From the age of 5 to the age of 22, most of us will be going through life on an imaginary conveyor belt. Until we graduate from college or university, we are expected to turn up for class at the beginning of every semester. Have you ever sat back and wondered why life must be such a routine? Why should the process of learning be a non-stop affair in the classroom?

It is perhaps partly for this reason that around 10% of students in Australia and the UK take a gap year from their studies. The purpose of this is to go and explore the world and learn what real life is like, without the pressures of study hanging over their heads.

What the Gap Year is all about

The gap year is a stretch of time that one takes off in between studies. There is no fixed term for one. It can be just a semester or even as long as a few years. Most students tend to take them after graduating from high school and before they proceeded to college. They used to be the preserve of the upper class who could afford travel and holiday expenses, but nowadays, this is no longer the case as all that one really needs is the airfare. Most year out programs allow you to work to pay your own way.

The Objective of taking a Gap Year

Some people take a gap year in order to gain clarity in their life. In a confined environment like the formal educational system, it is sometimes hard to know what to do in life. A year out will allow you to have the experience to discover who you really are. It also allows you to toughen up as a person. Instead of living a sheltered life under your parents' wings, going away on a program in places like South Africa will really teach you how to make your own decisions in life.

On of the great benefits of taking a gap year is the fact that you can update your resume with the work that you do while on a wildlife conservation programs (for example) in exotic places like Africa. Your resume will definitely stand out from those whose only working experience was in McDonalds. The unique working experience of being a volunteer is truly enriching and character building.