Read the following passage and choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

GAP YEAR
In the professional or career world, a gap year is a year before going to college or university and after finishing high school or ___(1)___ a year off before going into graduate school after completing a bachelor as an undergraduate. ___(2)___ this time, students may engage in advanced academic courses, extra-academic courses and non-academic courses, such as yearlong pre-college math courses, language studies, learning a trade, art studies, volunteer work, travel, internships, sports and more. Gap years are sometimes considered a way for students to become independent and learn a great deal of ___(3)___ prior to engaging in university life.
Australians and New Zealanders have a tradition of travelling overseas independently ___(4)___ a young age. In New Zealand, this is known as “doing an OE” (Overseas Experience). Sometimes, an OE is ___(5)___ to one year, but often Australians and New Zealanders will remain overseas for three to five years, with many working short-term in service industry jobs to fund their continuing travels. Europe and Asia are popular destinations for doing an OE. In Australia, through exchange programmes and benefits for youth, there are so many opportunities for a young person to broaden their mind through travel in a gap year.