The traditional idea of a gap year involves taking a year-long break between graduation from high school and the beginning of university or college. Typically, people taking gap years tend to fall between the ages of 17 to 21, and it’s not uncommon for young people to treat their gap year as an opportunity for endless partying! However, we’re here to remind you that there are much more meaningful layers to taking a gap year, and that these experiences aren’t limited to older teens and young adults.
First and foremost, your gap year will be a transformational experience.
If you’re interested in challenging yourself, growing substantially on a personal level, and seeing the world from new perspectives, then a gap year is definitely the right move for you. And don’t worry—there’s plenty of room for letting loose and having fun with new friends.
If that’s the type of experience you want to have after high school, college, grad school, or really any time that works for you, then we’ll teach you exactly how to take a gap year.
But first of all…
Is it a good idea to take a gap year?
The short answer is—yes! As previously mentioned, the traditional idea of a gap year has evolved. While many still wonder how to take a gap year and travel, taking a gap year in itself does not have to include travel in the conventional sense. In fact, you can spend your entire gap year in one country or city.
As long as you set intentional goals for your gap year, the way you go about taking a gap year (and when) can take various forms.
Is it possible to go on a gap year for free?
It might be a challenge, but you may be able to find a scholarship that funds a large portion of your trip depending on what type of program you’re going on, and your end goals. Otherwise, when you consider factors like airfare, visa fees, and accommodation, it’s going to be tough to find an experience that is truly free of cost.
Instead, the key idea is to plan your gap year out in a way that keeps costs as low as possible. During a gap year, your travel budget will shape the entire experience, especially if you don’t have an income throughout your experience.
Did you know that you can find free lodging with a work exchange?
Participating in work exchanges in a classic way to keep costs low during a gap year. This is where you work in exchange for accommodation and food provided. Such programs tend to be in the hospitality or agriculture industries, so this is a great way to also get real-world work experience and pad up that CV of yours for the future!
There may also be such programs available in your own city or country should you choose to stay at home during your gap year. Choosing this route would most likely cut down costs dramatically.
How to take a gap year and travel
If you feel like an experience abroad is the way to go, there are a multitude of destinations you can choose from to ensure a fulfilling gap year. With a little bit of research, you’ll find that there is something for everyone who is thinking of taking a gap year overseas.
Here is what to keep in mind as you plan for this experience.
1. Set clear goals
Setting goals will give your gap year a purpose.
Before we begin throwing darts at a map, the first step is to set intentional goals and settle on the purpose of your time during your gap year. This will be instrumental in helping you decide where in the world you’d like to go to.
You don’t need to have every step planned out, but it’s always a good idea to know how you’ll be spending this time so that you can remain on track. Exploring various gap year programs can provide a lot of inspiration for what you want to do during a gap year!
2. Decide when to go on a gap year
Today, the concept of the gap year has widened. It’s now considered a lot more “normal” to take a gap year at times other than after high school graduation. For instance, there are currently many students taking a gap year in the middle of completing their degree, or after completing a Bachelor’s before moving on to their Master’s.
Some young people have no intention of going to university or college, and instead make the choice of taking their gap year after completing high school and before joining the workforce.
Furthermore, taking a gap year has moved beyond just mindless debauchery, and many young people are choosing to be intentional with their time during this break. No matter what your choice may be, being mentally prepared to go into an experience like this is of utmost importance! Choose the timing of your gap year wisely.
3. Choose a focus for your gap year
There are many ways to fulfill your time during your gap year, be it working, volunteering, or taking your studies further!
Work abroad and earn money
Do you want to gain some real-world working experience while taking your gap year? There are countless options for that. Why not live in New Zealand while learning how to be a paid ski instructor? Or if you’re interested in the hospitality and culinary industry, you can work for a resort in Canada or earn money while you train as a cook.
A great way to earn money abroad would be teaching English, so why not get your TEFL qualification and work at the same time?
Additional study while on a gap year
Whether it’s for school or personal enrichment, get ahead on courses while abroad.
We know—taking a year off studying just to use that time to study something else might seem counter-productive. However, this is a great opportunity to expand your learning beyond just your degree. And we’re not necessarily talking about sitting in a classroom all day.
