Gap year is when high school or college students take a year off after graduating before going back to either college or work life. During this year students are encouraged to take college credit classes, do volunteer work, travel, etc. I was sure of what I wanted to study after high school so I didn’t see the need for this gap year, I actually didn’t become aware of this term after graduating from college.
Everyone says you go to school, go to college, get a job, get married, have babies. The great life plan that we are told will make us happy. But what if that’s not what we want. There has to be different lifestyles we can have that also makes us happy. After graduation, I realized that working was not something I was ready to do just yet. I decided to take a year off and move to Taiwan. The goal was to go over there teach English and learn Mandarin. After the year was over I would be ready to join the work force and live my happily ever after.
Life in Taiwan was one of the best things I have done for myself. It wasn’t always easy (missing family and friends) but the experiences, the friends I made and travel opportunities made it all worth it. This trip allowed me to learn more about myself, discover new passions, and grow as a person. If you have the opportunity to take a year off before college or before working or before starting a new job DO IT you never know where that could lead.
