Mennonite Mission Network staff

​Why you should consider taking a gap year for service 

gap•year /'gap:year/ n  A structured period of time when students take a break from formal education to increase self-awareness, learn from different cultures, volunteer and experiment with possible careers. A gap-year experience can last from two months to two years and is taken any time between high school graduation and the junior year of the next degree. 


Students who take a structured gap year have opportunities to develop non-cognitive skills that lead to success. Some of these skills include motivation, optimism, grit and conscientiousness.

Students report that a gap year has given them a better sense of who they are and what is important to them. Others have said that they began to have a clearer understanding of other countries, people and cultures. Additionally, students report that they have received additional skills and knowledge that contributed to their career or academic major.



83% of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year!




In today's work environment, people who work best with others — denoted oftentimes as those with "emotional intelligence" — tend to be more successful. In all regards, a gap year will challenge students to work better with a more diverse array of people. 

For most students, gap-year experiences have an impact on their choice of academic majors and careers — either setting them on a different path than they had planned on before their gap year or confirming their direction.


82% of students who took a gap year said the gap-year experience gave them a competitive advantage when applying to college and/or jobs.



95% of students said their gap year prepared them well for their transition to education and/or the workforce. 



Gap Year Association, Gap Year Association Alumni Survey, a study of 1,190 gap year alumni in 2019-2020.

 

 

 Related articles

 

 

SOOP VolunteersThank youhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3377/SOOP VolunteersSOOP VolunteersGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Balancing student loan debt and serviceInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3151/Balancing student loan debt and serviceBalancing student loan debt and serviceGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
MVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarships Financial faithhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3433/MVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarshipsMVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarships GP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
A taste from inside the SOOP bowlInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3145/A taste from inside the SOOP bowlA taste from inside the SOOP bowlGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Elkhart, Indiana
Learning to followInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3277/Learning to followLearning to followGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
The power of communityInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3399/The power of communityThe power of communityGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
SOOP Fun FactsInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3375/SOOP Fun FactsSOOP Fun FactsGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Elkhart, Indiana
It's not too late! Apply for MVS today!Infohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3267/It's not too late! Apply for MVS todayIt's not too late! Apply for MVS today!GP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Elkhart, Indiana
Apply by April 1 for Youth Venture international tripsInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3139/Apply by April 1 for Youth Venture international tripsApply by April 1 for Youth Venture international tripsGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476India, Congo, Lithuania and Indonesia
Spring and Summer SOOPLet's go campinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3385/Spring and Summer SOOPSpring and Summer SOOPGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Lincoln City, Oregon
Can you say 'SOOP' in Spanish?Infohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3173/Can you say SOOP in SpanishCan you say 'SOOP' in Spanish?GP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Latin America
Apply now before the MVS early bird deadlineInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3141/Apply now before the MVS early bird deadlineApply now before the MVS early bird deadlineGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Newton, Kansas
Try out Service Adventure for the weekendInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3403/Try out Service Adventure for the weekendTry out Service Adventure for the weekendGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Newton, Kansas
mvs testInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3538/mvs-test10mvs testGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Frequently asked questions about Service AdventureInfohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3223/Frequently asked questions about Service AdventureFrequently asked questions about Service AdventureGP0|#0cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155;L0|#00cab7f8d-f1c4-4bb0-8086-4788fee8b155|Info;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

https://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3415/What's a gap year

 Related

 

 

SOOP Volunteershttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3377/SOOP VolunteersSOOP Volunteers
Balancing student loan debt and servicehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3151/Balancing student loan debt and serviceBalancing student loan debt and service
MVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarships https://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3433/MVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarshipsMVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarships
A taste from inside the SOOP bowlhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3145/A taste from inside the SOOP bowlA taste from inside the SOOP bowl
Learning to followhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3277/Learning to followLearning to follow
The power of communityhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/info/3399/The power of communityThe power of community



 

 

Witness to Jesus comes from position of vulnerabilityhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5152/Witness-to-Jesus-comes-from-vulnerabilityWitness to Jesus comes from position of vulnerabilityWitness
Meet Mission Network board member Kelsey Hochstetlerhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5117/Meet-board-member-Kelsey-HochstetlerMeet Mission Network board member Kelsey HochstetlerMeet the Board
Live seminar: What is your sermon doing?https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5151/Seminar-What-is-your-sermon-doingLive seminar: What is your sermon doing?In-person and online
Exploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photoshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5149/Exploring-the-history-of-colonialism-and-apartheid-in-South-Africa-Just-Peace-Pilgrimage-photosExploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photosPhoto Essay
Passion for service gave life new perspectivehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5150/Passion-for-service-gave-life-new-perspectivePassion for service gave life new perspectiveConscientious objectors
New film, ‘Unexpected Peace,’ inspired by producer’s mission experiencehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5148/Unexpected-Peace-inspired-by-producers-mission-experienceNew film, ‘Unexpected Peace,’ inspired by producer’s mission experienceNew film