The Gap Year A growing trend among American students After four years of high school or college, not all students are ready to continue with formal education. For some, a one-year break from academia provides time to learn more about themselves and the world. A gap year provides such an opportunity. STA travel, a student travel organization, defines the gap year as "a period of time taken by a student to travel or work, often after high school or before starting graduate school, as a break from formal education, or a career path." Even though a gap year is often taken between high school and college or undergraduate and graduate school, it can be taken at any point in life as a transition from one major event to another. Instead of rest and relaxation, though, most gap years are packed full of adventure, travel, culture, and education. Tradition abroad Although a gap year is a new concept to Americans, it's an established tradition for students in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In the UK and Australia, about 11% of students take a gap year or go "walking about" before enrolling in University. American universities A gap year can act as an alternative pathway to college for students who are burned out and drained from high school. Many "gappers" who enroll in college appear to have better focus and overall performance during their undergraduate years than students who followed the traditional education track, leading American colleges to recognize the benefits of veering from the traditional educational track. The College Board reports that three out of every five students at public universities do not graduate with a degree within five years. Princeton Universityrecognizes the benefits of the gap year and created a program called "bridge year" that allows accepted students to complete public service abroad before starting their freshman year. What do gappers learn? Students often attain confidence, motivation, and focus during their gap year. "Gappers" have the opportunity to rely on themselves, expand their comfort zone, and establish a wider understanding of themselves and the outside world. Through travel, cultural immersion, working, and volunteering, students acquire skills that allow them to be more self-sufficient, resourceful, and bold. In addition, many students gain an appreciation for hard work and education—all of which contribute to becoming more effective learners. Destination unknown Since there is no existing curriculum or pattern to follow during a gap year, students are free to design their own experience and pursue personal interests. Independent or structured travel, working or volunteering abroad, educational programs, and service work, such as City Year or AmeriCorps, are popular gap year activities.

America's Best Beaches, 2011 The following table lists the top ten best beaches to visit in the United States for 2011, according to Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, author ofAmerica's Best Beaches. In addition, find a list of the previous top-rated beaches in America below. NameLocation 1.Siesta BeachSarasota, Florida 2.Coronado BeachSan Diego, California 3.Kahanamoku BeachOahu, Hawaii 4.Main BeachEast Hampton, New York 5.Cape HatterasOuter Banks, North Carolina 6.St. George Island State ParkEastpoint, Florida 7.Beachwalker ParkKiawah Island, South Carolina 8.Coast Guard BeachCape Cod, Massachusetts 9.Waimanalo Bay Beach ParkOahu, Hawaii 10.Cape Florida State ParkKey Biscayne, Florida Previous Winners of the Best American Beach Award (excluded from 2011 list) YearNameLocation 2010Coopers BeachSouthampton, New York 2009Hanalei BayKauai, Hawaii 2008Caladesi Island State ParkDunedin/Clearwater, Florida 2007Ocracoke Lifeguard BeachOuter Banks, North Carolina 2006Fleming Beach ParkMaui, Hawaii 2005Fort DeSoto ParkNorth Beach, Florida 2004Hanauma BayOahu, Hawaii 2003KaanapaliHawaii 2002St. Joseph Peninsula State ParkFlorida 2001Poipu Beach ParkHawaii 2000Mauna Kea BeachHawaii 1999Wailea BeachHawaii 1998Kailua Beach ParkHawaii 1997HulopoeHawaii 1996Lanikai BeachHawaii 1995St. Andrews SRAFlorida 1994Grayton Beach SRAFlorida 1993HapunaHawaii 1992Bahia Honda SRAFlorida 1991Kapalua Bay BeachHawaii Released since 1991, 650 major public recreational beaches in the U.S. are rated according to 50 criteria.Source:Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), author ofAmerica's Best Beachesand professor of environmental studies at Florida International University.

Paid Vacation Around the World The following table lists nine countries and the average number of paid vacation days per year employees receive in each country. Italy42 days France37 days Germany35 days Brazil34 days United Kingdom28 days Canada26 days Korea25 days Japan25 days U.S.13 days Source:World Tourism Organization (WTO).

Distinctive Destinations for 2011 Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation designates a dozen distinctive places for Americans to visit. According to Richard Moe, president of the National Trust, “The communities named to this list are pockets of serenity amid the sprawl, clutter, and homogenization that have overwhelmed so many American vacation spots.” Each of the 12 cities and towns met a number of important criteria, including dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. These 12 cities and towns (in alphabetical order by city) are: 1. Alexandria, Virginia 2. Chapel Hill, North Carolina 3. Colorado Springs, Colorado 4. Dandridge, Tennessee 5. Eureka, California 6. Muskogee, Oklahoma 7. New Bedford, Massachusetts 8. Paducah, Kentucky 9. Saint Paul, Minnesota 10. San Angelo, Texas 11. Sheridan, Wyoming 12. Sonoma, California

Distinctive Destinations for 2010 Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation designates a dozen distinctive places for Americans to visit. According to Richard Moe, president of the National Trust, “The communities named to this list are pockets of serenity amid the sprawl, clutter, and homogenization that have overwhelmed so many American vacation spots.” Each of the 12 cities and towns met a number of important criteria, including dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. These 12 cities and towns (in alphabetical order by city) are: 1. Bastrop, Texas 2. Cedar Falls, Iowa 3. Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania 4. The Crooked Road, Virginia 5. Fort Collins, Colorado 6. Huntsville, Alabama 7. Marquette, Michigan 8. Provincetown, Massachusetts 9. Rockland, Maine 10. Simsbury, Connecticut 11. Sitka, Alaska 12. St. Louis, Missouri