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Advantages Of Gap Year

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“I am convinced that one’s college education is greatly enhanced by the maturity, experience, and perspective a student can bring post gap year.” (Fred A. Hardon). A gap year is a period, usually, one academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education. The gap year as we know it started gaining attraction in the US in the 1960s. During their gap year, students usually travel and experience other cultures, gain work experience, learn other languages, and volunteer. Initially, taking a gap year has not always been socially acceptable in the US, however, it was much more acceptable in many European countries as well as Australia. In more recent years, however, the percentage of students putting their higher education on hold to pursue learning outside of the academic field has been increasing steadily. Although the percentage of students who are taking a gap year is steadily increasing, in comparison to other countries we are very much behind. According to the Gap Year Association, many students in other countries wait a year or more after high school before attending college. For instance, more than 50 percent of students In Norway, Denmark and Turkey take a gap year before going to college, and that is according to the Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research, and Education in Oslo, Norway. Gap year better prepares students for college and adulthood in general. Because the majority of students spend their gap year by

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