Gap Year Guide
What is a gap year?
Gap years are a great way for young people to gain new experiences before attending university or entering the job market. Gap years are typically taken by young people but are becoming increasingly popular with people wishing to take a career break and with newly retired people looking to travel.
There is no such thing as a typical gap year often people take them as a kind of working holiday. You may want to undertake manual work in the form of grape harvesting in Tuscany or cattle ranching in Argentina. Or something academic such as teaching English in Japanese High Schools. You may be looking for an athletic challenge, perhaps teaching rugby in Fiji. Or helping a conservation project on the Galapagos Islands. Whatever you would like to do on your gap year, there are myriad opportunities available.
Don't expect to make a lot of money on your travels. Gap years are often more about gaining life experiences rather than financial rewards.
Benefits of taking a gap year
The main benefit of a gap year is the experience. You will get to see local customs and cultures of the place or places you travel to. You will have the opportunity to experience things that most people would never be able to.
A gap year is also quite an economical way of spending an extended period of time abroad as lots of gap work placements and courses are part subsidised by the organiser. They may pay towards the cost of your flight, accommodation and even food.
When it comes to your CV, a gap year can look very attractive to potential employers or universities. Team-building and social skills are something that all employers place value in. You will probably find that you also benefit through personal development; gaining confidence, independence, initiative and maturity.
Cost of a gap year
The cost of a gap year can vary enormously. As mentioned above, you may find a very economical way of taking a year out with subsidised travel or accommodation, but you shouldn't count on this and should budget wisely. Obviously the cost of a flight to a remote Pacific Island is going to be higher than one to the South of France, and don't forget the additional costs - a backpack, walking boots, waterproof clothing,
Before you go
Check visas, work permits and passports
The obvious piece of advice and the one that so many people forget or leave too late. If you need a passport, apply for one as soon as you can because they can take a while to be processed, especially at peak times. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. Leave photocopies of your passport with family in the UK. You should also check that you have all the correct visas and work permits as some counties require them, especially if you are going to be working.
Insurance
Do make sure you have good travel and medical insurance before heading off on your gap year. Insurance policies vary a great deal so ensure you get the type of cover that suits the type of work and travelling that you will be doing. Shop around and take advice. As well as not being able to claim back the cost of any valuables that are stolen, travelling without insurance means you could have to meet the costs of any medical treatment you may require. Not all countries have free health care.
Medical advice
Quite a few destinations around the world require inoculations against diseases. A visit to your GP before you depart is essential to find out what jabs you may need. Also ensure that you take any prescribed medicine you may need, as you may not be able to obtain it while you are abroad.
Preparation
Part of being prepared for your gap year is having a bit of knowledge about the place that you are travelling to. Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for useful information about the places you are travelling to. There are also a wide range of travel guides and specialist gap year travel guides. A guidebook cannot give you the intimate knowledge about a place that you will learn about once you get there, but having an idea of the local area will give you an advantage. If you can speak at least a little of the language of the place that you are travelling to then you will find it a huge advantage. Being able to communicate with local people makes so much more of your experience.
Money
It is vital that you set yourself a realistic budget. Work out how much it is going to cost you to eat, sleep and live on your travels. Also ensure that you have enough funds for the return journey. If you are flying, booking an air ticket that gives you some flexibility on your return date is a good idea. You may decide to extend your journey, but you may also run out of funds and have to return earlier than planned.
While you are travelling
Alcohol and Drugs
There aren't many places in the world where drugs are legal, and some have much tougher penalties than the UK. Don't let your bags out of sight, especially at ports and airports. The rules on the consumption of alcohol are also something you should be aware of. It could also affect any insurance claims you have to make.
Keep in contact
Make sure your family and friends know where you are travelling to. If you change your plans while you are on your gap year, try to communicate those changes. Apart from giving them peace of mind it can also be useful if something goes wrong. At least someone will know where you are.
Protecting valuables
While travelling make sure you have your valuable items on your person. Don't leave any luggage unattended or with someone you don’t know. Watch out for pickpockets, especially in crowds and at stations and airports. And keep copies of important documents like health cards, passports, tickets and insurance documents.