And Why You Should Take One Too…
The idea of a gap year was never completely foreign to me, at least not in recent years. It was always something I kept at the back of my mind, this grand idea of not going immediately to college to do something exciting and different with my life. So, after I got into college, I started to seriously consider a gap year and realized that there were only benefits.
Having undergone highly stressful junior and senior years, I wanted to relieve that stress. Moreover, I had spent the last four years planning and working toward long-term goals, sometimes at the expense of happiness and short-term enjoyment. On my gap year, I could simply enjoy the moment, knowing that the part where I go to college, likely graduate school, then start working is waiting for me. While there is privilege in this certainty, no doubt, life does not have to be linear. Detours on the path of life are often life’s greatest moments, and can even help you regain focus in whatever you decide to do next.
What I Did
I planned my gap year with the help of the Center for Interim Programs. In the fall, I went to Paris, France, through Education First’s EF Gap Year. With the program group, I first travelled to London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona as a tourist (check out my post on Two Weeks of Group Travel in Europe) before returning to Paris. I spent my first month taking French classes at EF Language School while living with a host family, and my second month interning at a technology start-up and living in an apartment. The program’s week-long closing Leadership Academy took place at the beautiful Ashridge House in Hertfordshire, England.
At the end of November, I came home and spent time with my family over the holidays. In mid-January, I set out for Fiji to do a volunteer project with Think Pacific. The group had a weekend-long briefing before spending a month in Nubuyanitu village. (Here is a blog post on my experience.) Afterwards, we had a 2-night “Rest and Relaxation”, then headed our separate ways. Thanks to the International Date Line, I time travelled home and arrived at Newark Airport just a couple hours after I left Fiji.
While I had plans to go to Florence, Italy, then complete a cooking course in England, I tearfully had to cancel them due to the coronavirus, hence my ability to write this post mid-April.
My Takeaways
A Love for Traveling … All the travelling I did this year only strengthened my desire to do more. From foreign cultures to beautiful scenery, this world has so much to offer. Wherever life takes me, I want to make sure that travelling is a part of it.
Controlling Stress … One reason I took a gap year was to destress. I accomplished that in part, but also realized that stress is simply a part of life. Even without final exams or college applications, little worries will always manage to creep into our minds. What we can change, however, is how we react. Do we dwell on stress, allowing it to occupy our time and energy? Or, do we find others means of coping, something that looks different on everyone? I can accept the things I cannot control, but am still struggling to accept that even what I can change is not always worth it. Evidently, the expression “pick your battles” exists for a reason.
Self-Worth … In meeting lots of new people on my gap year, I quickly learned the harsh reality that some people simply don’t want to be my friend. But it took time for me to realize, that is okay! How others behave toward me is not a reflection on me. I began to understand my worth: I do not have to settle for people who do not appreciate me. Once I stopped pursing dead-end friendships, I found so many other friends. One of my leaders quoted, “People are in your life for a season, a reason, or a lifetime”. The people from my first encounters were there for a reason, but a very valuable one at that. Similarly, I gained a clearer understanding of my potential in a more professional and academic sense. I have the tendency to play myself down, often in fear of bragging, but I let what I said out loud to others get to my head. I realized that I actually have a lot to offer and, often, am the only person holding me back. While having humility is certainly still important, so is confidence; there is a balance.
Taking the Back Seat … Being a planner and perfectionist, I like to be in charge. Whether it was restaurant plans or a group project, I often took the lead. During my gap year, I grew more comfortable letting others take control.
Being Alone vs. Being Lonely … While I spent a lot of time alone on my gap year, from long journeys to simply exploring Paris by myself, my time spent alone had me feeling anything but lonely. Conversely, loneliness often came when I was around lots of people. The two words are not synonymous, and differentiating between the two enables you to both enjoy your own company and determine how to derive comfort from otherwise discomforting situations.
Why Everyone Should Consider a Gap Year
First off, you do not need to already have money saved up to take a gap year. Consider working during the summer and/or the fall before your gap year. It makes you even more appreciative of the wonderful experiences you’ll have. Check out volunteer projects that allow you to donate time in exchange for accommodations and food, and many websites can help you find work abroad as well.
See the World … Whether you’ve already had the opportunity to travel or not, taking a gap year shows you the world in a new light. Even if you have travelled with your family, seeing new places independently or with others your own age gives you a completely new perspective. Whether you travel across the world or within your own country, both experiences are uniquely valuable.
Explore a New Hobby ... You can pursue hobbies you would not otherwise have time for, or find new ones! From writing music to trekking to photography, the opportunities are endless.
Give Back … Upon entering adult life, understanding privilege and having perspective are important in informing your future decisions and priorities. Believe me, it is easy to unintentionally live in a bubble, but exposing yourself at a young age to other cultures holds lifelong value. Beyond that even, I became much more aware of my privilege simply from interactions with other gap year students I met.
Establish Academic Interests … While I would have been ready to go to college after senior year, many people are not. Taking a gap year can help you determine your interests and gain a new set of priorities. For many, this allows them to avoid spending money on classes that turn out to be of little interest, or simply to start college with a clearer sense of self. I would add the caveat, however, that while separating yourself from an academic setting can give you a heightened sense of priority in what you do, it takes a little more to find out who you are. I have seen many with this hope soon realize that travelling across the world always the answer. However, making a conscious effort by setting goals for your personal growth will go a long way.
Taking a gap year was an amazing decision that I would make again in a heartbeat, and I hope this post inspires you to consider one too! Even if you are not able to take a gap year, remember that there are chances to find excitement at all points in life, even if untraditional. Enjoy every moment!
Eager to get started? Reach out in the comment section below with questions, and check out Go Abroad and Go Overseas, two free websites that can help you find gap year programs.
Salut Madeleine 