Why not learn a whole new language by immersing yourself in the country for a year? Many language programs offer an immersive experience in different countries that are very fulfilling.
Furthermore, since the pandemic, many prestigious courses are available online. You could learn to code or learn the basics of finance to give yourself a headstart without having to juggle your regular school work.
Or why not take these online courses in a different country? This way, you can blend different types of experiences together for a more fulfilling gap year.
Volunteer on your gap year
If you’re passionate about certain causes and want to spend your year giving back, volunteering might be your way to go. There are many programs available to help your search. These experiences can be immensely meaningful and fulfilling for both you and your host community, while also making your resume shine if you want a career in human rights or non profit work later on.
4. Do proper research beforehand
It’s important to put thought and consideration into your decision behind where to take your gap year. In many circumstances, this step might come first!
Cultural sensitivity is of utmost importance should you choose to take your gap year in underserved countries. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you’re fulfilling your time volunteering respectfully:
- Remember that people in your host community are not props for your Instagram photos. Forcing people into group photos or taking pictures and videos of them and uploading them without their consent is disrespectful.
- Be accepting of alternative perspectives. You are likely coming in with the best intentions, but the way in which you want to help might not be integrated into the everyday lives of people there. An example can be pushing children in your host community to do English homework. While it may be important for children to do homework every day and practice, their day-to-day lives might not allow for that. They might have other responsibilities like caring for their home and families. Do as much as you can within class time, but manage your expectations as to what can be done outside of it.
- Respect local customs. Especially if you’re planning to work in remote areas, you may encounter norms that feel strange or uncomfortable for you. You can always politely decline to participate, but it’s not your place to make or suggest changes to the way of life that people have been living for many generations. For example, declining to eat meat when you’re a vegetarian is perfectly acceptable, but lecturing the locals on why eating meat is wrong is definitely a big no-no.
- Let local people be the guide to your volunteering work. Seek instructions and guidance from local people as to how you can best serve your time in these places. While you are always welcome to give suggestions, allowing local people to take the lead on how to help should always be the goal.
When you make the decision to go into your gap year abroad consciously, you will gain a deeply fulfilling experience that will be unmatched!
5. Make sure you have the right visa
Check and double check those travel documents. It saves the headache later!
Now that you know where to go, when to go, and what to do, you’ll need to research which visa you need for the experience. If you’re taking a gap year through a provider, you’ll most likely have a program advisor or coordinator who can help you out with this step.
Visa acquisition is exceptionally important, as your visa will determine what kind of activities you can participate in while in your destination, and how long you can stay. Many countries legally limit the activities that people can do while on a tourist visa; for example, studying or earning money. Other countries have specific gap year visas, like the Working Holiday Visa in Australia and New Zealand.
Be sure to look into visa requirements months in advance to have your bases covered. The last thing you want to do is break the laws of a country in which you are a guest, or not be able to do what you had planned!
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How to take a gap year at home
So you’ve done the research and decided that perhaps traveling at this time might not be for you. You can still do the above-mentioned suggestions right in your own country!
Making money while on a gap year in your country
Since you won’t have to consider the expenses of living abroad, this is a great time to get hustling and add to your bank account without distractions—maybe in a new state or city! You can also use this time to invest in starting your own online business or setting yourself up for making passive income. The options are endless!
Interning while on a gap year at home
Apart from online internships, many prestigious companies offer year-long internships that are open to any student. It’s also likely that they will offer college credit. Get your foot in the door and spend the year networking and meeting new people who could potentially be instrumental in your future career.
Volunteering at home
If you live in or around underserved areas, you can use your gap year to give back to the community and be of service. Americorps is a great way to do this in the United States, and will help you pay off your student loans.
Additional study
As mentioned previously, many universities have courses online that you can take from the comfort of your own bedroom. You can also pick up other hands-on skills like painting, pottery, or woodwork during this time!
You’re embarking on your most transformative journey
Discover yourself and see the world with a gap year!
One of the main goals for any gap year is that you should have a transformative experience and come out of it on the other side a more fulfilled and well-rounded person. The suggestions above serve to guide you in that way, but ultimately your gap year experience is completely in your hands—the most important thing is that you actually take one!
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