Give Me a Break: A Study of the Gap Year

Title: Give Me a Break: A Study of the Gap Year
Author: Sophia Wellons
Faculty Sponsor: Sriram Khe; Gavin Keulks
Date: 6/2/2013
Abstract: The Gap Year is a period of time taken away from formal education to pursue experiential learning and self discovery. The present study sought to investigate and understand how the Gap Year fits in to the American high school and university contexts. High school counselors and university students were interviewed and surveyed in order to understand if the Gap Year is part of the post high school plan discourse. Results indicated that counselors and students had a positive attitude towards the Gap Year; however, academic discussions of it remained limited. Implications of this study suggest that a Gap year may be a worthy post -high school option to discuss, and it is perhaps an indication of a new life stage, Emerging Adulthood. Further research including longitudinal and case study data was proposed.
Type: Text; Honors Thesis
Department: Honors Program
Language: eng
Rights: Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Identifier: honors_theses/86