<p>There is no much chance for growth actually being in the same environment. This is just taking time off, since they do all kind of ECs while in college, including, various sport teams, volunteering, interning, traveling abroad, working (some at the proffessional level), making all kind of new friends among peers and faculty, building network, and learning how to be on their own, learning lots about themselves how they are different from others and how they still connect while standing on their own. Lots of personal growth that I am not sure at all availble while living at home with mommy and daddy. I look at any gap year simply as a break. There are very few opportunities that are open to them outside of their UG. It is all different story at their UG, huge number of various activities and frankly, my D. had to drop some, she simply did not have time. She also could not find anything (except for very light volunteering and shadowing MDs) during her summers, she had to take it easy, but she took advantage of it…Good luck finding anything to do, it is very challenging!</p>
<p>I agree with the international options mentioned above. She should try something that she finds interesting and go somewhere that she would be unlikely to go once she graduates college. Most kids here try to spend some time in Asia or Australia as that can be an extremely educational experience. There are plenty of programmes to ensure that she is in a safe environment. Good luck, Londondad</p>