroad experiences since study abroad is a structured program while gap year programs can vary and typically ask one to develop professional skills to survive. It did give me a different perspective by being with people outside of my age group.
ReplyDeleteI think a gap year right after high school is a great opportunity that I'm happy to hear more American students are participating in. I feel like too many high school grads go into college with no clue what they want to do or study or even what interests them and if they had a year to really explore and do some research and volunteer work they may be able to come up with a more clear track they could focus in on. Also a year away from school would allow students to start college with a fresh mind and help with getting burned out too soon.
ReplyDeleteI think that K's study abroad programs are akin gap years, and are perhaps some of the best kind due to their structure (minimal classwork, structured group activities, and plenty of free time to engage in the local environment). Not only do gap years (and study abroad) facilitate a nice break from a rigorous education, however, living in a unique cultural setting helps people develop a better understanding of the world in which they live. I'm a big advocate for the gap year, and as long as it has some semblance of structure I think it should be a seriously considered option for high school and college graduates.
ReplyDeleteI think that going abroad is a great opportunity whether it's through a gap year program or study abroad. Going abroad is good for professional development as well as personal development. I've found that my experiences abroad have always sparked up conversations in job interviews. I think that everyone can benefit from a bit of travel and these programs are a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tyler that I think a gap year right after high school before entering college is a great idea and its nice to see more people are taking advantage of it. Going straight from high school to college can be stressful and as Tyler mentioned for some students who go straight to college they do not know exactly what they want to study or do with their life. He also makes a great point about the burnout point because without taking time to yourself and exploring the real world most students feel burned out by the time they are partially through college. A gap year is a great idea for the recent high school graduate.
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