I can't really address your country's collegiate experience.
But I can address the people concerns. You will likely find that most students don't jibe with you. You have to find your own way. Along the way, you will find people you will be friends with, but they likely won't be entry-level students, and taking the gap years will have separated you fairly irrevocably from those who haven't.
If you want to go to college, go to college. Take from it all you can, even if you can get by with less. Do well and don't depend on the approval of others.
But I can address the people concerns. You will likely find that most students don't jibe with you. You have to find your own way. Along the way, you will find people you will be friends with, but they likely won't be entry-level students, and taking the gap years will have separated you fairly irrevocably from those who haven't.
If you want to go to college, go to college. Take from it all you can, even if you can get by with less. Do well and don't depend on the approval of others.