Gap years are becoming more popular, but many people don't know what they are or why they’d take one. A gap year is when you take a year off from school to travel or pursue other goals. When you take a year off from work it’s usually called a sabbatical.
Traditionally, a young person will take a gap year after senior year in high school and before college. But you can take a gap year any time you want, even during college or before going to graduate school. Some colleges offer gap year programs for current students or graduates, but you can also find opportunities with the government (like AmeriCorps), local organizations, or even design your year off yourself.
No matter how you plan to spend it, one of the biggest questions on your mind may be how to pay for it and if the gap year benefits outweigh the price tag.