Reasons for taking a year -- Changes in themselves -- Changes in relationships -- Changes in religious and civic perceptions -- Changes in ways of thinking and future plans -- Theorizing the gap year -- Developing citizens -- Designing gap year programs

The idea of the gap year has taken hold in America. Since its development in Britain nearly fifty years ago, taking time off between secondary school and college has allowed students the opportunity to travel, develop crucial life skills, and grow up, all while doing volunteer work in much-needed parts of the developing world