美国教育理念——Gap Year-新东方前途出国

        在中国，我们推崇的是惯性教育，非常讲究读书的延续性。我们很难想象高中毕业后，用一年的时间丰富自己的阅历，然后再去读大学这件事。即便对于比较偏向美式教育理念的出国读书的同学和家长，也很难接受。

今天介绍一篇文章，关于Gap Year在学生成长中的真正意义，以及美国教育专家对它的思考。

以下是部分核心内容的摘译。

1. Gap Year在美国已经越来越流行。学生用高中毕业后的这一年时间旅游、做义工、学习一种新的语言、或者体验任何对个人成长有意义的活动。通常学生在高中毕业后、开始大学学习之前度过自己的Gap Year.

2.为什么要读过一个Gap Year？原因可能有很多，但更多的学生认为这是一个发现个人兴趣的机会，是一个寻找人生方向和目标的机会。学生们用这一年的时间丰富自己的人生阅历。据美国大学升学委员会公共政策和研究中心主任大卫霍金斯说，不论同学们在这一年中做什么，当他们一年之后重返大学校园时，这段经历会告诉学生他们究竟想要什么，从而帮助学生更从容的取得大学学习的成功。

详情请阅读以下原文：

Excited about college but not quite ready to start? Each year, students across America are choosing to postpone their traditional academic plans and participate in a gap year experience.

What is a Gap Year? 

A gap year is a year spent taking time off between life stages. An increasingly popular option, it provides time for traveling, volunteering, learning a new language, or experiencing any number of other activities for personal growth. Typically, students take a gap year after graduating from high school and before attending college.

Why Take a Gap Year?

While there are many compelling reasons to take a gap year, one of the most common is the opportunity for students to explore their interests and develop a purpose for their future. Students can take a break from intense coursework and focus on enriching life experiences.

Whether they spend the year traveling, volunteering, working, or all three, students who have completed a gap year are often revitalized for their return to the academic world the following year. According to David Hawkins, director of public policy and research at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, taking a gap year "could actually help students succeed in college," since participants may be more focused, mature, and motivated for their undergraduate experience.

Many students also find that their gap year allows them to help others. For students choosing to spend the year volunteering abroad, some of the benefits include: 

• Enlightening cultural exchange between the student and inhabitants of the host country
• Making a real difference in the lives of the people of developing countries
• The chance to make a positive impact on the environment.

Gap Year Options

There are no rules when it comes to taking a gap year, so the possibilities are truly endless. Luckily, there are organizations that specialize in helping students organize their adventures. For example, some companies assist with everything from finding a host family, to setting up the volunteer project, to taking care of meals and travel insurance.

Areas of focus students may choose from for their gap year activities include:

• Animals
• Archaeology
• Business
• Conservation
• Education
• Healthcare
• Human Rights
• Journalism
• Sports

Things to Consider

As exciting as a year off before college may sound, there are several important issues to consider before embarking on a gap year. 

• Whether to individually design a program or use the resources of an established organization—The freedom and independence of a self-designed program may appeal to some, but turning to one of the experienced providers can help alleviate logistical and safety concerns.
• Planning for college—Students who apply for college during their senior year of high school can defer enrollment for a year, so they'll already have their place secured and can easily start classes upon completing the gap year.
• Students who weren't happy with the results of their college applications might choose to take a gap year to improve their test scores, develop a skill or reassess their list of target schools
• Participating in a college bridge year program—While the gap year concept has only recently gained momentum in the United States, some colleges, including Princeton University and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, offer fellowship programs for incoming students to defer their start date and experience new opportunities abroad.
• Thinking about goals—When planning your gap year, consider how taking this time to learn more about yourself and the world can help you grow as a person and prepare to take on further challenges. Going into the year with personal goals will help you stay focused and work toward success, both during your gap year and when you return.

Featured Program: Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad is one of the largest volunteer abroad organizations in the world. Founded in 1992, Projects Abroad sends over 10,000 people abroad each year on a variety of service projects and internships overseas. All participants receive unparalleled in-country support from their full-time, professional staff to ensure that the experience is safe, worthwhile and fun. Destinations are available in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the South Pacific. Their Global Gap program takes gap year students to 5 countries around the world over the course of an academic year. Learn Moreor request a brochure online.

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