The Rise of the Micro-Gap Year

There is much uncertainty in the world of work and education. Many students who are presented with the opportunity of a gap year are feeling dejected by their limited options to create new experiences, take a break, and remotivate their ambitions.

While 2020 has felt like the longest year, travel restrictions and domestic guidelines have further limited how young people can approach a gap year. For some, breaking for a whole year is just unviable―education and work cannot always be put on hold.

Instead, taking a shorter break is becoming a more popular option. We have seen the rise of the micro-gap year, a shorter break where students can still experience the thrills and experiences of a normal year-long break condensed into a few months.

Here, we look at why students are taking shorter gap years and what experiences are waiting for those who do.