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Thoughts About Going Back to China for a Gap Year?
I'm only a freshman in high school right now but my parents are strongly urging me to take a gap year after senior year and go back to China (I'm American-born Chinese; I've actually only visited China three times) for an entire year.
They are firm believers that China is the future and that I need to improve on my Chinese or something. Are they being wise or just being delusional?
I thoroughly loathe this suggestion; I want to be like every other kid and just jump right into college after high school. As for admissions, can I apply senior year and then state that I won't be going until two falls later, or will I have to apply whilst in China?
And is there any argument I can make to my parents to convince them out of bringing me back (I really have no choice right now)? Or would it actually be beneficial?
Thanks.
17 replies They are firm believers that China is the future and that I need to improve on my Chinese or something. Are they being wise or just being delusional?
I thoroughly loathe this suggestion; I want to be like every other kid and just jump right into college after high school. As for admissions, can I apply senior year and then state that I won't be going until two falls later, or will I have to apply whilst in China?
And is there any argument I can make to my parents to convince them out of bringing me back (I really have no choice right now)? Or would it actually be beneficial?
Thanks.
Replies to: Thoughts About Going Back to China for a Gap Year?
As for whether or not it’s worth doing a gap year in China - you need to have a plan for doing something other than just learning to speak the language better. Have you parents guided you on what they actually envision you doing, or given you any ideas about what you might do for a year? Just hanging out (anywhere) is a waste of a year. If you can intern, or volunteer, etc, and maybe do a bit of traveling, it might end up being a very worthwhile year. Alternatively, you can suggest to them that a gap year in China might make more sense after college, when you’re older, and can probably get more value out of it. (...even if you just do this to kick the can down the road..)
My biggest concern would be the loss of momentum. Some math concepts seem to become a case of "use it or loose it". Your study habits are in a groove. Some people find these difficult to get back once those skills get rusty.
There isn't a wrong answer. A year in China could be a great opportunity. I don't know if "it's the future" (seems all the Chinese want to study abroad themselves), but it would be interesting and educational nonetheless.
The important thing is that it is YOUR decision. If you aren't excited about your choice, you aren't likely to make the most of it.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a wonderful growing experience. Nearly 30 years later, I still consider my gap year the defining year of my life, personality wise. But you shouldn’t be forced into doing it. If all you need is a nudge... i’m all for it!
I do agree with groundwork that for a math heavy course a gap year could be a bit of an issue.
I want to major in Com Sci; I think I'll finish all the math courses for most Com Sci courses before Freshman year in College (in Calc AB right now)
And you will learn so much just by spending a year in China.
People really internalize the norms they grow up with. If you were like "every other kid" in many European countries, for instance, you would take a gap year like many/most of them do.
You now know that you can go through the admissions process, right up to accepting a spot at a school, while maintaining your gap year option.
Three years from now, you may feel like you want a gap year. You may even want to go to China for it. Many schools encourage gap years to the point of sending gap year information with the admissions package (and a few offering their own!) Students who choose this often feel refreshed, after being burnt out from high school. For many, it gets them out of the "excellent sheep" syndrome by allowing the to see and experience success and happiness without out-competing their classmates. Lots of students do gap years, btw.
For now, listen to your parents' ideas. Hear what it is they want for you and why. (I don't think their idea is terrible, btw, but it's a personal choice.)
Think about what you want for yourself. There may be workable options here for all of you (including spending summer(s) abroad. But now is not the time to make a decision or fight about it.
I have an alternative proposal. Ask your parents to send you to China each summer, for summer school in Chinese language and math/science/tech, whatever you like. That way, you would not get off track, you'd continue to zoom ahead in your education, and you'd get your Chinese language (and cultural skills) fluent, without wasting that year after college on a gap year that doesn't fit your educational goals.