Many parents either think of - or remember - gap years as being an excuse to party for twelve months somewhere on the other side of the world, well out of sight of their parents. Times, though, have changed because these days people are considering a gap year as an investment in their future as something to make their CV much more interesting than those of other people applying for the same job ... or as a chance to gain some experience of working within their chosen field before going back home and starting the hunt for a job. But then again, many people who've been working for years decide to take a year off and see the world while they can. It might be tempting to pack a back, grab your passport and jump onto the first flight out of the airport nearest to you, but before you start off on your gap year, you need to do a bit of preparation.
You'll need to do as much research as possible, and that includes talking to people who've been on a gap year... making a list of destinations you'd like to visit (and a list of ones you want to avoid)... reading up all about the countries you're planning on visiting - including any visas and medical requirements like inoculations... and thinking about what you want to do when you actually arrive.
There are companies that specialise in organising gap year travel and work assignments around the world. These are well worth looking into because you could find yourself doing something you never, ever thought you would do, like teaching English in Bolivia or helping to build a school in the Gambia. So your gap year could not only be an adventure, but the work you do could go some way towards funding it. After all, travelling these days is quite an expensive form of entertainment and the more ways you can find to raise a bit of extra cash, the better.
After all, you could always entertain your dinner party companions with stories about how you were broke and starving in a country you'd never even heard of previously, somewhere on the other side of the world and it would make for an interesting evening. On the other hand, it's not that much fun at the time, so however much money you take with you, and however much money you earn while you're away, you'll need to set yourself a realistic budget - and stick to it.
One major factor influencing your decision to take a gap year would be how open-minded you are: can you cope with culture shock - and we're not just talking about a two-week package holiday at a nice, safe hotel. Could you cope with finding yourself completely alone in a country where nobody speaks your language and, let's say, you've got to find yourself a doctor? If the answer to that question is yes, then it's pretty clear that you can look after yourself well enough to enjoy a gap year experience. If, though, just the thought of having to sort out an emergency in a foreign country makes you nervous, then perhaps right now isn't the best time to start planning your gap year.
You'll need to do as much research as possible, and that includes talking to people who've been on a gap year... making a list of destinations you'd like to visit (and a list of ones you want to avoid)... reading up all about the countries you're planning on visiting - including any visas and medical requirements like inoculations... and thinking about what you want to do when you actually arrive.
There are companies that specialise in organising gap year travel and work assignments around the world. These are well worth looking into because you could find yourself doing something you never, ever thought you would do, like teaching English in Bolivia or helping to build a school in the Gambia. So your gap year could not only be an adventure, but the work you do could go some way towards funding it. After all, travelling these days is quite an expensive form of entertainment and the more ways you can find to raise a bit of extra cash, the better.
After all, you could always entertain your dinner party companions with stories about how you were broke and starving in a country you'd never even heard of previously, somewhere on the other side of the world and it would make for an interesting evening. On the other hand, it's not that much fun at the time, so however much money you take with you, and however much money you earn while you're away, you'll need to set yourself a realistic budget - and stick to it.
One major factor influencing your decision to take a gap year would be how open-minded you are: can you cope with culture shock - and we're not just talking about a two-week package holiday at a nice, safe hotel. Could you cope with finding yourself completely alone in a country where nobody speaks your language and, let's say, you've got to find yourself a doctor? If the answer to that question is yes, then it's pretty clear that you can look after yourself well enough to enjoy a gap year experience. If, though, just the thought of having to sort out an emergency in a foreign country makes you nervous, then perhaps right now isn't the best time to start planning your gap year.
About the Author:
Thought about going on an expedition, or looking for various apprenticeship positions, jobs & offers: visit notgoingtouni.co.uk. Find details of how to get work experience. Also find information on what to do before university.
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