Gap year can lead people on an unexpected journey

Enjoying a gap year adventure should not be something that is looked down on, as the unexpected journey can lead people back to their original destination, and they are often better for the detours.

Gail Shister, a television columnist for the Inquirer, told the Philly Post that was shocked when her daughter informed her that she was to take a gap year.

"Convinced she would never go to college, I tried for months to dissuade her. So she went to Costa Rica for a year. Got a job, found an apartment, learned to scuba dive, and came back with a maturity and world view that can only be lived, not learned," Ms Shister added.

However, with a diploma in hand, Ms Shister's daughter is about to start a full-time job, better for the experience of taking a gap year abroad.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of Year Out Group, said that provided a gap year is a structured year out, it can be part of the lifelong education process, making a significant contribution to a person's individual development.

Find out about gap year benefits.

( Last Updated: 2010-05-12 13:59:18)