Gap Year (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what a gap year is, the origin of this practice and what its benefits are. In addition, we give you ideas to implement it.

A woman encounters an unknown culture during her gap year. — A gap year can help you change your perspective on your life or work.

What is a gap year?

a sabbatical year It is a period of twelve months during which a professional, usually an academic, steps away from work and is completely dedicated to your individual development and training and your particular interests. Its name comes from the Jewish word shabbatwhich refers to Saturday, the weekly day of rest in Jewish tradition.

Gap years are common in academia, as allow teachers to research, train and publish publications. These types of opportunities are offered to long-time professors, to whom the institution guarantees payment of their regular salary during their sabbatical year.

The term, however, It is also used in other professional areas, but in this case it refers to a year of self-financed rest which a worker takes to rest or dedicate themselves to other types of activities, such as volunteering and social causes. It is also common for university students to take a gap year after finishing their degree, to travel or live abroad and prepare for entering the world of work.

Origin of the gap year

The practice of the gap year It dates back to agricultural antiquity, specifically from the Hebrew tradition, in which it was common to take the seventh year of harvest as a period of rest not only to promote the health of farmers, but to allow the soil to recover after six consecutive years of harvest. This practice is traditionally known as fallow.

Ideas for a gap year

Below we explore some of the possibilities that a gap year allows:

Work or study abroad. This is what many university professors do during their sabbatical year: they apply for exchange systems or agree to work as guest professors, to continue their training and test the resources of other institutions.
Learn a new language. Many people take a gap year to dedicate themselves to acquiring a language, perhaps not at a professional level, but basic or even intermediate, depending on how intense the pace of study is.
Volunteer. The gap year can be the ideal time to commit to causes for common well-being, which not only provides new opportunities and knowledge, but also allows you to collaborate with an area or institution. Environmentalism, social work and other forms of social struggle have spaces for volunteers.
Grow a hobby. The gap year can be an ideal period to dedicate the energy necessary to learn to play an instrument, complete a collection or improve in a sport.
Undertake a postgraduate degree. During the gap year you can return to the university to take a course or postgraduate degree. For this, without a doubt, it will be essential to choose well what to study and for how long.
Take a trip Many people take a gap year to travel somewhere in the world, or have the experience of living for a certain time in another place.
Make profound life changes. Whether it is moving, renovating the house or looking for another job, the gap year can be the ideal period to undertake substantial changes in our way of living.

Benefits of a gap year

Gap years provide a free period for undertake new challenges and dedicate energy to postponed plans. This allows the individual to develop activities of different kinds, both academically, socially or at work. Whether embarking on a trip, volunteering or signing up for a course, the person can go out discover what you really like, meet new individuals and realities be self-sufficient, achieve independence or enjoy.

Plus, a gap year can help build a fresher and more energized look of life, work and relationships. By removing the individual from their work routine, they can change their perspective, and can help them see aspects of their own life that can be improved or that are not satisfactory.

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