As is known to all, in some countries, young people, between finishing high school and starting university studies, are encouraged to work or travel for a year.

Those finishing the high school period are finishing one of the most important periods of their life. They are tired but excited to find something new, and thus, as in many areas, young people come to prepare for their university life. However, the preparation is not adequate in the short summer holiday for some students. So the one-year gap for work or travel before university studies is of significant role. Students can broaden their horizons when traveling out of their hometown. They may have a further understanding of politics, economics, and cultures of the outside world. This may help a lot, especially if they major in something related to this in their future university studies.

Moreover, working before university may help the students to learn the rules of making acquaintance with others in the real context of society rather than simply in the schools.
Nevertheless, each coin has two sides. Working or traveling for one year before starting university studies may also have some disadvantages. For instance, if going outside alone, the problem of safety is really of great importance. Some youths love to take adventures and if they were given a whole year outside, but how to keep them safe is confusing.

In short, working or traveling a year before starting university studies have both advantages and disadvantages. It depends on the young people themselves and their families to make the choice.