To think this the most pointless, indulgent gap year possible

You’re nowhere near 18 and it’s not your gap year. Why does what you think about it matter? It’s completely irrelevant. My DD is 20 - she’d adore the year that you describe, the only difference is that this girl is fortunate enough to have the funds to do it with. Sounds like a dream year of travel to me! Not everyone wants to rough it backpacking.

I'd probably be quite envious, as well on having a year long holiday, but I wouldn't agree it was pointless, it sounds amazing. Holidays are usually about having a different experience or break from the norm, however cultured or uncultured they are.
If her parents can buy her a million pound flat then she's probably used to luxury holidays, and this is simply a longer one.
2 of DDs friends are doing gap years. They're working in restaurants/shops in their home town and staying at home, to save up for uni.

This sounds absolutely amazing good luck to her. Having money doesn't mean she won't know struggles. Anything can happen to anyone money doesn't shield you from the horrible parts of life!

It sounds like bliss. I wouldn’t want to backpack either.

Got sod all to do with you anyway.

Sorry OP but you’re coming across as an absolute shit.

Why do you keep saying the EU as if it is a single country? Odd.

The jealousy is radiating

however she’s very attractive and comes from money - I doubt she will ever know struggle herself and I think even a gap year which exposes her to some of the harsher realities of the world would be something valuable. Instead it’s a degree apprentice in the finance world after a year of luxury, this girl will go through life without knowing a single ounce about those worse off. This is how we end up with extremely out of touch politicians

My god OP. Cringing at you being so damn jealous of a pretty 18 year old.

You seem so disgusted by her, when in fact, you're just dripping in jealousy.

It's embarrassing.

I can’t quite believe that a supposed grown adult has effectively written a hate post on a teenage girl’s life out of jealousy🤣

@Killiam they probably are looking to prepare her in exactly that way. As you do for your children.

And the comment on where they came from? I can’t remember who said it but someone exceptionally successful recently said: ‘people are often envious of what I have now but they are rarely envious of the work I had to put in to get there’.

So, so true. There are those in RL who are envious of my parents, my DB and me (in that order due to level of success).

My father had to travel away from us as a family for a lot of his career and we were uprooted every time he got a promotion.

My DB works away a lot too leaving his family as he is their head honcho in Europe for a company based oversees and he opted not to relocate having experienced it as a kid.

Even I am sending this from a train I have been on for over an hour having already worked for a lot of that time as I have back to back meetings with stakeholders and will get home tonight at about 11pm or so. Least I work for myself so when I do get back I can plan out my own schedule regarding actions coming from today.

I bet this family put themselves out too to provide their kids with these options. Fancy any of it for yourself?

Unsurprisingy, OP is studiously ignoring everyone who has asked that, and is only responding to those who agree, or in order to show a bit more envy

A moment ago you said she would be going in “above entry level”. Or is that exaggerated as you don’t like them?

OK and?

You sound so jealous!! Why can't you just be happy for her?

why does her gap year have to be "enriching" per whatever your enrichment criteria are? I did two gap years (yep, the classic backpacking stuff - actually what this girl has arranged sounds a bit different and more varied tbh) and no one had to approve or disapprove based on any sort of arbitrary enrichment criteria. What business is it of yours?

Get a grip OP, bitter much? This year fabulous, much like an updated version of the Grand Tour.

Also, it's immersing, not emerging. However, and to be fair, New York in December is packed with tourists, cold and dark, and at times, she will be very much emerging onto city streets far far busier than anything I have ever seen in London. Personally, I think it's a great thing she'll find out how hideous New York is in December, I only found this out in my 40s (having only ever visited in Spring, late Summer/Autumn).

Are you jealous, OP? Certainly sounds like it!

Again, it's got nothing to do with your DH either! Why are you talking as if they need your approval??

Ha, I read War and Peace and Anna Karenina when I was 16-17, it’s definitely doable.
Haven’t had a chance to spend December in New York yet, but it sounds fabulous to me.

Sounds amazing.

And much more enriching than backpacking aka travelling with similar people, getting drunk together, whilst spending as little money possible locally.

Also probably going to cost them less than a year at uni.

Sounds bloody lovely. I’m sure she will have interesting experiences she will learn from. However I also don’t think everything needs to be about that. Life is short and those years before and after university (before you start a career and settle down with a partner and perhaps marry and start a family) are precious - she has every right to enjoy them!!

As far as I was aware there's no contractual obligation to spend your gap year eating super noodles and padlocking your rucksack to your hostel bed.

She presumably wants to do the things, the parents presumably can fund it, job done. Whether you think it's worthy enough to be a gap year doesn't really factor in.

How is she getting accommodation in New York if she's 17yo? Other than that, the gap year sounds fun!