Essay 1

1. In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Education _____ university study _______ gap year
Advantages: more experience; relax; earn some money
Disadvantages: reluctant to go back to school; forget the knowledge

In Vietnam, “gap year” phrase just appear recent several years.
In recent years, “gap year” phrase appear on some Vietnamese newspapers and websites. Some students have told their experiences about the gap year. Currently, the pros and cons of gap year still is a hot topic in many forums of young Vietnamese people.

Gap year is not new in developed countries. But in Vietnam, most of high school students study continuously from primary school to university, and some of them continue to complete graduated programs before apply for job. However, nearly years, some Vietnamese students have experienced a year or several months after high school to travel around Vietnam country or abroad. And these students have written books to tell about their experiences during that time to encourage the others to follow. I think students should understand clear about advantages and disadvantages to face before a gap year.
Many people think that a gap year can help a young person to gain some life and work experience prior to starting university, as well as develop as a person. For a young person, traveling provides an opportunity to broaden their horizons and learn about different cultures, livings of provinces or countries. A lot of skills a student can gain from temporary works during a gap year, such as: organization skills, ability to manage the finances and improving foreign language skills if travel abroad. Additionally, a gap year can aid a person in becoming more independent and grown up. These experiences are also a valuable advantage for student to apply into a university or for a future job.
However, a gap year also has some disadvantages that students should concern and think carefully. There are valid concerns whether the time and money for a gap year are well spent. Probably the most serious problem about a gap year is its impact on future academic performance; young people taking a gap year may fall behind their peers or lose the motivation to study altogether. Moreover, school leavers are generally likely to end up with unskilled jobs abroad that barely cover their expenses, especially if they do not have advanced knowledge of the foreign language used in a country. Therefore, the work experience gained may not be very relevant to a person's career later and the work might not offer a lot of opportunity to practice a foreign language. Moreover, most of current students are living in full facilities house; they do not feel comfortable living in a tent or hostel for months.
In conclusion, taking a gap year is not for everyone. And going directly into university following secondary school also is not the best choice. High school leavers should think long and hard about how to going to spend their future time. Plan well and, above all, make sure that whatever you do, you spend your time productively.

Taking a gap year is not for everyone, but neither is going directly into university following secondary school. The bottom line is that the decision is ultimately up to you. If you decide to go ahead with it, think long and hard about how you are going to spend your time. Plan well and, above all, make sure that whatever you do, you spend your time productively, thereby helping to ensure a unique contribution to your resume and any future university application.

Topic: In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Some people recommend students to travel the world for a year before starting university. Others argue a “gap year” is a waste of time and money. I will look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of spending a gap year traveling after school.

Many people think that a gap year can help a young person to gain some life and work experience prior to starting university, as well as develop as a person. For a young person, traveling provides an opportunity to broaden their horizons and learn about different countries and cultures. Spending some time in a country while working also makes for a less superficial encounter than only being there as a tourist. Besides, travelers can gain work experience and potentially improve their foreign language skills. This experience can be an important advantage in a more international oriented economy. Additionally, a “gap year” can aid a person in becoming more independent and grown up, as it will require some organization skills and the ability to manage their finances. It can also be argued that right after school is a good time in life to see the world as most young people do not have any family and professional obligations yet.

However, there are valid concerns whether the time and money for a gap year are well spent . Probably the most serious problem about a gap year is its impact on future academic performance; young people taking a gap year may fall behind their peers or lose the motivation to study altogether. Moreover, school leavers are generally likely to end up with unskilled jobs abroad that barely cover their expenses, especially if they do not have advanced knowledge of the foreign language used in a country. Therefore, the work experience gained may not be very relevant to a person's career later and the work might not offer a lot of opportunity to practice a foreign language. From a more practical point of view it is also worth considering that not everyone feels comfortable living in a camper van, tent or hostel for months.

In conclusion, I think time is a valuable resource at any age. There are a number of good alternatives to taking a gap year immediately after school: studying abroad, interning or working in a foreign country once you have completed studying. These alternatives later in a person’s career might be a more focused approach that offers better work opportunities, and ultimately, may prove a better experience than a gap year.

The Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year
A gap year is exactly as it sounds – its postponing university or college for a year and spending that time doing something else. Some students simply live at home and work during the year, but others use the time for all kinds of adventures at home and abroad – teaching, volunteer work, outdoor adventures, ecotravel, missionary work – you name it. In fact, a whole cottage industry of organizations have sprouted up to help students plan elaborate adventures during their year off.
But, is taking a gap year the right choice for you? Here are some advantages and disadvantages to help you decide what is best for you in terms of postponing university and taking a year off. Advantages
1. A chance to mature before entering university – in secondary school, you probably leaned a fair bit about how to be a good student. On the other hand, you likely learned very little about life experience. Gap years can provide students the chance to learn responsibility on a different level. Whether you’re planning a trip around the world or working as a store manager, you’re going to be fending for yourself as an adult for the first time. When it comes time for dorm life or in your own apartment, handling the stresses of university may result in these hurdles being far less challenging to you than to others who go directly in from secondary school.
2. An opportunity to regroup – Secondary school can be a very stressful time for students. Between preparing for university academically and searching for the right post-secondary institution(s) (PSIs), many students feel pretty beatten up by the time they graduate. Changing course and doing something besides school for awhile can be a much-needed break psychologically.
3. You’ve never done anything before besides being a student – and if you go right to university, nothing will really change. Spending a year doing something else will help you gain new perspective on everything in your life, including you academics. For example, imagine how much more meaningful that European History class can be if you have actually been to Europe during your gap year. Or, picture, how different your psychology class will be if you’ve spent the year getting to know a variety of different peoples from a host of different cultural backgrounds.
4. A chance to figure out what you want - Not sure yet what university is exactly right for you at this point? Or, whether you’re intent in oing at all? A year off can help you think about and sort things out.
5. Impressive material for a resume and for university applications - Want your application to stand out? Spend a year doing something unique, and discuss in your personal essay how the experience changed you.
6. Money Issues – It’s no secret how expensive funding a university education can be. Depending on what you do during your year off, you might be able to save money. Disadvantages
1. Losing momentum - For some students, a year off can be a refreshing break that helps you get into the swing of things in university. However, it also takes you away from the classroom experience, so you might be a bit rusty when you return.
2. Being a year behind - A year off will put you a year behind your friends. A gap year will put you further back on what can be, a long educational process.
3. Money issues - Some gap year experiences don’t require money (like working for a year) or are inexpensive (like teaching abroad for a year). But, others can be quite pricey and can be an added expense to an already costly university education.
4. Problems with organized trips - There are companies available to help students plan their gap year experience. Some of them have been criticized for doing too much to help students organize their gap year adventure. After all, if someone does all the work for you, how does that help you learn responsibility? Weighing Your Options:
Taking a gap year is not for everyone, but neither is going directly into university following secondary school. The bottom line is that the decision is ultimately up to you. If you decide to go ahead with it, think long and hard about how you are going to spend your time. Plan well and, above all, make sure that whatever you do, you spend your time productively, thereby helping to ensure a unique contribution to your resume and any future university application.