I heard a piece on NPR yesterday about the number of students taking a year off between high school and college. Students are using this “gap year” to explore the world around them. You can read the story for yourself, but what piqued my interest were the possible implications for student ministry. Should we be encouraging students to take a year off following high school graduation? What kind of opportunities can we provide to those that decide to take a year off? How can we best prepare them to use this opporutnity to explore their gifts and calling? Please feel free to throw in your two cents.
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The gap year has been popular with students in the UK for many years. There are now numerous organizations that between them provide a range of activities throughout the world. In 2000 the leading UK based companies came together to form Year Out Group that aims to promote the concept and benefits of the well-structured gap year, to promote good practice amongst the gap year providing organizations and to provide impartial advice on how to select suitable and worthwhile projects.
In 2007 these 35 organizations arranged placements for 47,000 participants in over 90 countries. While most of the participants came from the UK, there has been a steady increase in interest and take up from students in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Placements include a variety of courses where you can improve on an existing skill or learn a new one; join an expedition or do voluntary work.
The key to a successful gap year programme is to research carefully and plan in detail. The Year Out Group website is an excellent place to start.
That’s amazing. I think we’re beginning to see more and more interest in the gap year here in the US. While some might take the opportunity to explore a vocational field, I think opportunities to serve and volunteer could provide long-term character development that will enable students think more wholistically about the world around them. Thanks for sharing, Richard.