What are the best country's for a gap year?

Studying abroad in Japan for a gap year after highschool, or just do programs in college?

• I really want to go to Japan, and I've wanted to take a year from high school to go. My parents are against this, and I realized it was in my best interest academically to stick through high school to get all my credits, and do a summer program going into my senior year. It would still be a wonderful experience, though not as long, and I could use it on college applications. However, I was starting to think about maybe doing a gap year? But the idea really stresses me out, of getting behind in college by a year for a gap year, but it would be such an amazing experience, to spend a whole year in Japan. Most people never regret it. However, taking a year off of schools freaks me out, and I was wondering on your experiences with gap years, was it worth it? How did you make up with college? Also, I could have the option to just study for a term in Japan, most colleges offer it, and then I could maybe do another term somewhere else sometime later. What do you think? Term vs. gap year?

• Answer:

  Personally, I want to do a gap year and go around the world, Japan is a place I want to spend an extended amount of time. Sure, you could do a summer program, but is 3 weeks-2months enough time to really get the experience you want? I am doing my best to graduate high school a semester early (in December instead of June) and using that extra 6 months, plus 2 summer months, as a gap year instead of taking an extra year off before college. My dad was totally against a gap year and not going to college right away, but he like this idea better because I go to college as expected and I get my trip. In my state (NJ) I need 4 years of English and gym, so this year, 11th grade, I am going to start my extra classes. Good luck! BTW I vote gap year (if you couldn't already tell)