Gap years are becoming an increasingly popular option for students and career breakers looking to relax, learn, and develop in a new environment.. But coming up with gap year ideas can be tough, and you may be asking yourself: is a gap year a good idea? What would I even do?
Remember, there are no rules on a gap year. Going abroad for your cap year can help teach vital skills and provide lifelong memories, but you don’t need to travel for the whole thing. ! No matter how long you go for, we think gap years are a valuable experience for anyone.
Continuing in a job you don’t enjoy or committing to a degree you’re unsure about could burn you out… so why not take the opportunity to do something totally different??
So what exactly could you do? Well, read on to find out!
1) Immerse in a new culture
Gap years and travelling often go hand-in-hand. It’s a popular choice, and for good reason. Travelling is a learning experience, giving you the chance to discover new cultures, languages, ideas, history, and more — all part of developing a global mindset.
By exploring new cultures and lived experiences, you open yourself up to new ways of thinking. This could include something as simple as learning new crafts or cooking new recipes, but could go as far as adapting your daily schedule to implement meditation or changing the time at which you eat dinner.
There’s a lot more to a country’s culture than just how people act on a daily basis or the language they speak. By pushing past your comfort zone and experiencing life somewhere else first-hand, you might find a whole new way of life that speaks to you.
All of our projects involve aspects of cultural immersion, from simply spending an extended amount of time within a nation to staying with a local host family.
2) Learn new skills
When coming up with gap year ideas, volunteering is something that often goes under the radar. However, not only can it be incredibly rewarding for you and the community you work in, but it can also be an exciting and worthwhile learning experience.
You’ll contribute to the initiatives and success of local communities, learn new skills, make friends, and increase your confidence. It will also be an excellent way to see new parts of the world and gain new perspectives on global issues.
Any volunteer experience will force you to step outside your comfort zone, build your confidence, and develop independence. Depending on what you do, you may also get practical skills in the field that you care about and one day want to work in. Both of these are incredibly valuable when applying and interviewing for jobs in future.
Make sure you choose a volunteering project on your gap year that you’re passionate about, like Childcare, Conservation, Building, or any of our other volunteer abroad opportunities.
3) Boost your CV with an internship abroad
Another way to spend your gap year is by gaining practical work experience in the field you are interested in. This will help you stand out during the application process for university or your first few jobs.
This experience will be tailored to help you develop the skills and experience you need to be competitive in your field. Depending on your choice of programme, you may be able to pick your specialisms or departments to really hone in on what you’re most passionate about.
We provide a variety of internships including Medicine & Healthcare, Law & Human Rights, Journalism, and more. This experience will provide you with skills and confidence you need to benefit you in your studies or career.
Plus, working abroad will develop other core personal skills, including your adaptability, communication, and self belief. You’ll also have some great stories to add to your CV or draw on in job interviews.
4) Learn a language
It’s a fact that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it entirely. At home, this might be studying from a textbook, listening to music, using language learning or exchange apps, and watching TV.
Travelling gives you the ability to be surrounded by that language without you having to search for it. You’ll use it interacting with the locals, through advertisements, on street signs, on public transport, in cafes and restaurants – the list goes on.
A language is easier to learn when you actually use it every day, and learning a language, like Spanish, will benefit anyone looking to improve their CV. Plus, a second language is an incredibly useful tool to have.
A gap year is the perfect time to get extended exposure to a language that you are passionate about, and could help you learn better and faster than anything you’ve tried before.
5) Try new things
What is a gap year for if not taking a leap and trying things you might never have done otherwise? Being scared about something new lasts until you do it; you’ll be surprised how easy it feels once you’ve done it.
Many people travel alone for the first time with Projects Abroad. It can be scary, heading to the other side of the world on your own, but knowing that our support network is always there gives many people the confidence they need.
We offer bespoke gap programmes lasting 4-10 weeks specifically for people aged 17 to 24, designed to provide an immersive and supported travel experience.
Our expert guides will teach you about a region’s history, culture, and traditions, while taking you to the hidden places many tourists never see. You’ll also join up with other participants from around the world, giving you the chance to build bonds and make friends that will last a lifetime.
These specially crafted gap year trips give you completely new perspectives and experiences. You can even combine them all together into one truly unforgettable global gap year.
“I would recommend it 100%, because you see so many parts of the world and experience so many adventures. You meet a lot of locals and get to know everyone in your group with each their own background and culture. You can learn so much from all of them. If you’re in for the adventure, you should go for it.” – Mandy J, Global Gap volunteer
Whatever you do, enjoy your gap year
There is no good or bad way to spend your gap year. It is your reward for working hard and your chance to explore the world at your own pace.
Just bear in mind that employers may want to know how you spent your time off. Volunteer work, knowledge of a second language, travel, and work experience are all valuable additions to a CV and excellent to talk about in an interview.
If you’re on the fence about booking, just ask yourself — when will you have the time to do something like this again?
Now that you’ve got some gap year ideas, it’s time to start thinking about planning your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Luckily, we’ve produced a blog to help with that, too!
Alternatively, get in touch with a Project Expert to start discussing your requirements below; we’re sure we have the perfect project for you.