Why Gap Years Matter More Than We Realize
Gap years are when the world finally slows down enough for young people to hear their own souls. School is every day for them until the moment they graduate, with weekends mostly spent hanging out with friends or decompressing however they can. From ages 5 to 18, adults of every kind tell them what to like, what to expect, what to aim for. So when do they ever get the chance to explore who they really are? We ask them to choose a college major before they’ve even had time to know themselves. Before they’ve had a moment to breathe. A gap year gives them that moment. It’s a year to explore what they like and don’t like. Maybe that looks like internships, shadowing opportunities, or volunteer work in industries they’re curious about. Maybe it looks like trying things they’ve never had space to try. By the end of a gap year, a young person can start to see themselves more clearly. They’ll know if they’re analytical or people-centered. If they thrive in fast-paced environments or slow, in...
