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Taking a gap yeara break from academia to pursue experiential learningcan offer more than just time off to relax. With careful planning, it can be an intentional time dedicated to self-development and self-discovery. But with so many possibilities for how to spend your gap year, how can you decide whats right for you?

If you dont know whether a gap year is right for you, or if youve decided to take the plunge but dont know what to do in a gap year, youve come to the right place. This guide can help you weigh your options.

Gap years have long been common among students in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Today, the practice is growing in North America, with even high-profile institutions like Harvard University encouraging newly admitted students to take a year off before starting classes.

A gap year may not suit everyone, though. Before giving notice at work or sending your future university a request to defer admission, take some time to consider the benefits and drawbacks so you can make the best choice for your needs and goals.

According to the Gap Year Association, about 40,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens make this leap each year. Many people take their gap years between high school and college. However, current college students, graduates and even working professionals can also benefit from some time to recharge, refocus and reinvest themselves in their passions.

Theres no wrong time to take a gap year. Older participants may have more responsibilities to considerlike dependents and mortgagesbut with determination and planning, a gap year can fit into nearly any stage of life.

Getting through high school can seem like a frantic race to the finish line, jumping through ever-higher hoops each step of the way. A gap year allows you to pause and regroup before diving into college life, all while building the self-reliance, confidence and maturity to succeed in your academic pursuits.

Many schools allow accepted students to defer admission for a year, though they may request a proposal for how you plan to spend your gap year. However, financial aid, including scholarships, may not carry over, so make sure to find out how deferring college entry might affect your funding.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, 30% of undergraduate learners change their major at least once. For students who are questioning their educational direction, a gap year can provide some time to step back and reassess. It can also offer relief from academic burnout.

If you are considering a gap year during college, bear in mind that most federal student loans allow only a six- to nine-month grace period after a person graduates, pauses their studies or drops below half-time enrollment. This means that you may need to make student loan payments during part of your gap year.

The need for reflection, growth and rest does not end after college graduation. A gap year after your undergraduate studies can help you meet these needs as you prepare for graduate study or your first post-college job. A sabbatical can also help working professionals who are feeling burned out or questioning their career choices.

A gap year can give college graduates and young professionals a much-needed break after the rigors of study or the intensity of early career development. While you may have more commitments and obligations at this stage of life, you may also have more options for financing your gap year, such as remote work.

Gap years traditionally focus on international travel, but domestic and virtual gap years can also offer valuable experiences. The most important thing is to choose a goal that means something to you.

Theres no rule that your gap year must last exactly 12 months, either. Many experiential learning programs offer single-semester or even shorter options for individuals who dont need a full year away from school or work. Of course, if youre organizing your own plans outside of a formal program, you can take as much or as little time as you wish.

Read on to learn more about popular options for what to do in a gap year.

World travel is the most common goal among gap year participants. The Gap Year Associations 2020 alumni survey found that 89% percent of respondents traveled outside of the U.S. or Canada. Traveling also goes hand in hand with another important focus for many gap year participants: language study.

There are many options for how to spend a gap year abroad. You can follow your own itinerary or go with a structured program. Gap year travel programs can cost between $5,000 and $12,000, but thrifty globe-trotters can often save money by winning scholarships, working while abroad or finding a volunteer program that covers room and board.

Volunteerism also ranked high in the Gap Year Association survey, with 79% of gap year alumni engaging in some kind of service work. Diverse volunteer opportunities abound both abroad and at home in areas like conservation, education and health.

Some organizations, like World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, provide food and lodging for volunteers. Others, like AmeriCorps, even pay a stipend. However, volunteering may work best for people with some savings to support travel and/or living expenses.

Teaching English to children or adults and working as an au paira live-in nannyare two popular ways to earn a living while traveling the world. The hospitality industry also employs many working holiday-makers.

This option may best suit slightly older participants with more job skills. Securing employment overseas typically requires a work visa. If you find your job through a placement service, they may arrange your visa for you.

Foreign language proficiency can be a big plus on your resume, and what better way to improve your skills than by practicing all day, every day with native speakers? Whether youre working, volunteering or relaxing, spending your gap year abroad can improve your fluency.

If a domestic or virtual gap year fits your budget or comfort zone better, you can still learn a new language. Try talking with an online language tutor through services like italki. You can also combine language study with civic engagement by volunteering with local communities that speak your target language.

A gap year can be a great time to combine a passion for athletics with opportunities for travel and personal growth. Consider building your leadership skills while making a difference in young peoples lives by volunteering to coach a sports team abroad. Many coaching programs include living with a host family for full immersion in the local culture and language.

Pursuing certification as a ski or scuba instructor can lead to paid work, but training can cost from about $1,500 to over $12,000. Depending on the program, participants may need to be over 18, but some sports coaching programs accept younger teens.

If you are between high school and college, you may want to gain experience in your chosen field before committing to years of expensive classes. Or maybe youve already started on your educational path, and youre wondering whether you made the right choice. A gap year can help you discover what its really like to work in your target industry.

Internships, either at home or abroad, can offer a taste of professional life, but remember that many internships are unpaid. In fact, placement programsespecially for overseas internshipscan be costly, so make sure to prioritize paid opportunities if you dont have substantial savings to invest.

Thirty-five percent of respondents to the Gap Year Association survey cited burnout as a prime motivator in choosing to take a year off. These students are not alone83% of the nearly 33,000 students who took part in a 2021 Boston University study reported that mental health had negatively affected their academic performance.

No matter how you spend your gap yearwhether you focus on world travel, career exploration, community service or a combination of goalsmake sure to fit in some time for self-care. Focusing on your mental and physical well-being can support your readiness to return to school or work with renewed energy and inspiration.

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