noun
gap year
A period, typically a year, taken off from study or work, often for travel, volunteering, or personal development. Used in Japanese contexts as a loanword.
大学に入る前にギャップイヤーを取って海外でボランティアをした。
I took a gap year before entering university and volunteered abroad.
ギャップイヤー中に語学留学をする人も多い。
Many people go on language study abroad during their gap year.