What is a gap year?

A gap year is a break from study or work which usually lasts three months to one year. People of all ages take gap years, many young people in the UK tend to take a gap year prior to or following college or university.

A gap year can include a period of change from living in your home country, to travelling the world undertaking work, volunteering or just exploring. In the UK a gap year when leaving school and before entering higher education is a now a very popular transitional choice.

Even more common is the number of 28 - 40 year olds now taking what is known as mature gap years.

Mini gap years commonly last for a period of six weeks to three months and with the current economic climate more and more people are considering taking time out from jobs, and going on career breaks worldwide or getting experience in between jobs.

Many employers now view gap years as a positive learning experience. A lot of large institutional employers allow employees to apply for unpaid sabbaticals whilst even government departments, for example in Canada allow staff to take 12 month break every five years.

Going abroad is not a necessary component for a gap year, there are thousands of opportunities in countries around the world, for example in the UK you could volunteer with the National Trust or even just have time off work to relax and do something different than the normal 9-5 working routine or you could learn a new skill which will be beneficial to your future.

There’s an exciting new world out there and we’re going to help you explore it!

There are currently over half a million people taking gap years every year, so what are you waiting for?

Why taking a gap year could be a good idea:

It improves confidence and broadens your personal experience
It demonstrates that you have a proactive, inquiring nature
It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture
Possibly become fluent in another language.
It can improve your chances of future employment

Why people take a gap year

By the time most students have been to college, the average eighteen-year-old has spent most of their life in full-time education. With increasing pressures in education it is no shock that a growing number of students and non students alike are now choosing to take a break.

For many, a year out can provide the time and space needed to analyse their skills and decide which university and course will allow them to reach their full potential.

Will a gap year / career break be right for me?

Anyone considering taking a gap year, should have the desire to do something different. Want a challenge, and a life changing experience, Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others Perhaps you are feel the time is right to take a break from working and challenge yourself to do something different and worthwhile.

Whatever your age, present employment or ambition, a gap year offers you the chance to do something different which may change your life for the better.

Members of the British royal family have taken gap years. Prince William and Harry chose to have a gap year before beginning his university course. He travelled and gained a variety of new experiences. He undertook a number of new activities during his year, including preparing for survival exercises with the Welsh Guards in Belize, working as a volunteer in Chile, working on a dairy farm in the UK and visiting countries in Africa. Prince William said the favourite part of his gap year was working at a dairy farm in the UK as a farm labourer rising before dawn to milk cows and performing “mucky jobs” along with everyone else thus being treated as an equal. Prince Harry impressed by his brothers experience also took part in a gap year in Africa, helping with building works, assisting in a classroom and playing football with village children.

What are the benefits of gap years?

Most universities view a year out positively. Employers echo this and feel that if the time is spent constructively it can enhance a graduate's skills, experience and knowledge. A gap year well spent can open your horizons to a new world whilst improving personal and professional skills and can help shape the direction for a future career.

Gap Years - Potential Drawbacks?

You may find out that time away is not best suited for you. If you are planning on going to university it is highly recommended that you check with the universities and course departments to ensure that a year away is fine with them before you commit yourself as some are not too keen for their prospective students to postpone for a year. As well as learning new skills, experience and making friends some people find it hard to motivate themselves or get lonely and homesick.

Gap Year Volunteering

Volunteering as part of your gap year can provide you with a structured and meaningful gap year experience. Volunteers are usually aged 16+ and come from all over the world. Volunteers usually pay their own way, receive no salaries, and are often both a positive and essential ingredient in the success of projects.

By volunteering you can make a positive impact on a project, person or even change your outlook on the world. Try to get as much information as possible especially from past participants who will be able to give you advice about companies and projects. There are a wide range of volunteering possibilities available, from teaching English, to being part of a community building project you can make a difference to the lives of others while gaining an amazing and rewarding experience for yourself.

Why pay to volunteer?

If you have been researching volunteer organisations you might notice that some of the placements are quite expensive. This is usually because the price includes the admin of setting placements up, air fares, accommodation and back up and support whilst you are away.

These all inclusive voluntourism packages are great for a first time traveller or someone who wishes to gain a unique perspective on a new culture through volunteering. Many trips offer a combination of volunteering with a tour or other activities.

If you are a seasonal traveller, volunteer or have specific skills you also have the option to apply direct to a local project, or NGO where volunteering can be free or low cost. In some cases you can be offered free accomodation or meals in exchange for your time and efforts. If you choose the independant path In this scenario you will often be required to make your own travel arrangements and provisions for your trip.

Considerations

Voluntary work always looks good on your CV as you could gain vital experience which could help you in your future career. Voluntary work can be quite emotionally and physically challenging, while for others it can be a life changing experience.

You don't necessarily have to go abroad to volunteer, there are plenty of opportunities in your native country. Time of year is something to bear in mind, due to climate, time of year companies employ temporary workers and seasonal working.

