I think it has more to do with the fact that affluent people from other countries don't do the gap year thing and this is why it's seen as a 'white phenomenon'.

I think it has more to do with the fact that affluent people from other countries don't do the gap year thing and this is why it's seen as a 'white phenomenon'. I'm brown (from India) and have been traveling full time for the past 1 year with my girlfriend (who is white, from Portugal) and we've rarely met any non-white travelers even though there are plenty that can afford to. I think it's just cultural. White people have stronger wanderlust. (Back home everyone thinks I'm crazy :P)