As someone currently on an extended trip (1-2 years total, been travelling for 4+ months thus far) I'm not sure I'd actively encourage my kids to do this before

As someone currently on an extended trip (1-2 years total, been travelling for 4+ months thus far) I'm not sure I'd actively encourage my kids to do this before college. My wife and I left our corporate jobs after saving for 3 years and paying off school loans. We're able to spend a bit more and travel to more places as a result of having "real" jobs before our departure. This also gave us a taste of our day to day with our chosen professions and an excellent chance to make changes (based on real experience) if desired. That said, I'd certainly recommend it for just about anyone who is interested. We've learned (basic) Spanish, tons of geography, and about the diversity of cultures in South America. We've also seen many amazing sites. I really wish this was more common for Americans.