Gap Year Articles

Another generation chooses gap years

5 Jul 2010

Whilst the children of "the generation that pioneered the backpacker trails through Europe, Asia and elsewhere in the 1960s and '70s" consider their post-school career paths, an Australian article has identified the growing popularity of the gap year concept - even to the point where a year out might be considered "a rite of passage" towards further study or full-time work.

Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, James Harpur, a school principal, has put forward the question: "is 20 years of formal study without a break healthy?". And he shows that gap years give people new perceptions of the world, stating: "Exploring the world is important for personal development". Harpur's article also investigates the various options that people have for gap year experiences - particularly highlighting the well-established links between Australia and Britain. He believes that every student should at least consider taking a gap year, and says: "Let's not discount the value of new experiences in unfamiliar places."

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