<p>I was wondering what the general take here on gap years is?</p>
<p>I was considering taking a gap year to volunteer in another country to teach English or just generally in a orphanage. I've always wanted the opportunity to do this, but my parents don't see it the same way. When I say gap year it automatically gets translated in their head of the practice where, if you aren't accepted into your first choice college, you defer admission for a year to study and apply again next year. [My parents both grew up in Korea where this was definitely more common than it is here.]</p>
<p>I know gap years are becoming more popular now, I've read several articles here and there about them. My journalism teacher even told us that some people not accepted to a college they want to go to do something "amazing" for a year and apply again for a second chance. I know there are other reasons too, financially and otherwise. </p>
<p>I know college is supposed to be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. I have no doubts about that. The thing is, I'm planning on going straight to graduate school from ungraduate school. My parents are afraid if I take a gap year that I'll never go to college. They're wrong. I would never give up the opportunity to further my education. However, I doubt I would continue again if I took a year off after finishing my undergraduate studies. I also doubt that I'll be able to take a year off after graduating graduate school because that's when the job search really starts.</p>
<p>I know some of you will ask why I can't take a summer to volunteer. One of my ambitions in college as an ungraduate is to study at least one semester abroad. I would also like to take summer classes, see my family, hang out with friends, and I don't think you can truly make the same connection with a whole new place, a new country, its people, its customs, just everything about it in less than a lifetime, let alone a year. </p>
<p>The real reason for this post is that I've pretty much given up on convincing my parents of letting me do this. I believe more than anything that if I took this year off I would grow so much more and be able to decide with resolve what I want to do with my life. I wouldn't shrivel up and die if I had to go to college right away, but you only live once right? I guess I'd like other outside opinions and alternatives, if anyone has any ideas.</p>
<p>Thank you in advance!</p>