Don’t you wonder what everybody else does with the seemingly endless freedom of gap years? Truth is, it depends on the person, and there is no right or wrong answer. Our best gap year advice would be: Now is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone.
Think about what you want, what your career goals are, and how much budget you have. For example, if you’ve always dreamed of learning French and traveling to France, checking out some French language programs abroad might be a good idea. Or if you see your gap year as an opportunity to improve your CV, why not take a look at some internships related to your degree?
We have some tips for you to make the most of your gap year and find the best activity possible!
9 gap year tips for making the most of your time
Looking for gap year advice to inspire your journey? We’ve got you covered.
The ideal gap year looks a little different for everyone. A language geek would prefer to go on a Spanish immersion program, while adventure junkies would naturally be drawn into adventure travel activities like backpacking, hiking, and trekking.
With these gap year tips, let’s make sure you find the right activity and enjoy your year to the fullest:
1. Think about what you really want to do.
Now is the perfect opportunity to prioritize your dreams—it’s not every day that you get to do a gap year! It might seem like a good idea to follow your friends to Southeast Asia, but what if you really want to volunteer in Costa Rica?
To have a clearer idea, start by checking out some popular gap year activities, such as adventure travel, volunteering, teaching, and interning abroad. Try to see which one appeals to you most.
2. Take your future goals into account.
If it’s still hard to decide what to do in your gap year, focus on your future goals. For example, if you’re studying medicine, doing a medical internship abroad can be a great head start for your career.
3. Look into volunteering, teaching, or interning abroad.
An internship abroad can be a great way to let your gap year boost your CV.
By volunteering, working, or teaching abroad, you’re not only a tourist but a meaningful traveler who gets to learn about the local culture in unique ways. While volunteering abroad, you often pay a fee to cover accommodation, food, and training costs. The experience is well worth it though!
If you’re short on money, consider paid working or teaching programs. With the latter, you can make up to $4,000 (or more!) per month depending on the country.
4. Plan your budget ahead of time.
Budgeting is indeed one of the less exciting aspects of preparing for a gap year. But to have an idea of possible destinations and the duration of your stay, you need to know your budget.
The best gap year money advice would be to start saving in advance to have enough for program fees, accommodation, visas, and other travel expenses. To further minimize costs, consider choosing affordable programs in countries where the cost of living is lower.
5. Be open to new experiences.
A gap year is about growth and discovery, especially when you’re traveling abroad.
Do you have the chance to go on a scuba diving trip with your gap year program coordinator? Go for it! Is everyone in your program hiking the nearby mountain on the weekend? Join them!
Chances are, you’ll love it, make new friends, and have lifelong memories.
6. Choose the right time to travel.
Taking a gap year during peak travel seasons can make your experience more expensive—and more chaotic.
For wildlife volunteer programs, take the migratory patterns and breeding seasons into account—some animals may not be visible at certain times. For teaching abroad, apply a couple of months before the school start dates to have a higher chance of securing a place. While traveling in general, prioritize off-peak seasons to save money.
7. Focus on the moment when you’re feeling down!
Most gap year travel advice articles mention how amazing the experience is. We agree—but it’s also important to mention that gap years are not all roses. Sometimes, you may feel like you’re falling behind or get lonely.
In times like this, remind yourself that you’re investing in your personal growth, having new experiences every day, and learning tons of new skills. You’re not falling behind, you’re creating thousands of memories each day!
8. Make a before-you-go checklist.
Before you book your flight tickets, make sure to have a valid passport, health and travel insurance, your visa, and updated vaccinations. Inform your bank and your student loan company that you’ll be traveling abroad so you don’t face any problems when you’re away.
9. Pack light.
You’re ready to learn more about the world as you learn about yourself.
Make a gap year packing list to include a good backpack, important documents, weather-appropriate clothes, and essential electronics like headphones. This will help you pack light and remember to take everything you need.
Get matched with 5 gap year programs right now
5 recommended gap year programs
Still looking for advice on where to travel for your gap year? We curated five programs that are perfect for gap year students like you:
1. 6-Month Gap Year Adventure
- Why? Learn Spanish in Spain, build houses in Cambodia, see the Big 5 in South Africa, and save the sea turtles in Sri Lanka. In most gap year programs, you would need to choose one of these experiences. With this program, you can have it all. Make your way to all these four countries across three continents, and try a bit of everything during the six-month program.
- Where? South Africa, Spain, Cambodia, Sri Lanka
- Read Impact Gap Year reviews
2. Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica - Adventure with Purpose
- Why? Choose between three projects in Costa Rica: community building, environment, or adventure leadership. Whether you’re working to improve the living conditions of indigenous communities, helping park rangers with environmental issues, or trekking in Costa Rica’s beautiful rainforests, your gap year will be full of adventure and discovery. Your colleagues will be fellow gap year students who are as excited as you to discover Costa Rica.
- Where? Costa Rica
- Read Raleigh International reviews
3. Humanitarian Photography Project
- Why? Make a difference during your gap year, and use your love of photography for a good cause. At the end of your program, you’ll have a strong understanding nonprofit photography, which is an invaluable experience to add to your CV. Most of your tasks will be related to documenting the work of nonprofit organizations in an African context, so if that sounds interesting, don’t miss this opportunity!
- Where? Malawi, Zambia
- Read Roots Interns reviews
4. Environmental & Community Gap Year Adventure, Costa Rica
- Why? One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Costa Rica is a top choice for community-building, conservation, and environment-focused travel experiences. In this program, you’ll be living in an indigenous area, going on epic hikes, and experiencing what it’s like to live in a jungle. If you’re looking for a mix of adventure travel and cultural travel, this program is a perfect fit.
- Where? Costa Rica
- Read Kaya Responsible Travel reviews
5. Wildlife Rehabilitation: Rescue and Release, South Africa
- Why? As a result of the growing human population in the Greater Kruger region, wild animals face a lot of dangers. Join the staff at this ethical wildlife sanctuary to care for different animals, such as bush babies, antelopes, warthogs, and caracals. The Greater Kruger region is a very special part of the world, surrounded by stunning rainforests and waterfalls. While living there, you will most likely see Africa’s Big 5—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo!
- Where? South Africa
- Read African Impact reviews
Explore ALL Gap Year Programs on GoAbroad.com!
Following the best gap year advice could lead to the best year ever!
Once you’ve found the right activity that fits your interests and budget, enjoying your gap year will be inevitable! No matter where you go, you’ll keep those amazing memories for a lifetime.
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