我们原来说过generation gap(代沟)这个词，而且也知道gap这个词一般指的也都是“间隔、空档”的意思。那么今天要说的这个gap year到底指什么呢？
Gap year is an English expression (also known as drop year, deferred year, bridging year, etc) referring to a period of time - not necessarily a year in which students take time off and do something other than schooling, such as travel or work. The year out is most commonly taken after secondary school and before starting university. However, over recent years there has been an increase in 21-23 year olds taking a year out after completing their degree。
Gap year(空档年)是一个英国词儿，指学生离开学校一段时间，经历一些学习以外的事情，比如外出旅行或者工作。当然，这段时间不一定非得是一年。空档年一般选在离开中学进入大学之前。不过，近几年越来越多21到23岁、已经获得学位的年轻人也开始给自己一个空档年。
The practice of taking a deferred year developed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. During this time, a student might travel, engage in volunteer work overseas or undertake a working holiday abroad。
空档年这种做法于二十世纪六十年代兴起于英国。在空档年期间，学生可以旅行、参与海外义工活动或者到国外打工度假。
A year out has grown very popular among students in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. A trend for year out is to participate in international education programs that combine language study, homestays, cultural immersion, community service, and independent study。
如今，空档年在英国、澳大利亚、新西兰以及加拿大的学生当中都已非常流行。新近的趋势是在空档年期间参与国际教育项目，其中包括语言学习、住家、文化渗透、社区服务以及独立学习等。
