Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches.

It is common for a student to take a gap

year

in a foreign country or even work for a

year

prior to

university

.Whether a student should engage in travelling or working before embarking on a formal qualification has been a topic of debate for various years.In

this

essay, the advantages of

such

activities will be discussed, followed by all the

disadvantages

. On the one hand, the benefits of resisting educational institution for a

year

to travel or job open the student's mind to new worlds,

such

as having responsibility at work or learning a new language abroad.

For example

, having spent a term in Australia prior to

university

I learnt how to look for a job, become more responsible with finance and other essential life skills

such

as cooking.Upon starting

university

various tasks

such

as money management and employment were

second

nature

thus

allowing more time for studies.Without having gone abroad

university

life would undoubtedly be more challenging.

On the other hand

, the

disadvantages

are mainly cost-related, the airfare, travel insurance, national insurance and personal living costs are large sums.

However

, finding another opportunity to go abroad is difficult once the pattern of normal life is resumed.

In addition

, it

also

an opportunity to experiment with different jobs before choosing a career at

university

.

Therefore

there is a considerable advantage of taking a gap

year

out before higher education. To conclude, the main

disadvantages

are the costs involved.

However

, the benefits dramatically outweigh the

disadvantages

.Time should be spent wisely as it can never be recuperated ,unlike money which can be spent and earned.