The fluent sales talk is irresistible. "Did you know that 17 per cent of first-year students fail to finish college here? And the figure is even higher in Britain, at 20 per cent. But for those who take a gap year the proportion falls to less than 1 per cent."
James Flecker, of UCAS, the central applications body for colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland, was in full flow detailing the benefits of the gap year for the edification of second-level students thronging the Higher Options conference, held in the RDS, Dublin, last month. The terms "gap year" or "year out" are usually used when students defer a college place for a year.
"It means you have time to think about the choice you have just made . . . your brains need a break from academic study. It's a myth that a year out means you won't want to return to study. It couldn't be further from the truth. You go back with renewed enthusiasm rather than jaded, straight from school," says Flecker.
A gap year can also be good for your CV, he says; most graduates' CVs can be put into an identical pile but if you have been to Tanzania or elsewhere it gives you an extra edge. These are all very good reasons to at least consider the gap year, he urges, so don't turn your back on the possibilities.
"The CAO and UCAS make it easy. Lecturers positively like students to have taken a year out, because they're more stimulating to teach. For instance, if you go into international politics and have spent a year in a developing country you will have a different view. You are the person your lecturer will be talking to." And, if that doesn't persuade you, Flecker catalogues the benefits of getting to grips with the practicalities of life away from home - cooking, ironing, washing . . . "You become more independent and self-reliant."
Flecker and his colleague Neville O'Grady were at the RDS on behalf of UCAS, which produces a publication detailing the schemes of 23 well-known Year Out organisations. The practicalities of the year may include fund-raising to pay a fee to the organisations. For instance, O'Grady says it costs £3,350 sterling to spend your gap year with Project Trust, while Students Partnership Worldwide costs £2,500 for eight months.
"People don't find the fund-raising that difficult. It's hard work but it's fun and people want to contribute as they feel they are directly supporting the developing countries," he adds. Parental worries often centre around safety and communications. The benefit of going with one of the 23 organisations is that unobtrusive support is offered to the young people, says O'Grady, and communications are good almost everywhere in the world.
As to the worry that students won't return to take up their college place, O'Grady says only one of 600 students with Project Trust did not continue their studies. "Usually they develop a sense of the value of education and stop taking life for granted."
The organisations listed in the UCAS booklet range from Africa and Asia Venture to Art History Abroad to Camp Counsellors USA and Work Experience USA to Teaching Abroad. A variety of experiences is possible from cultural exchanges to educational visits to volunteering to expeditions to work experience and study abroad.
UCAS suggests that students thinking of taking a year out ask questions of the organisations and research the options available. Find out about costs and the support offered by the organisation. The organisation can usually put you in touch with participants who have taken a year out.
Students often ask if they can go with a friend. This may be possible but the UCAS booklet advises that it is not always the best option. The selection process usually includes an application form or questionnaire and an interview. References may be required.
Organisations may provide selection and counselling, and advise on the suitability of a programme and what you should expect from it before you take part.
UCAS can be contacted at Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ. (Website: http://www.ucas.ac.uk)
