Gap year with purpose does have merit
While many matrics will make their way to tertiary institutions this month to pursue their studies, a significant number will opt for a gap year writes SHEPHERD MASONDO.
TAKING a gap year is a growing trend.
But many parents and teachers have misgivings about the concept, fearing the young people will lose focus and even interest in studying following a carefree lifestyle for such a long period of time.
Taking a gap year is increasingly becoming the norm. In the USA, for example, there are even organisations such as the American Gap Association and USA Gap Fairs that actively promote it.
Parents who have formulated a life-after-matric plan for their children, which inevitably involves immediate further study or entering the job market as soon as possible in a competitive world to gain experience, are especially frustrated when they are confronted with a gap year request.
Previous generations are unfamiliar with this ‘luxury’ and most parents will view this as an expensive waste of time.
Yet, a gap year can hold merit if it has purpose and parents and their children discuss the issue in a mature way.
One must distinguish between a meaningless jolly year’s holiday (which only affluent parents can afford to fund anyway), versus young people who would like to take time out working in foreign locations, gaining life experience among other cultures.
The latter at least serves some purpose – the child develops maturity and responsibility having to fend for themselves far removed from the comfortable safety net of home.
Individuals taking a gap year should therefore focus on activities that can educate them or enhance their skills (personal or academic), be it through finding part-time employment or doing volunteer work.
Harvard University research does show that students who enroll after taking a gap year display more maturity and are more engaged in their studies.
• Masondo is involved with Ondosam Solutions – an emerging tutoring unit
