CHINESE young people typically go straight from university to work and then work, work, work to succeed. But some are dropping out for a year. Li Anlan explains. Dropping out of school or work is usually frowned upon in China and considered self-indulgent and irresponsible.

Still, the grind can be so intense, the expectations so high and the pressure so great that many industrious young people long for a change - yet fear to take a break. How hard will it be to come back and find a job or resume a career, they wonder. Will they fall behind?

It's common in the West for young people to take breaks, travel and see the world; they are generally encouraged to do so, to broaden their horizons. Chinese parents generally don't encourage their children to kick over the traces and embark on a journey of self-discovery and reexamination of values in strange countries.

Still, some people are choosing to drop out for a while, take a break or enjoy what's being called a "gap" year for travel or volunteering. Some take a break during university, or after graduation and before finding a job. Some take a work leave, or just quit their jobs for a few months, a year or more.

The grim and grimmer job outlook for university graduates makes a gap year more appealing these days.

According to official statistics reported by Xinhua news agency, around 6.6 million people graduated from college in 2011, while the employment rate for fresh graduates last year was 77.8 percent. More graduates are expected this year. But a recent survey by the Ministry of Human Resources showed that enterprises recruited 12.3 percent fewer college and university graduates in the first quarter of this year.

And then there's the lure of travel, adventure and self-discovery at a time when the urban rat race and drive for material acquisitions are taking their toll. Young people want know more about what's out there and want to see other parts of the world.

In China, more people are willing to drop out and take a break in what some call a "coming of age" experience. They hope for enrichment, broader horizons, personal insight and maybe some answers about life. Of course, it takes financial resources and a broad-minded family, which not everyone has.

Many people have been inspired by Sun Dongchun's 2009 book "The Belated Gap Year," documenting his 13 months in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, China's Tibet Autonomous Region and other Asian and Southeast Asian countries and regions.

Sun, originally from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, had a satisfying job and good life before taking a year off. He first planned to volunteer for two months in India and travel for one month in Tibet. He encountered many surprises and unexpected turns of events that his "mini gap year" became a long journey.

After he returned home, he found out that he himself had changed greatly, and so had his values, reasoning process, body language and lifestyle.

"If I returned exactly the same as when I left, was my gap year meaningful? When I got back I felt unable to fit in, proving the changes and inspirations the gap year brought me. I don't need to question it, but to adjust myself, and blend the inspirations and changes into my life. I remember what I've told myself when I left on my trip: I was not escaping, I was getting away so that I could face my life better when I returned."

Susan Xu, who also lives in Guangzhou, decided in 2009 to take a break from her communications job and travel.

"I've always wanted to go out and see the world myself. I've been interested in the four great ancient civilizations since high school," Xu says. "Seeing them has been a dream since I was young." She made it to Egypt, the Middle East and India. China is the fourth great river valley civilization.

She first stayed for a month in Sichuan Province where she sponsored a child survivor of the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Then she traveled on to neighboring Tibet and on to Nepal. She also visited India, Egypt, Israel and Jordan, as well as Malaysia.

Xu wasn't just sightseeing.

She also visited Kolkata (Calcutta) where she volunteered at Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, a popular choice among other Chinese people taking a break.

She chose some countries and regions both because she had studied their ancient civilizations and also because they were poor and she could help people.

"I want to feel and experience the cultural heritage of the ancient civilizations," Xu says.

Fiona Fang from Shanghai graduated from Tongji University in 2010 with a degree in nursing. After working at a hospital for a while, she took a career break and quit her job. She traveled for three months and visited India, Nepal, China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Thailand. She also volunteered at the Missionaries of Charity for two weeks.

"I chose India partly for the volunteer work," Fang explains. "I wanted to see India, because it's a very magical place."

The journey was not only an opportunity to get away from a high-pressure life, but also to think about life and values. After her three months' travels, she knows what she really wants in life, she says.

"Now I can understand my love for my family better," Fang says.

For Xu, travel outside China helped put life in perspective. Work and money aren't as important to her as they were before she traveled.

"I don't feel as anxious when things don't turn out as expected," Xu says.

There are risks and various issues involved in traveling abroad alone, especially for women. It can be arduous and dangerous. Fang says she was anxious about personal safety during her first few days in India. "Locals told me not to simply trust people who helped me," Fang says.

When Xu crossed into Israel from Jordan she encountered police arresting a suspected terrorist and was frightened, but the man was arrested quickly.

She says one should be careful and sceptical and don't trust everyone because there are people with bad intentions.

Since journeys for sightseeing and self-discovery can be costly, Xu slept at airports and took buses. She didn't want to rely on others.

"I want to do it by myself," Xu says. "I have a clear conscience when spending my own money."

"I think a gap year should not be considered simply travel," Fang says. "I stayed with locals to chat and tried the food."

Though taking a break is not an easy decision for a Chinese young person, the journey can be worth the effort.

"Take the first step, and other things will come together naturally," Xu says. "The most important part is to go out."