The phenomenological understanding of taking a gap year : a qualitative study

Abstract

The aim of this research is to explore the phenomenological understanding of taking a gap year and the psychological effects and outcomes it has on individuals. Five participants were interviewed through semi-structured interviews and were analysed via an interpretive and phenomenological approach. This analysis emerged five themes: ‘Travel Motives’, ‘Influencing Factors’, ‘Personal Experiences’, ‘Challenges’, and ‘Outcomes of a Gap Year’. The results of this study indicate that a gap year might help individuals attain personal growth with the opportunity of exploring the world and facing various challenges before, during, and after travelling. This highlights the need to give more awareness in terms of gap year individuals and the psychological effects they might face.