In some countries, students who graduate from high school choose to serve as workers or travel for one year before getting a third-level degree. This essay considers that work experience and exploration of the world are the main advantages, while wasted time and the risk of losing the interest are the main disadvantages.
To begin with, students who are taking a gap year are more professionally prepared and have more experience in interacting with foreign cultures. Getting a job will help pupils develop their soft skills through interaction with strangers. Additionally, those who travel during this period gain intercultural experience by exploring new places, new people, and new environments in general. For example, a student who travels to different countries might learn new languages and traditions, helping them become more open-minded and adaptable.
In contrast, taking a gap year can lead to time spent in vain and a possibility of losing interest in further studying. Those who are choosing a year-long break could have started their college life earlier and already started their career path. Furthermore, students who start earning money will lose interest of continuing education process. For instance, many students feel less motivated and no longer want to study in the university, feeling comfortable in their current situation.
In conclusion, the main benefits of taking a break year are that students are more comprehensively developed with crucial professional skills, and the main drawbacks are that they become too involved in money making, lose their academic potential, and waste valuable time.