Gap year - ingles 11

Gap year --- a period of in which students take time off and do something other than schooling, such as travel or work or volunteering --- adding value to your CV --- some universities ask for it.

This is most commonly taken after high school. However, over recent years there has been an increase on students taking time out after completing their degree.

* In countries such as Portugal this is not very common. * In some countries there’s a limit in the number of students who take a year out, penalizing students who delay their education to travel abroad or work full time. * In other countries like the USA the practice tends used to only prevail for students with some level of personal or family means. * There are also countries such as Yemen and Israel where this is compulsory in order to start college.

Advantages:
- Gap years cover a wide range of activities --- developing participants personal and communication skills --- you become more responsible, determined, mature, self-confident and independent

- It is a chance for a break and to do something different after education has been essentially all that you've known all your life --- releases the pressure of doing all your studies straight away --- once you enter the world of work and responsibility it can be hard to have the chance to take time out of your career again until retirement

- It can help you focus and work out just what you want to do at university if you apply during the gap year

- Some employers find it attractive when a person takes a gap year and does something productive with their time during that period --- gain practical work experience in a variety of areas --- provide new skills on your CV

- Experiencing the satisfaction of making a difference while gaining a more realistic understanding of a country and culture --- volunteering and environmental projects

* unique experiences not otherwise open to you, experience different types of workplaces