4 Reasons Every Student Should Consider Taking A Gap Year

It’s in the nature of most young people to be in a hurry.

Little kids can’t wait to be in the next grade. Middle schoolers look forward to high school. High schoolers count the days until graduation—eager to spread their wings and fly into adulthood.

After graduation, many young adults rush off to college. And before the cap and gown are even put away, they’re eager to dive into a career and launch life on their own.

This fast track into the working world is natural and understandable. After all, becoming a “real adult” is often equated with joining the workforce.

But maybe there’s wisdom in slowing down—just a bit—before the final launch. Taking a year off before, during, or after college (what’s often called a “gap year”) might actually be one of the healthiest choices a young adult can make.

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Here are four reasons why every student should consider taking a gap year:

1. Adventure
   There’s adventure out there—and if you jump straight into full-time work, you might miss it. Before long, life fills up with bills to pay, leases to sign, car expenses, insurance, and other responsibilities that chain you to a calendar of weekends and the occasional short vacation. A gap year offers the chance to explore while you still can.
2. Expanded Boundaries
   Most young adults need to stretch beyond the borders of their hometown. A gap year offers the chance to meet new people with different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. Travel to new countries. Try unfamiliar foods. Learn to live at a different pace. These experiences broaden your worldview and shape your character.
3. Regret At Moving Too Fast
   You might not feel it now, but later in life, you may regret racing into adulthood without pausing for adventure or growth. There will be mountains you’re no longer in shape to climb, places that no longer exist, and energy you no longer have. Some ministry opportunities won’t be available once you’re committed to a full-time job or raising a family.
4. A Stronger Spiritual Foundation
   Life—and college in particular—will challenge your faith. Many college-age Christians experience faith deconstruction because they weren’t equipped to navigate tough questions. A gap year can be the perfect time to solidify what you believe and why. Attending a Bible school far from home, serving on the mission field, interning with a ministry, or traveling on a budget to see how Christians in other parts of the world live out their faith—all of these can strengthen your foundation.

Bottom line: Don’t be in a rush to join the grind. It’ll still be there when you get back—and you’ll be far more ready, mature, and equipped to thrive in it.

Editor’s Note: Longtime Team interlinc writer Rick Bundschuh was deeply impacted by his time at Torchbearers and Capernwray (UK) Bible School. Today, Rick and the leadership of Kauai Christian Fellowship have launched The Anchor House, a one-year Hawaiian Bible and ministry training program for young people 18 and older. Designed to deepen faith through Christ-centered Bible teaching and hands-on ministry experience, The Anchor House equips students with a solid foundation—whether they’re heading into college, a trade, or everyday life.

In our humble interlinc opinion, it’s the gap year opportunity of a lifetime!

There are still a few openings for the coming 2025-26 year. Click here to apply!