In my opinion, you should always use an opportunity to see something new, especially abroad, because it allows you to grow and lets you meet new people and cultures. It expends your mind and makes you more open forto others. Secondly, you get to have some time for relaxation. During the school year, you can't really focus on anything other than school-related things. Getting a year free of all this is very useful for your mental and psychicalphysical health. Last but not least, you might find something that will change your mind and you won'twill no longer follow thisthe specific way that you've chosen. Maybe you'll find a new passion, and decide to pursue it? Or maybe you'll decide to stay in that place, because you'll fall in love with it? Or maybe you'll find somebody to love? Exploring the world is always a great experience, and who knows, maybeknows? Maybe you'll find a 'new you'. In conclusion, traveling abroad for a year before going to university is definitely not a waste of time and money. You get to learn a lot and you can always find some benefits of it.