ap years are still somewhat unfamiliar to Americans, while in Europe they’ve come to be a norm. If you want to know how to do a gap year, here’s a general overview:

Figure out why you want to take a gap year. Don’t set off on your life-changing journey without knowing what you want out of the experience. Do you want to learn a new language? Gain career skills? Just plain old immerse in a brand new place and culture? There’s no wrong way to take a gap year, but mapping out your gap year goals is a helpful first step.
Where do you want to go? There are some places that seem like they were made for gap year travelers (we’re looking at you, Australia and New Zealand). But that doesn’t mean you need to be limited to one country for your gap year! Maybe you want to budget travel Europe or South America. Or maybe you just want to go where the wind blows you! Either way, it’s good to remember that the wider you cast your net, the more money you better have in your savings account.
Decide between solo travel or a gap year program. You don’t have to book a gap year program in order to take your dream gap year, but it can be immensely helpful, especially if you plan to go to more than one destination. Gap year programs will help you sort out visas, find safe places to stay, and maybe even find you some paid work opportunities. But if you’re looking for a year of solo transformation while figuring out how to navigate an unfamiliar continent on your own, that sounds like a pretty cool gap year too!
Get your visa and passport. As a gap year traveler, you will most likely need to apply for a tourist visa in your destination of choice, unless you’re headed somewhere with a Working Holiday Visa. Either way, it’s important to note that these visas are usually limited in duration depending on your nationality. For example, Americans often can’t get tourist visas in Europe beyond 90 days. Once you know where you want to go, it’s important to do your research on which visas you qualify for (and how much they cost). It’ll also be time to get your passport if you don’t have one yet!
Map out an itinerary. Gap years don’t really have any kind of structure, unless you’ve booked a gap year program. That’s why it’s important to figure out what you want to do, and then make a general itinerary for yourself. We’re not saying you need to plan out every moment! Spontaneity is a cornerstone of some of the best adventures. However, for your own safety (and your loved one’s peace of mind), it can be helpful to have a rough idea of where you’re headed and what you’ll be doing.
Figure out where to stay. Hostels and WWOOFing are common accommodation types for gap year travelers. Pro tip: You better book ahead of time, rather than when you arrive, especially depending on the time of year you’re traveling. Tourist seasons will sell out reputable hostels and hotels, and you don’t want to show up somewhere at midnight after hours on a train or bus, only to be turned away with that heavy backpack.