Nepalese student proud of gap year decision

One Nepalese student has told of how she defied social convention to take a gap year before university - and how this proved to be a great decision.

Writing in the Himalayan Times, Shristy Chhetri explained that it is uncommon for young people in Nepal to break up their education by taking a year out abroad.

She said her parents initially saw her gap year as "a loss of time" - and this way of thinking dissuades young people from pursuing their gap year dreams in her country.

"We should rather think about it positively, and utilise the gap year to gain knowledge and experience that we can use further in life," Shristy stated.

"I volunteered during my gap year and it was a great experience for me. By working with disabled children, it taught me how to appreciate what I have in life."

She also revealed how she worked at a radio station during her year abroad, and gained important experience interviewing a range of different people.

"I believe that there are so many opportunities that you can engage yourself in before making that critical decision of what to do next," Shristy told the news provider.

But Nepalese parents may not be alone in approaching the 'gap year issue' with a degree of trepidation - it is simply a case of attitudes and opinions from person to person.

Parents only have the best interests of their children in mind, but they should perhaps consider the potential benefits of a gap year abroad before adopting a negative stance.

As Rachel Gallagher wrote in the Telegraph, gap years offer young people the opportunity to develop into rounded people who can deal with whatever life throws at them.

"It gives them the space to do their own thing, time to learn a new skill or gain work experience, to help others or the environment," she noted.

Gap years are also an opportunity for young people to broaden their horizons, to learn to get on with people, develop resourcefulness and appreciate other cultures and attitudes, Ms Gallagher said.

"Universities value the maturity and focus of gappers; and employers value the communication, decision-making and financial-planning skills as well as the initiative that gappers can show on their CVs," she added.

Find out about gap year benefits.