Some organisations may require you to volunteer for a certain period of time, so be flexible. In a lot of placements you will not need any experience to volunteer, your own interests and skills can be more important than qualifications. You could approach charities or voluntary organisations direct by looking up their details.

Gap Year Work Abroad

Working or studying abroad during a gap year is getting easier all the time as business and educational organisations go global. All it takes is a little planning, the right contacts, some background knowledge and you're on your way.

Gap year jobs can set you off on a new adventure whilst funding it as you go along. Each country has its own educational and qualification system which means that qualifications cannot always be easily used in a different country.

You will need to decide what kind of gap year work you want to do. There are several options including seasonal jobs, permanent work or you could volunteer for work experience. Remember though working abroad isn't like going on holiday, jobs in exotic locations may sound appealing, but in reality you may not even have time to step foot on the beach!

Gap Year Study Abroad

Studying abroad on a gap year is a great way to integrate into a foreign culture, learning a new language, experiencing the cultural differences whilst being a great learning experience. You might find both the academic and social aspect of studying and living abroad a lot more enjoyable if you know the native language. There's no better way to speed up learning a language than to be live with locals in a country.

If you're considering taking a course that's taught in the native language - law or business studies for example, be aware that this can demand a high level of fluency. Consider too, that if you're struggling with the demands of the course it, then struggling with the language may be an extra pressure you could do without.

Gap Year Preparation

If you choose to travel abroad and want to do so independently a lot of preparation and planning will need to go into the trip before setting off. You will need to organise your finances, visas and any vaccinations required for certain countries. It is often best to arrange all gap year volunteer, work and travel placements prior to departure as availability may be limited on arrival.

Fundraising

Last year in the UK more than one million pounds was wasted and was left lying around in bursaries and grants unclaimed. If you live in the UK and are looking to raise money for your trip, go to your local library and ask to view the Directory of Grant Making Trusts. This includes organisations such at the Rotary club and the Round Table which in specific cases may have money available. Useful websites to visit include: www.bmycharity.com and www.justgiving.com.

What you need to think about:

Decide what particular volunteering experience you would like to pursue?
How long do you want to volunteer for?
Do you want to gain experience for a career or just an amazing experience?

Where should I go?

Try to put together a short list of continents and countries you would like to visit and get advice on travel message boards or consult and travel agency.

Some highlights we recomend:

Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu in South America
See the mystical Ayers Rock, Australia
Sunrise at Angkor Watt, Cambodia
Do a jungle trek in northern Thailand etc
Trekking in the Himalaya, Nepal for example
See the big wild animals on safari in Africa
Thrill seeking adventure sports, New Zealand
Experience carnival, Brazil
Walk on the salt flats, Bolivia
Drive route 66, USA
Nearer to home in Britain or Europe
Inter-railing through Europe

Sample Round A Round the World Route

A popular choice for gap year participants is a round the world ticket. With this ticket you can choose which countries you visit, a sample route could be London - Delhi - Bangkok - Sydney - Auckland - Fiji - New York – London, so long as you keep going in the same continual direction.

Accommodation

Research and book accommodation in advance. Sites like hostelworld.com / hostelbookers.com are popular with backpackers.

Guide books can be a helpful but be aware that good places go bad and bad places go bust. A little flexibility and an ear to the travellers grapevine can turn up some real gems.

Be aware that availabilty can be limited especially during events / national holidays so avoid leaving it until the last minute.

If you availabilty is tight, you need to do some legwork to find a bed for the night and you're in a group why not someone stays with luggae at a safe place eg restuarant or internet cafe while others do the rounds. Yomping round a busy place on a boiling hot day with a backpack is no fun at all.

Where you stay can vary enourmously according to your trip type, destination, travel group and budget.

Hostels can be great places for meeting other travellers or getting info.

Homestays can be arranged in many places and are a great way to meet local people and provide insight into a culture. There are websites and organisations to help arranging these.

A little extra cash for the occasional up-market hotel can open a range of options that might provide a memorable highlight during a trip.

Booking Flights

Try to shop around for the best deal for flights, there are a huge range of choices and prices available. If you are travelling round the world it might be an idea to book a flexible ticket which means you can change the itinerary at any time. Be-aware of costs / restrictions in making changes to your ticket and carry contact details for your airline in case your plans do change. Consult a travel agency for more information.

Money / Budget

Carry a variety of payment methods including ATM cards, travellers cheques and cash (local currency and dollars/euros/pounds).

Popular ATM cards (visa, mastercard etc) are accepted worldwide these days but its worth checking in advance as availability of some card types can be problematic. Be aware that cash machines in remote locations can be out of service, out of money and money exchange counters / banks can be closed because of a public holidays. Have a plan b and c in case your primary payment method isn't an option.

If you get stuck worldwide money transfer services (western union) etc can be a lifesaver although there are fees.

