The outlook for international travel next year is optimistic and many students and young professionals are considering taking a gap year. A gap year is no longer equivalent to a total break from work and study, but instead indicates a period of experiential learning through travel, internships, and/or volunteer service. And we can tell that you’re ready to start planning yours NOW.
This might be you next year!
Gap years have become more popular in recent years, and there’s no better time to starting planning yours, given current events. Plus, you’ll be setting yourself up for success upon your return, adding a unique, hands-on experience to your resume.
Should I take a gap year?
Prior to deciding on whether or not to take a gap year, do your research. There is a plethora of gap year advice out there (including this article!) and it’s well worth taking the time to not only decide whether to take a gap year, but what type of gap year is right for you.
Start with the why. Why do you want to take a gap year? As mentioned above, it’s a great way to add unique experiences to your resume. It also offers a chance to explore the world, meet new people, learn a new language, and gain intercultural and cross-cultural communication and learning skills.
You’ll most likely close your gap year with new opportunities available to you and a better sense of what you’d like to do with your career moving forward.
Next, ask yourself why now? With COVID-19 still playing a major role in all of our lives, you’ll need to seriously consider the potential ramifications and logistics of going abroad for a gap year right now.
There may be limitations of where you can go and the type of gap year you can take. You may have responsibilities at home that inhibit your ability to travel. All of these things considered, this may be the perfect time to take a gap year. Your answer to why now may include reasons like:
- You’re currently not getting the most out of a college/internship/work experience because everything is being done virtually.
- You’re feeling isolated because you can’t see friends or family and you want to meet new people.
- You’ve been stuck inside for what feels like forever and can’t wait to get out and see the world again.
- You’re having difficulty finding a job after graduation due to increased competition and a decrease in hiring (or you just can’t find the job that you want).
To be fair, is there really a *bad* reason to go out and see the world?
Once you decide to take the leap, it’s necessary to set some gap year goals to make your experience truly worthwhile.
What should your gap year goals be?
1. Build your skillset
It’s a fact that students who have experienced living and studying abroad are better cross-cultural communicators, have an added understanding of global issues, and exhibit great problem solving skills.
Students often supplement these skills with learning how to work more independently, improving their knowledge of technology, and trying out a new sport or hobby. Including skill building among your gap year goals is important when thinking long term about how your gap year will serve you in the future.
2. Find purpose
In this modern world, students are usually asked to make decisions about their future career when declaring a college major. Oftentimes, that major is changed, students transfer, a career choice isn’t what one thought it would be, and those early declarations turn into “I wish I had gone into…” or “I wish I had tried…”.
So, why not take the time to explore the world and think on what will truly make you happy? A gap year goal of self-discovery will enable you to connect with yourself, find what you’re good at, explore alternate paths, and come out of the experience with a better sense of what you’d like your purpose to be.
Whether it be a passion for teaching or a newfound love for sustainability work, you’ll have a better sense of self and be able to make educated decisions about the next steps on your journey.
One of the best gap year goals to have is to find a new passion and run with it.
3. Try out a new language
Another skill that deserves its own unique gap year goal is learning a new language. In today’s interconnected world, knowing another language is an incredibly valued ability. Not only does it look great on a resume, people who can speak another language are said to have better listening, memory, and multitasking capabilities.
Setting an attainable goal for yourself is important—and one of our top gap year tips. With up to a year abroad at your disposal, you’ll be able to achieve even a basic understanding of another language (and that alone has many benefits!). Plus...you’ll really impress your friends back home.
4. Learn about culture
One of your top gap year goals should be learning about new cultures and perspectives. With a gap year experience like the one offered by Semester at Sea, you’ll travel to multiple countries (up to 10 on the Fall 2021 Voyage!), each with its own unique culture, and have the opportunity to become a true global citizen. Take some time to appreciate your new worldview and how it will influence the other gap year goals you’ve established for yourself.
5. Gain career experience
Make sure to keep your future career goals in mind throughout your gap year. While these career goals may shift or change, the experiences you are having will be front and center on your resume.
An experience sailing aboard a floating campus, for example, will stand out to any hiring manager! Take advantage of the international network you’re creating, the doors that may open, and the new skills you’ve acquired that will make you the perfect fit for that dream job.
Looking for gap year planning tools? Check out our FREE Online Advisor!
How to make the most of a gap year and achieve your goals
Now that you’ve set your goals, you’ll want to know how to make the most of your gap year by achieving them! Here’s a few gap year tips on how to do so:
1. Be realistic
The number one rule when setting goals (and some of the best gap year advice) is to make your goals achievable. Set yourself up for success, not failure. And hey, if you surpass your goal, more power to you!
One example of being realistic with your goal setting is knowing that you may not become fluent in a new language in one gap year. A more achievable goal would be to be able to have a conversation in that language by the end of your experience, or be able to do some basic writing and reading in that language.
Being honest with yourself is the best way to make the most of a gap year.
Be intentional with your gap year and you’ll easily make the most of it.
2. Find motivation
Let’s think back on the why. You’re taking a gap year because you want a unique experience, to learn about and explore the world, and to take the time to prepare yourself for a future career.
Remind yourself of your why every chance you get, and look to others for inspiration. Remember that true growth doesn’t always come easily, and the challenges you face will eventually make your gap year even more life-changing!
3. Ask for help
When you find it difficult to motivate yourself, look to those around you for support. You may find help from friends and family back home, or you may find it from the people you’ve met on your journey so far. Either way, make the most of a gap year by accepting some encouragement from others.
4. Follow through
You are your own best cheerleader. Make the most out of a gap year by saying what you mean and doing what you commit to. Try new things, talk to those who are different from you, and finish what you start.
5. Stay curious
A gap year doesn’t truly end. You’ll remember it for the rest of your life. The challenge is to continue to set goals, follow through with them, and not be afraid to break away from the status quo every once in a while. Stay curious about the world and every day is sure to be exciting!
Add MyGoAbroad to your list of gap year planning tools—and compare programs side-by-side for free!
Ready to conquer your gap year goals?
On a gap year, you’ll accomplish more than you could ever imagine!
If your answer to “should I take a gap year” is a resounding “YES!”, your voyage starts now! Everyone is looking to shake things up a bit in 2021 and there’s no better time to start planning than right this very moment.
You’ll want to save your spot in your ideal program and start doing some research so you can make the most of your gap year experience and travel responsibly. Taking a gap year will take flexibility, adaptability, adventurousness, and a willingness to try new things, but the benefits will be far reaching! Are you up for the challenge?
Browse ALL Gap Year Programs on GoAbroad.com
This article was written with help from Semester at Sea. Since 1963, Semester at Sea has sent more than 70,000 students around the world on 100+ day voyages to study, build skills, and develop friendships. Semester at Sea aims to educate students with the global understanding needed to address the challenges of our interdependent world.
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