Surely there are many questions that come to mind when you finish high school: What now? What do I want to study? I’m not sure, what am I going to do this year? It’s normal that you’re going through this stage of indecision, and it’s one of the most important stages of your life. But it’s not all questions, you probably also have certain statements clear: “I have to learn English right away”, “I should go study abroad“, “I’m sure that I need to get out of my comfort zone for a while”.
Because of the way our society and environment works, we feel pressure to make these decisions quickly, almost without thinking things through and without feeling a clear calling for any career. In addition, not everyone matures at the same time and does not need the same experiences.
That moment of reflection, Gap Year, has traditionally been translated in Spain as a sabbatical year abroad. And of course, because of the way we say it every time we propose this program, there are those who think: If I go on Gap Year, would it be a year doing nothing and traveling abroad? Does that mean I miss a year without going to university and falling behind my friends? Looking at it like that, it might seem like a wasted year… But nothing could be further from the truth, our experience as an international mobility agency is quite different.
What is Gap Year?
The concept of Gap Year comes from Anglo-Saxon culture and refers to a period of reflection and emotional learning that generally lasts one academic year after finishing high school and before going to university. It is a fundamental moment in which some of the most important decisions are made: what I want to study and what I want to do professionally.
The truth is that a gap year is not a sabbatical year, it is a year to gain time. Time to get to know ourselves better, to see the world and other cultures, time to mature and make a very important decision, which is becoming more and more difficult due to the social pressure of having to finish high school and immediately start a career when you are not sure about things. Without a doubt, this is an erroneous form of planning and foresight, since if it is not optimal, it can condition your future.
According to a study by the University of Valencia, 23% of Spanish students drop out or change their chosen degree in their first year (27% in public schools and 19% in private schools). If we add to this the high percentage of students who arrive without knowing what to do and without any motivation, the outlook is not very encouraging.
We don’t all have to follow the same time frames, each one has his own pace. If you can’t find your way either, you might be interested in watching this video:
Future experience
All this reflection without forgetting the importance of learning English, which is essential when it comes to finding a job, since what used to be a differentiating aspect is now a requirement. Of developing important personal skills that you will acquire while learning to cope abroad in different cultural environments. And of the opportunity to study and work to help you pay for your stay and to acquire work experience that will enrich your CV.
But there is also time to enjoy! Gap Year is a personal adventure in which you will live new experiences and make friends for life!
During this Gap Year, in addition to studying and working abroad, you will also be able to attend the Open Days organized by universities that will help you resolve doubts and make decisions regarding what to study. You will learn first-hand the reason for their prestige based on their methodology and their diversity of degrees and postgraduate courses, how to apply for a place at a British university and how to obtain funding for Europeans that will allow you to defer payment for your degree until you finish it and start working.
Volunteering abroad
But there’s more! What if you also volunteer for a local charity? These are second-hand shops run by NGOs such as Save the Children, Oxfam or Cancer Research, where, in addition to collaborating in a social task, you’ll also be able to practise the language and interact with local people. Social work is very satisfying and is an asset to add to your CV.
If we combine the advantages of the educational systems in countries such as Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada with learning English, working and volunteering, we have the perfect cocktail for a unique international experience. We look forward to seeing you!
Come with us!
Still not sure? Do you have any questions? Get in touch with us.
Not only will we advise you on the best choice to meet your goals, we will also be waiting for you abroad to take your first steps “abroad” with you with our Welcome Plan. Find out more here.
