Earlier this year, our Founder, Katherine Stievater visited several Gap Year programs in Europe. While with one of these programs, she spent time with a group of Gap Year students in Italy, and had the chance to speak with them over the course of several days about “Why” – why did they choose to take a step off the traditional path, and defer college for a year? This is not an easy choice for some students — as earlier posts have noted, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out!) is a concern, as well as simply the willingness to be viewed as “different”. The students Katherine spoke with each had their own reasons, and stories.
- “I didn’t feel like living in the world that I was told to live in – I wanted independence, and to take a break from things.”
- “I wanted to grow up a bit before college.”
- “My degree is only 3 years but would have done a gap year anyway!”
- “I wasn’t ready for college – I have lived in a bubble, and now am understanding different cultures.”
- “I just didn’t want to go to college right away. I wanted to spend some time doing other things.”
- “I needed more time to make my college decision – I was sick so didn’t graduate until after everyone else anyway.”
- “I was completely burned out. I just felt like I couldn’t study anymore and needed a break.”
- “I have never been apart from my parents. I am a bit of a homebody, and wanted to make sure I was comfortable living apart from my parents.”
- “I didn’t feel the need to go right to college. I wanted to get some space and experience before university. Where I’m from taking this time is pretty normal.”
- “Both my parents and my sister took a gap year, so I always knew I wanted to do this – and I love to travel.”
So, what’s your story??