Why Every Student Should Consider A Gap Year Abroad

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Gap years have been around for decades and have grown exponentially more popular in the United States and Europe over the past 20 years. Top schools including Harvard encourage students to consider a gap year before enrolling because students who take gap years enter college more prepared.

During a gap year or semester, students can travel the world, gain professional experience, save for college, or volunteer. This time is for students to grow, explore, and gain real life skills before taking on their future.

More families than ever now see the value in a gap year due to wide-ranging benefits and positive academic and professional outcomes for gap year students.

There are two major ways in which taking a gap makes a difference.

A gap year can have a profound impact on a child’s trajectory in life, from where they get into college to the type of career they pursue. A gap year gives them time to improve their skills and experience the world before whatever comes next.

Taking a gap year helps students maximize the college experience.

Making the most of the college investment requires that students enter with confidence, maturity, and a sense of who they are and what they care about.

Gap year students gain confidence and learn how to interact with different types of people. They discover how to succeed on their own: how to manage their time, take care of themselves, and navigate the world independently.

With a break from traditional academics, students can tap into their interests and passions, which can reignite their love of learning and make them more motivated in school. They might even figure out their desired area of study, lowering the chance they’ll need to change their major (and take additional classes) later on.

Unsurprisingly, all of this translates to a more successful college experience. A recent study conducted by Middlebury and UNC Chapel Hill found that students who took a gap year earned GPAs that were .1-.4 points higher than their peers.

Gap year alumni are also more likely to graduate within 4 years (compared to the national average of 6 years), and they tend to take on more leadership roles on campus. These gap year benefits are college benefits too.

A gap year prepares students for the real world.

A gap year not only fosters independence and confidence, but it also cultivates the skills that will make them successful adults: growth mindset, adaptability, and soft skills.

Navigating the uncharted waters of a gap year allows students to see every challenge as a growth opportunity—that their talents are not fixed, but constantly growing.

Adaptability is one of the traits most valued by employers. Taking a gap takes students far outside their comfort zones and teaches them how to evolve in the face of uncertainty, setbacks, and new environments.

The most in-demand skills in the workforce today are soft skills like clear communication, getting along with others, and critical thinking. Taking a gap can give students the opportunity to develop these skills and gain the experience that will set them up for later success in the professional world.

How to plan a gap year

Planning a gap year from scratch can feel daunting and overwhelming, with so many options to choose from and details to consider. Fortunately, programs like EF Gap Year provide the foundational structure and robust educational philosophy that most families are seeking, along with many options for customization that allow students to create their ideal gap experience.

EF Gap Year offers immersive, international gap year programs for ages 18-22 in a variety of lengths and locations, where students can learn a language, participate in service learning, and intern abroad—all with the support of a global educational organization that includes nearly 50,000 staff around the world.

Gap years are becoming a more popular option every year for students who want to make the most of college and gain a greater sense of self before entering adulthood. If your family is interested in exploring gap year options, EF Gap Year’s consultants are available to talk you through your options.

For more information about EF Gap Year programs, visit efgapyear.com.

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