Gap years

The idea of spending a year away from home is something that appeals to nearly everyone. So why is taking a gap year still considered the wildcard?

For a teenage student, the prospect of providing for yourself, miles away from home, can be daunting. But with an increasing number of gap year companies providing travel and trips abroad to suit any need, it is becoming easier to tailor a dream trip.

You can also find gap year companies that cover everything frominternships abroad to paid work and volunteering. Such companies offer ideas and inspiration to kickstart your travelling dream.

But gap years don't have to be all about travel. You can have a beneficial year out of education and stay right where you are. Stephanie Wood wants to be a mental health nurse, but with allied health courses being some of the most exclusive and competitive around, she is taking a year off from education in order to gain an edge through work experience: "My plan is to get a job that directly relates to my course for the next few months, so I can really gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare system. Working there over a stretch of time will both give me an impression and insight into the working world of nursing - knowledge to help me through university when I choose to go."

Choosing to take a year out can help you gain valuable experience as well as give you the opportunity to save up some funds to help you with accommodation when you get to university, living costs, food - or even just extra cash for freshers week.

Gap years aren't for everyone. Readjusting to an academic timetable after spending time abroad can be a shock. You also need to consider the practicalities, from financing your gap year to surviving without home comforts.

If you do discover that you want to see the world but still go back into education or work in September, you're in luck - this summer holiday is an extra long one for school leavers, so there's still plenty of time to book your ticket.

相关单词：prospect

prospect解释：n.前景，前途；景色，视野

prospect例句：

This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。

The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

相关单词：daunting

daunting解释：adj.使人畏缩的

daunting例句：

They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。

Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。

相关单词：inspiration

inspiration解释：n.灵感，鼓励者，吸气

inspiration例句：

These events provided the inspiration for his first novel.这些事件给了他创作第一部小说的灵感。

What an inspiration she was to all around her!她对于她周围所有的人是一种多么大的鼓舞！

相关单词：allied

allied解释：adj.协约国的；同盟国的

allied例句：

Britain was allied with the United States many times in history.历史上英国曾多次与美国结盟。

Allied forces sustained heavy losses in the first few weeks of the campaign.同盟国在最初几周内遭受了巨大的损失。

相关单词：exclusive

exclusive解释：adj.不包括的，不算在内的，独有的，独享的

exclusive例句：

The hotel charges 6 pounds a day,exclusive of meals.这家旅馆一天收六英镑，不包括饭钱。

This bathroom is for the President's exclusive use.这间浴室是总统专用的。

相关单词：competitive

competitive解释：adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

competitive例句：

Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。

These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

相关单词：insight

insight解释：n.洞察力，洞悉，深刻的见解

insight例句：

Good teachers have insight into the problems of students.好的教师能洞察学生的问题。

The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。

相关单词：financing

financing解释：n.筹措资金

financing例句：

The main source of our outside financing is bank loan. 我们向外筹措资金的主要渠道是银行贷款。

They live in a symbiosis with governments that they are financing. 他们与他们服务的政府互利共存。