Gap year gives students a reason to get away

College applications too much? Tough job market got you down? A gap year might be just what you need to rejuvenate yourself. A gap year is when a student takes time off after high school and before finishing college to explore the world, a hobby, or themselves.

Traditional gap year travel programs like Ciee.org provide high school-aged students with the opportunity to live and travel abroad for three, six or 12 months. The fees for a full year abroad average at about $19,000 and students can choose to live in many locations around the world including the Dominican Republic and Japan. Students can certainly travel on their own more cheaply, but would have to research their own travel, insurance, and boarding options.