Budget

As a rough guide, Asia is probably the cheapest continent to travel; you can survive on an average budget of around £5-10 per day which includes accommodation and food. Australia and New Zealand budget for around £25 per day. In Europe you might need as much as £30 per day. In North America try to budget for around £20 per day whilst in Central and South America you can get by on around £15 per day. USA, European Capitals, Australia, Singapore, Rio de Janerio and the Carribean are places where additional funds will make life easier and increase your range of options although costs can still be kept down by staying in Hostel dorms, travelling overnight and cooking yourself. Consult a guidebook like the lonely planet for advice on costs on your destination.

Travel Insurance

Don’t think about going abroad without travel insurance. When planning a trip insurance might seem like an expensive luxury, but when you are away anything could happen to you or your belongings so it is best to be covered as medical bills could be very costly indeed. If you are taking expensive items eg camera, laptop or planning extreme activities such as skydiving, trekking, climbing etc it is worth investigating specialist cover.

Visas

Once you know which countries you want to visit, check the embassy / foreign office websites for advice about visas, vaccinations, safety and any restrictions.

Advice

Research your destinations thoroughly; get advice from the foreign office (fco.gov.uk)

Be aware to the customs of your host country, try to learn about the laws, customs, sensibilites and appropriate dress code

Make an effort to learn some of the local language - even a few words are often warmly receieved and basic familiarity can make practicalities like travel arrangements, finding directions, ordering food etc much easier. One of the real pleasures of speaking the local language is being able to speak with people - to learn of their lives and share a bit of your own.

What to Pack

Passport, plane tickets, travel insurance, visas, photocopies of important documents such as your passport, basic first aid kit, travellers cheques, contact details, clothes and memories of home to avoid homesickness.

Take several copies of important documents - leave one at home with a family member / friend and store another in a safe place online. That way if you lose everything a trip to the internet cafe or a call home can help get you sorted.

A few suggestions for items to consider taking…

A robust pair of walking boots / trainers / sandals / flipflops, torch, mosquito net, compass, insect repellent, sunglasses, camera, music, a first aid kit, needle cotton and spare buttons for fixing clothes, a blanket for overnight bus journeys, a sheet or sheet sleeping bag for unsavoury stopovers in cheap hotels, a chain and a couple of padlocks to secure luggage, an outer cover/bag for your rucksack to prevent tampering or opening, a small travel alarm for early morning trains / buses...

Most products / brands are available in your destination (or there will be local equivilents) and often things you may require will be cheaper than at home.

Travel light - its much better to aquire additional things rather than being burdened with a heavy, unweildy bag. Shipping stuff home can cost a small fortune.

If at all possible avoid buying heavy / bulky souveneers early in your trip - carry that stone / bronze sculpture for months might not seem like such a good idea after a while.

Dangers / Risks

Watch out for scammers, tourist traps and troublemakers. While the majority of people you will encounter will be kind hearted, generous and hospitable be at least a little skeptical of new "friends" (locals and other travellers) especially if they approach you. Often in Asia these are commission seeking travel agents or touts who will resort to any means (and will not take no for an answer) to get you to stay at their (brother/uncle/friends) hotel, ride in their taxi/rickshaw or buy their excursion at a premium.

Always be on your guard for those who would commit crime against your person or part you from your belongings - travel in groups is a safe option especially at night, in remote places and also in popular tourist locations.

If you participate in drugs be aware that the consequences of your activities can be severe including lengthy jail time often in horrific conditions. Also the cost of your recreational activities or habit extracts a terrible toll on local people who in many instances are forced to endure pollution, violence and exploitation by armed gangs as a result of drug production and trade.

Drinking alcohol can cause offense in certain parts of the world and even in more liberal places intoxication can result in all sorts of problems including lost belongings, accidents or even jail.

"Sexual tourism" or involvement with prostitutes is often exploitative and carries risk of sexually transmitted disease. Avoid.

Be prepared in advance if you are visiting an area experiencing severe political unrest, armed conflict, problems due to the drugs trade or terrorism.

Speak to other travellers to get advice on known risks / scams at your next destination.

Above all, don't be paranoid, human beings can be very generous, hospitable and helpful but do be aware and awake to potential risks.

Arrival Advice

Book your first nights accomodation in advance and check for any festivals or large events that might make availability a problem. Also have an idea about how to get from the airport to your hotel before arriving - arrival in a foreign country can be very confusing especially after a long trans-continental flight.

Take time to acclimatise and to familiarise. Arrival in a new place can be exciting and bewildering. Try if possible to avoid doing too much for the first couple of days. Changes in temperature, altitude and diet will require adjustment. Short walks at altitude, protection from hot sun and dehydration and moderation of diet until the stomach has adjusted to local cuisine can all help ease you into your new adventure.

Speak to people on arrival and to get advice / recommendations. The best tips usually come from people who live in, have visited or currently are travelling in your destination.

Staying in touch

With the advent of the internet (which is widely available worldwide) the world is increasingly well connected and communicating has never been easier.

Set up an free web based e-mail account eg hotmail, gmail, yahoo etc
Get an internet phone account with Skype which is widely available at internet cafes
Get a local SIM card for your mobile
Use social network websites eg facebook
Create a blog and document your journey and the people you meet