Gap Year - What?

A gap year is a period of time when students take a break from formal education to travel, volunteer, study, intern, or work. A gap year is also referred to as a deferred year, year out, year off, time out, time off. A gap year experience can last for several weeks, a semester, or up to a year or more. Typically a gap year is taken between high school graduation and starting college, during college, or between college and starting graduate school or a career.

The gap year concept has its origins in the UK, and since the 1990's taking time out has become a right of passage for tens of thousands of UK students. The gap year is becoming increasingly popular with US students. One reason is that parents are more open to the idea today than in the past. Studies have been conducted by leading universities like Harvard that conclusively show that students who take a year out before college are more focused and motivated when they arrive on campus than those who don't take this detour. Harvard's admissions department is so convinced of the benefits of a gap year that they offer the option to every admitted freshman in their acceptance letter.

Taking time out between high school and college used to evoke fear that the student would not follow through with college. Today, the college admissions offices at both private and state run colleges and universities are getting more requests from students to defer enrollment, and are freely granting these requests provided the student can demonstrate they have specific goals and will better prepare them to succeed in college. This trend is great news for both colleges,students and parents. Given the fact that the dropout rate amongst US college freshman is nearly 30 percent (according to the National Center for Education Statistics), the gap year option is fast becoming a viable alternative for many students.  Source: planetgapyear.com (watch video)

There are numerous reasons gap year travelers should include expatriate coverage in their travel insurance policy.  For example, many gap-year travelers invest their time in a third-world volunteer capacity.  In addition to volatile social climates found in some of the third world countries, exposure to disease is greater. Rare diseases, viruses, and bacteria often thrive in the waters of underdeveloped communities simply because the sanitary conditions are often minimal.    A quick scan of travel-related disease reveals the vastness of disease related to travel.  Should a sojourner be stricken with one of these infections or sicknesses, local medical facilities rarely offer adequate help, and a return trip to one’s home country is in order.  Cost for such a trip can be in the tens of thousands, which is a good reason for gap year travelers to secure a solid expat policy when choosing travel insurance options. 

Related articles:
Top Five Reasons for Adults to Take a Gap Year (retirement option is only one!)
USA article
Taking A Child on Gap Year