Gap year abroad contributes to study success
Drop-out rates are significantly lower for students who travelled prior to entering university. This is one of the conclusions from recent surveys carried out among first-year students at Dutch universities.
These surveys were included in ResearchNed’s annual Startmonitor at Nuffic’s request.
Although the number of gap-year students dropped in 2011 after a consistent rise from 2008–2010, currently nearly 3% of students entering university has travelled in the year prior to entry.
The ResearchNed surveys show that more than half of these students did so ‘to better be able to choose their field of study’, although ‘other reasons, not related to choice of study’ is most frequently cited.
Gap year delivers
The effect of the gap year is that most students feel more certain about their choices. About half the gap-year students ended up choosing a different study.
Having travelled prior to entering university significantly reduced the drop-out rate in the first year compared to students who went straight to a research university after secondary school. Nonetheless, this effect was not seen among students at universities of applied sciences.
A taste for more?
Almost fifty percent of the gap year students say the travel period led to a more internationally-oriented field of study. These students may also be more inclined to go abroad during their studies. Hopefully they even inspire others to do so, regardless of current changes in Dutch higher education, which might deter students from spending time abroad.
WilWeg
Nuffic encourages Dutch students to pursue part of their studies or an internship abroad. Our WilWeg website contains information on study and internship in more than 50 countries. Students will find scholarship opportunities, testimonials and practical information.
We also offer materials for education institutions to provide their students with information about opportunities abroad.
More information
Nuffic and its counterpart for secondary education in this project, the European Platform, have launched new surveys among Dutch secondary schools. This way we will find out more about students’ motivations for pursuing a gap year abroad and the obstacles encountered. You can find more information in Dutch on this on the website of the European Platform.
Nuffic recently posted a blog on this subject by mobility expert Eric Richters.
For questions and suggestions, please contact Margje Geurts, project leader Gap Year, via +31 70 426 02 60.