Mind the Gap
Gap years were more popular a decade ago, when those who did go to university had the financial means to take a year out from school to university, and travel the world. Then at the turn of the century, this changed, as students from far greater demographics and varied background also had the chance to go to university. Their preference was usually to carry straight on, get the degree done and then move on into work as soon as possible, to pay back the university fees. With jobs now being much less numerous and opportunities being much more limited, taking a gap year is seen as a good choice to make, to do something unique. Although they're generally referred to as gap-years, it may be this is a habit, based on the history of travel throughout the centuries. Nowadays people travel to volunteer, work, study, see something new and it doesn't have to be for a year. The one thing all such trips have in common is the fact that they're all about taking time out of the normal routine to do something different, challenging, fulfilling, and memorable. A structured, properly organised gap-year can mean students arriving at university refreshed and focused, and research shows they are much more likely to complete their chosen course than drop-out half-way through. Some may take time to readjust to academic life but former "gappers" are generally more responsible and socially conscious, which allows them to take a mature outlook on their studies and make a greater contribution to their course. Once the decision is made to go for it, then it will feel more meaningful to show off what you are doing around the world, allow family and friends to keep in touch, and store a memento of the year on a free website. With a free website builder, it won't be difficult to keep it updated with your travels - so going on to create a free website, is a good idea. Once their studies are completed they will also find their CVs more appealing to graduate employers, who appreciate that those with a gap-year experience are more likely to adjust quickly to the working environment and deliver results. Employers admit that they actively seek to recruit those who have taken a structured gap-year because they are more likely to have developed key skills such as teamwork, project management, risk assessment, languages and communication skills. Meanwhile, taking a career break for three months to a year is the fastest-growing sector of gap-year activity and there's some evidence that the global recession is increasing the numbers. So, if you're 50-plus it may be worthwhile considering something like this, if you've been made redundant or taken early retirement. Several organisations that arrange places for people on overseas projects, have told us that more than half of their activity is now focused on helping place mature travellers and/or people who are taking a career break. People are living longer and are also a lot healthier well into old age. Many, therefore, feel they want to continue to use their skills in places where they will do some good.
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John Meadow
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Jimdo - Pages to the People.
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