Written by: Cam
It wasn’t too long ago that the idea of taking a year off before college or university studies was seen as the first stop towards a career at the local gas station.
We know now that it’s the perfect time to take a deep breath and consider your next steps. A gap year, used wisely, will help you gain new perspectives and acquire useful skills that will make a big difference in your university and college studies. During my gap year (many years ago before it was known as a gap year!) I lived in Germany for 3 months which, in hindsight, would have been very difficult for me to do at any other time in my life. It gave me an opportunity to grow as a young adult, learn about a new culture, and helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses better.
Travel should definitely be part of your plans. This is the chance to see the world possibly on your own for the first time! It’s also the perfect opportunity to become fluent in a second or third language. Here are just 3 benefits:
- Daily immersion: After 3 or 4 hours of studying in class, you can head out into the community and APPLY what you’ve learned on a daily basis.
- International academic experience: One of the side benefits is discovering how students from other parts of the world study.
- Personal growth: Learning how to take care of yourself in a completely different culture in a completely different language has an enormously positive impact on confidence and self-esteem.
Whether it’s 3 weeks or 3 months, a gap year language program should be a key part of your gap year experience.