Some people believe that students should acquire working experience during their gap year instead of traveling. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Some feel that if a student decides to take a gap year it is better to

work

than to

travel

. I am generally in agreement with

this

proposition as it will better prepare individuals to choose a university major. Those who argue in favour of

travel

contend that after school, individuals may be too busy to

travel

for an extended period. Graduates must typically either begin applying for graduate school or for positions in the workforce. Once a person has a job, they will

then

only have limited time for holidays, most of which they are likely to spend with family.

This

is why many high school graduates take advantage of the freedom before university to explore exotic destinations that require long flights like countries in Southeast Asia and South America.

However

, there is immense value in

work

experience that can inform one’s future

career

choices. Most students are ill-equipped to make a

career

choice at the age of 18 and

this

is reflected in the number of graduates who switch jobs and never establish a

career

in their field of study. By working for a year, not only will students have a firmer understanding of the challenges of the typical workweek, but they might

also

gain perspective as to what kind of

work

they enjoy.

For instance

, a prospective film student who interns at a film studio may decide that they would prefer to

work

in a less stressful environment and

subsequently

change majors. In conclusion, despite the singular opportunity to

travel

that a gap year provides, it is more important to

work

and learn one’s

career

inclinations. There could naturally

also

be some balance between

work

and

travel

.