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I took a gap year because I wanted to see the world. Being an exchange student, to learn another language and another culture, these were things I wanted for myself. I wanted to find out that there is so much more than the small high-school bubble I had been living in for the past four years. After I looked at many programs, most of which were way too expensive, I applied to a few scholarships, not really picky about where I was heading. I heard back from the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, and the next thing I knew I was heading to Germany for a year!

There was one problem: I did not know any German. But I didn’t care. Either way, my gap year was going to be a grand adventure and a learning experience.

Throughout the year I had a lot of time to think about everything. About my life, about my future, about my relationships, about who I was … literally, about everything. There were many times when I was bored or lonely, and I would just think. I kept a journal throughout the year, which helped me organize my thoughts a little better.

This whole gap year affected me in more ways than I can even describe. It helped me figure out my identity and what I wanted from life. I found a path to follow, and learned that I need to take action to make my life what I want it to be. You never know, perhaps if I had gone straight to college; I might still be unsure of myself. All of my experiences changed me.

I know that any type of gap year can be life-changing. It doesn’t have to be a year abroad; it could be a year of volunteering, or simply a year of doing something important to you. For me, I believe that my phases of loneliness throughout the year contributed most to my revelations. It was really hard at the time having to deal with the loneliness, but it was very beneficial in the long run.

Take a gap year. Question your life. Learn something about yourself. These are things a formal education may not be able to do for you. I am not saying forget about college all together, but you need to find and reinvent yourself so you can make the most of your college years and life thereafter.