At TeenLife, we’re gap year enthusiasts. With all of the benefits we’re aware of and all of the amazing programs we know about, it’s hard not to be! If your teen is considering a gap year, here are some things to know as you get started in your research.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is a yearlong break from academics typically taken between the last year of high school and the first year of college. During this time, most students work, travel, volunteer, or all three!

Benefits: 

Favorite programs:

Want to learn more? Download TeenLife’s 2012 Guide to Gap Year Programs, read this season’s newsletter (register here if you’re not already getting it!), attend a gap year fair in your area, and check out Jason Sarouhan’s blog post about his life-changing year off. If any programs interest you or your teen, be sure to ask for references from participants. I also encourage parents to speak to the parents of the participants!

The bottom line: students who do something meaningful during a gap year all say the experience was worth it!