Taking
a Gap Year

JP, 12ºH

For a long time I’ve been wishing to take a gap year. Finally, I made up my mind: after finishing high school I’m going to take a break from my studies. I’ll take advantage of that year to organize my life – I need to be sure of what I want to do. I realize that life is too short and I can’t put off dream, because someday it might be too late.

I feel there is a world waiting for me. Places to discover, languages to learn, people to meet, situations to be lived, and now is the time to “Seize the Day”. I’m deeply looking forward to testing my limits, finding who I am and becoming a better person, ready to face a complex world. I’ve decided to offer the longest year of my life to God, who has never left my side.

Nevertheless, the Portuguese Government is still blocking many young people from taking their Gap Year. In my case, I’ll have to pay for a space at university without attending any classes, just to save my spot. And let’s imagine that eventually I decide to stay abroad more time, then I’ll have to repeat my exams to get back into university once I decide to return. I totally disagree with all this bureaucracy. Furthermore, I think our Government should be a little more opened-minded and allow teens to enjoy their youth while they still have it.
I’m sure these trips will provide me with the maturity and responsibility I need to have, while studying at University. When I get older, I want to remember my teenage years without regrets.