Study Abroad

Taking a year off between higher and further education is a viable option for today's students.

The tradition is certainly a deep-seated one. Dating back to the 18th century, the concept of taking a gap year isn't a new idea, but is being pursued with renewed vigor in the modern age. Back in the days of old, young European aristocrats went off their "Grand Tour" to broaden their horizons before settling back in to further studies of a more academic type. These days, it's not just the richest tiers of society, but also students of all backgrounds and incomes who take the opportunity to take a break between high school and university.

Why? Well there is the lure of the great unknown, seeing other countries and cultures, and "coming of age" in a more worldly sense. Many students combine educational pursuits with fun times, and opt to study another language by immersing themselves in the country and culture where it's spoken as a mother tongue. Others go down the path of volunteering, which proves for many to be a sustainable way to contribute to the planet and its populations - without putting too much of a strain on the bank balance. Teaching English in Morocco, contributing to eco-projects in Mexico or providing much needed assistance to street kids through social programs in Mongolia are all valid ways to really open one's eyes to the plight of the planet.

There are also the more pragmatic reasons: the rising cost of tuition fees translates into a need to get out and work before committing to any field of study. The thought of student debts is indeed daunting, so many future students either need the cash to support their studies - or the confirmation that study is precisely what they want to do in the next few years of their lives. For international students, the gap year provides a chance to take courses at a language school London to improve their English.

Employers indicate that they are keen to take on employees who have had a gap year between their studies or before entering the work force. Many identify candidates as more "rounded" if they have opted to take a year out to devote time to a gap-year program. International companies, in particular, regard it highly if a prospective employee from a non-English-speaking background has taken an English course London or alternately if an English-speaking candidate is also proficient in one or more other leading world languages.