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.

Some people recommend students to travel the world for a
year
before starting university. Others argue a “
gap
year
” is a waste of
time
and money. I will look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of spending a
gap
year
traveling
the act of going from one place to another
travelling
after
school
. Many people think that a
gap
year
can help a young
person
to gain some life and
work
experience
prior to starting university, as well as develop as a
person
. For a young
person
,
traveling
the act of going from one place to another
travelling
provides an opportunity to broaden their horizons and learn about different countries and cultures. Spending some
time
in a country while working
also
makes for a less superficial encounter than only being there as a tourist.
Besides
,
travelers
a person who changes location
travellers
can gain
work
experience
and potentially improve their foreign language skills.
This
experience
can be an important advantage in a more
international
throughout the world
internationally
oriented economy.
Additionally
, a “
gap
year
” can aid a
person
in becoming more independent and grown up, as it will require some organization skills and the ability to manage their finances. It can
also
be argued that right after
school
is a good
time
in life to see the world as most young people do not have any family and professional obligations yet.
However
, there are valid concerns whether the
time
and money for a
gap
year
are well spent
.
Accept space
.
Probably the most serious problem about a
gap
year
is its impact on future academic performance; young people taking a
gap
year
may fall behind their peers or lose the motivation to study altogether.
Moreover
,
school
leavers are generally likely to end up with unskilled jobs abroad that barely cover their expenses, especially if they do not have advanced knowledge of the foreign language used in a country.
Therefore
, the
work
experience
gained may not be very relevant to a
person
's career later and the
work
might not offer a lot of opportunity to practice a foreign language. From a more practical point of
view it
Accept comma addition
view, it
is
also
worth considering that not everyone feels comfortable living in a camper van, tent or hostel for months. In conclusion, I think
time
is a valuable resource at any age. There are a number of good alternatives to taking a
gap
year
immediately after
school
: studying abroad, interning or working in a foreign country once you have completed studying. These alternatives later in a
person
’s career might be a more focused approach that offers better
work
opportunities, and ultimately, may prove a better
experience
than a
gap
year
.

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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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