Gap year abroad 'ideal for answering life questions'

Taking a gap year abroad to experience new cultures and gaining new skills can help young people answer questions about what they want to do in the future.

Tina Case, writing for the Silicon Valley Moms Blog, said that a gap year abroad has proved beneficial for her daughter who was not quite ready to go straight to college after school.

"From some angles, life seems short and you have to take advantage of every minute. But that does not mean your child has to jump from the high school scene to the college scene right away," she said.

Ms Case added that, if a person is unsure of their next step, then a gap year abroad, taking time out to volunteer, can help them answer any questions about their future, while also allowing them to discover new skills and interests.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of Year Out Group, said that a productive gap year can help people make the best life choices when they return.

Find out about gap year benefits.

( Last Updated: 2010-01-18 18:43:46)