Tempe, Arizona (NAPSI) - Increasingly, students and those just out of school are using international travel as a productive way to make the most of the gap of time between high school and college or between college and starting a career. That’s why this type of purposeful travel has come to be known as gap travel.
After spending 12-plus years in the classroom, a gap year spent traveling can be an excellent way for students to learn about themselves and the rest of the world. At the same time, it can also serve as a way for the student to stand out from the crowd when applying for college or a job.
A Number Of Options
Gap travel can take many forms, including work trips where participants hold full- or part-time jobs and are self-sustaining; volunteering trips; teaching programs; and strict sightseeing packages. Many gap trips, such as those at www.firstabroad.com, are structured to be extremely affordable, making them even more popular among millennials.
According to Jim Zambrano, CEO of First Abroad, a Boston-based company that coordinates gap travel, “These international programs are a great option for young adults who have yet to find a job and teens who are either facing an increasingly competitive college admissions process or just can’t afford college.”
Distinctive Benefits
Students who take gap trips often receive benefits that set them apart from the less adventurous, including:
• Interesting material for college essays or job interviews through engaging in new, unconventional experiences
• More time to discover interests that can give students greater clarity and understanding when choosing a major or a career path
• A renewed sense of purpose and excitement about moving on to the next step in life, whereas students who don’t take a break can often experience burnout
• Skills and life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom
• A global perspective on life and career.
Gap years can be a fit for those who wish to gain work experience, have a steady income, gain independence and see the world—all at the same time.
To learn more, visit the website at www.firstabroad.com.
