Gap years are always appreciated by students who need to take stock or enrich their education by having educational experiences that can even be included on a CV. With the development of services and the growing number of resources that make access to other countries increasingly easier, it is worthwhile to spend this gap year abroad. There are many good reasons to take a gap year abroad and more and more resources are being made available to students.
Take time for yourself
Caught up in the whirlwind of studying combined with a part-time job, students often lack time for themselves. However, studying and this period of life represent a key moment to define oneself and establish one's priorities, whether professionally or emotionally. It's also a good opportunity to discover one's aptitudes and choose a program of study.
Choosing the right time
The best time to take a gap year abroad is when you're young. You haven't started a family yet, and your obligations are generally fewer. Therefore, there are fewer arrangements to make, and planning doesn't have to be as rigid. Many students decide to go on a trip after finishing high school. They will have accumulated small contracts that will have allowed them to have the means to travel. It is sometimes easier to take a gap year abroad after completing your studies. This is indeed the ideal time: before entering the job market and tying yourself to an organization or company, you are still free as a bird and able to discover the world in all the time you need. When you become an employee, it is always possible to ask your management for a gap year, but there is no guarantee that the economic situation will allow it. Many resources exist to help you go abroad without needing huge financial resources. Whether it's Erasmus, EVS, community service, or WWOOFing in other countries, there's always a way to accommodate. In the latter case, it's about working abroad instead of working in your own community first to fund your trip later.
A recognized gap year
It is now possible to begin higher education with a "gap year," the official term for a sabbatical year in academic institutions. This involves registering while notifying your university of your departure for a year. Parcoursup, the post-baccalaureate admissions platform, now provides a space for this type of request. However, this type of request is intended for students whose orientation is established. The planned stay abroad must promote the acquisition of an experience that will enrich the training they have chosen. For this gap year, you are considered a student and are therefore entitled to benefits relating to transportation, catering, and access to cultural activities.
