Gap year is an English expression 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 high 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. The practice of taking a gap 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. A year out has grown very popular among students in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. A trend for a year out is to participate in international education programs that combine language study, cultural immersion, community service, and independent study. Taking a gap year can be an ideal option. The added benefits of wherever you go and whatever you do during your gap year are that you will most likely make new, interesting friends, and you could have experiences that will last a lifetime. Today, this term is popular no longer just among students but also among those who wish to take a year off between life stages, and to spend some time traveling around, exploring and learning from different people and cultures, as well as volunteering at the place where they are traveling.