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

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Identifier

honors_theses/86