In the US and the UK, a [blank_start]gap year[blank_end] is a period of time when students take a [blank_start]break[blank_end] from the formal British or American [blank_start]education[blank_end] systems to [blank_start]travel[blank_end], volunteer, study abroad, work as interns, or [blank_start]work[blank_end]. A gap year experience can last for several [blank_start]weeks[blank_end], a semester, or up to a [blank_start]year[blank_end] or more. Typically a gap year is [blank_start]taken[blank_end] between high school graduation and starting [blank_start]graduate school[blank_end] or a career.