After completing his term of apprenticeship in 1489 , DÃ 1\/4 rer followed the common German custom of taking a wanderjahre â '' in effect a gap year . DÃ 1\/4 rer was away nearly four years , traveling through Germany , Switzerland , and probably , the Netherlands . After completing his term of apprenticeship , DÃ 1\/4 rer followed the common German custom of taking Wanderjahreâ '' in effect gap yearâ '' in which the apprentice learned skills from artists in other areas ; DÃ 1\/4 rer was to spend about four years away .