07 Sep 10 good reasons to take a gap year abroad before college

There are many reasons to take a gap year before college, and there are even more reasons to take it abroad!

Discover 10 reasons why a gap year abroad before college is a good idea!

#1 – Learn more about yourself

What do you want to study after high school? Do you have a clear answer to this question? Or does this question make you feel a bit overwhelmed?  

Actually, it is not easy to find out what you want to do with your life. Every single year, many students are not sure at all about what to study after high school, and many of them just end up enrolling in the wrong college major.

However, with college tuition fees at their highest level, students cannot afford to make a mistake!

Taking a gap year abroad will allow you to know you better and make a good decision.

During your time abroad, you will have plenty of time to learn more about yourself, explore new hobbies, passions, and dormant interests, and discover what you want / you don’t want to study in college.  

A gap year abroad will never be a wasted year, if it allows you to find your ideal path!

#2 – Travel without obligation

The transition between high school and college is probably one of the best moment to take a break and do a gap year abroad!  

On the one hand, you have finished all of you exams and you have your high school diploma in your pocket. On the other hand, you still don’t have a lot of financial and personal responsibilities, such as tuition fees, mortgages, and kids.

 Once you have more commitments, taking a gap year abroad won’t be so easy!

#3 – Gain essential life-skills to get ready for university

During your gap year abroad, you will learn and improve many essential life skills.

There are thousands and thousands of studies about the benefits of studying abroad: it helps you become more independent, mature, flexible, adaptable, and autonomous. It is also a great way to boost your confidence, because you will learn how to manage on your own, in a country where everything is different: the culture, the food, the customs, the traditions, and even the language!

One thing is sure. After a gap year abroad, your transition into university will be much easier!

#4 – Enjoy an academic break before college

You have been sitting in classrooms for years. A gap year abroad is your dream opportunity to disconnect from academia, let go of the stress and pressure of exams, and reconnect with yourself. You can travel the world, make a positive impact on the local community, learn a new language, immerse yourself in a new culture… Your possibilities are endless!

#5 – Learn a new language

Want to speak a new language like a true native? A gap year abroad will allow you to do so!

By immersing yourself in the language and culture of a country for a long-period of time, your language learning experience couldn’t be more efficient!

Mastering a new language will be a true asset for your college app and for your résumé, as well as at a personal level, e.g. for traveling the world!

#6 – Live a full cultural immersion

During a gap year abroad, you will live a new culture, as you will spend many months fully immersed in a new reality.

This experience will raise your cultural awareness, broaden your mind, and give you a new perspective of the world: you will learn how to appreciate other cultures. It is an essential skill in today’s globalized world.

#7 – Make a positive impact!

Do you dream of changing the world? A gap year abroad may be the occasion to do something worthwhile, from teaching English to disadvantaged children, to helping immigrants, to working with animals, to keeping elderly people company. There are thousands and thousands of community projects available!

One thing is sure: you will make a true difference. It will also look great on your résumé, too. It shows that you are a committed and motivated person.

#8 – Make new friends and build your network!

During your gap year abroad, you will meet so many people from your host country and from all over the world, with similar aspirations and goals. You will forge many life-long friendships with whom you will share many unforgettable memories.

If you are a shy person, this will imply that you have to come out of your shell. This is an excellent thing! A gap year abroad will allow you to gain a lot of interpersonal skills.

#9 – Travel the world

If you dream of traveling the world, take a gap year abroad before college! During your studies, it may be complicated, and afterwards, you may run out of money and need to work.

At Centro MundoLengua, the gap year students have the chance to travel in Spain and beyond, such as in Morocco and Portugal. They also enjoy their weekend to travel all over Europe on their own!

#10 – Have a blast !

Adventure awaits you! During your gap year abroad, you will live life to the fullest. You will discover new cultures, people, foods, monuments, traditions and landscapes for a whole year. You will build thousands of lifetime memories and stories to share with your loved ones when you return!

Are you convinced about our list of top 10 reasons to take a gap year abroad before college?

Centro MundoLengua is specialized in organizing gap year programs in Spain.

Our gap year programs include Spanish classes, Spanish family homestays, outdoor history lessons, visit to the most famous landmarks in Spain, activities to dive into Spanish culture, excursions in Spain and beyond, and volunteer opportunities.  If you would like to learn more about our gap year program, visit the following link: