The gap year helped my son obtain tremendous self confidence and respect for people who are unlike himself. Many high school students are influenced by the masses and tend to exist as groups rather than as individuals. Much of how they live is determined by what others are doing and thinking. Again, being alone and traveling several places in the world, he was forced to adapt to several cultures and societies. He had to be more outgoing in order to obtain the basics to survive. That in turn taught him patience and humility. The materialism displayed by many Americans was greatly magnified and he now understands what is really important in life. I do not believe his maturity level would be anywhere near where it is now. The gap year really put life into perspective.