In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

In certain countries, it is preferred that students should take a year off from studies after completing high school, prior to joining universities and during
this
period they are encouraged to work or to travel. Even though
this
seems to be a noble concept, it has its own merits and demerits and some of these will be illustrated in
this
essay.
Firstly
, a year off, after completing years of continuous school education is a welcome break for students and is well deserved too.
This
period
also
serves as well earned family time for those pupils who grew up within the closed boundaries of boarding schools.
Secondly
,
this
period provides ample opportunities to young people, to experience the realities of the modern world. Those students who prefer a break, can experiment with various forms of employment and thereby decide their career goals and directions depending upon their experiences. The holidaymakers,
on the other hand
can familiarise with the customs and cultures of various countries, which in turn will widen their outlook and will
also
promote cultural tolerance.
Thus
, in a wider perspective,
such
breaks help the young minds in preparing for the much demanding university life.
In contrast
, certain disadvantages are definitely associated with
this
concept and are worth mentioning.
Firstly
, scholars are of the opinion that,
such
breaks from studies, during the learning phase of life, affects
further
education. According to them,
such
activities should not be encouraged as there are higher chances that the young minds might
loose
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
lose
interest in learning or may get
demotivated
due to various reasons and might ultimately refrain from pursuing university education.
Secondly
, the employed youth, due to a sudden increase in their purchasing power, might
also
get attracted to various social evils like drugs, gambling and alcoholism.
Thus
to sum up, it will be wise to comment that
such
policies even though are noble practices, should not be made mandatory in a national scale, as these activities are
also
associated with considerable negative outcome.
Submitted by Sal on

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • Cultural immersion
  • Life experience
  • Work ethic
  • Career readiness
  • Self-discovery
  • Delayed gratification
  • Intellectual stagnation
  • Financial implications
  • Social dynamics
  • Academic trajectory
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