What advice would you give to your younger self? It’s a question asked of many celebrities, in many a job interview and even on dates. I’ve been asked the question countless times (no, I’m not a celebrity!) and my answer is always the same “take a gap year”. I did one in 2014, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made!
If you’re unsure about what you want to do after college or even high school then taking a gap year is the perfect opportunity to reassess how you you want your life to pan out. As a travel-lover, my top advice is to go traveling during your gap year as that way you’ll open yourself up to new experiences, meet new friends and thus, gain heaps of confidence in the process.
So, what is a gap year? To put it simply, it’s a break taken by students to explore their interests, travel, or gain work experience. Many see it is a chance to work on personal growth, seek new learning opportunities, and gain new perspectives before continuing on their academic journey.
But, how can you make the most out of your gap year? As someone who’s taken a gap year after college, in this blog post, I will share my top tips that will assist you in having the best experience.
But, first a question…
If you had the chance to take a year off to do whatever you wanted, would you choose to:
A) Spend it relaxing at home
B) Use the time to gain work experience and do internships
C) Travel the world and explore new cultures
To me, the answer is straightforward (it’s C by the way!) However, it’s important to mention that everyone’s finances and situations are different. So, although one person may be able to take a whole year off some people may only be able to take a month off!
Related Read: Our worst travel experiences from over 10 years on the road!
Staying Connected During Your Gap Year
Regardless of what you choose to do on your gap year, it’s important that you prioritize staying connected with your friends and family. And you might meet like-minded people on your travels or professional connections during your year off that you will want to contact when you get home.
Back to friends and family, you should reach out to them regardless of where you are in the world. As they’re likely to worry, especially your parents and grandparents (I know mine did). So, what’s the best messaging app you can use to keep in touch? There are lots! So, do your research. Handily, there are a few messaging apps, which allow you to send text messages, voice notes, and videos.
Top Tips on How to Have the Best Gap Year Ever
Before giving you my gap year advice, let me break a few things down for you first. If you’re an overthinker like me, then you might be struggling with the concept of taking a year off.
Will you spend all your savings? Will you never get back on track academically? Or will you struggle to find a job because of the gap on your resume!
You are not alone in your concerns. I had them too, and honestly everything worked out great in the end. In fact, I believe traveling has made me a better person and given me more drive to excel in my career.
Would you believe that according to the Gap Year Association, there are around 40,000 citizens who take a gap year every year. So, don’t fret. The tips below will help guide you through the process.
1. Set clear goals
I don’t advise diving into your gap year without having a general idea of what you’re going to do. Hence, before you take some time off – determine what you want to achieve. Is it traveling, learning a new language, or gaining work experience? Having a general plan of action in your mind, and preferably written out on paper, will help you strive to achieve something during your gap year instead of just sitting around watching Netflix.
2. Create a budget
It is critical to manage and plan your finances before you travel. You want to avoid running out of money halfway through the year. As a general rule of thumb, I advise budgeting to spend $40 a day traveling. That will go a long way in ‘cheaper’ countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, El Salvador etc. but likely won’t get you far in more expensive cities like Queenstown, New Zealand.
So, if you have limited savings you may need to reconsider your travel plans. If you’re on a budget – stick to Southeast Asia.
Another good idea is to find a short-term job as you travel, whether it is in a fast-food chain or a freelancing gig. Doing a working holiday visa in countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand is another great way to do a gap year.
3. Plan your itinerary
Before you go do some research and write down expected accommodation costs, food costs, and the price of any activities you want to do in a new destination. That way, you’ll know if you can afford it before you go!
Let’s say you’re planning to travel to Barcelona for a week. You should look at hotel or hostel prices, the cost of a meal in a restaurant and the price of any activities you want to do, like surfing.
Also keep an eye if any events are planned for your proposed dates that may skyrocket the prices for example, in Barcelona the solstice on Sant Joan or Christmas time (when they have amazing light displays) can be expensive times to visit.
4. Stay flexible
Okay, okay. I know I emphasized the importance of advance planning and having a general idea of what you want to do in a new destination. However, it’s also super-important to be flexible when traveling.
Being relaxed and open to new experiences means that you can take advantage of unexpected chances that may pop up. What’s that saying again – the best moments are unplanned. So, live in the present as you travel and be open to changing your ideas as you go. That way, you can delve into the local culture and interact with people on a deeper level.
5. Learn a new language
Seeing as you have a whole year off, why not consider learning a new language. There are many top recommended languages to learn right now. And knowing another language will help you find work opportunities and even scholarships.
While it might be a little intimidating and you may think it’s a waste of time, learning a new language is sure to enhance your travel experiences. And it will definitely help you connect with locals.
6. Volunteer or work
As I mentioned earlier, a gap year may involve needing to work to support yourself financially. There are many easy-ish jobs that you can take on as you travel from working at a coffee shop to serving in a restaurant.
You could also consider a volunteering position. Some volunteering opportunities allow you to travel to a new country while working with people in need.
Thanks for Reading!
If you are confused and overthinking what to do this next, I hope this blog post has helped you see some sense as to what you should do next. I’m all for taking a gap year – not only will you learn new skills while you fugure out what to do with your life but you’ll likely gain confidence and new friends along the way!
You may also enjoy reading –
12 Cheapest Travel Destinations You Must Visit
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Excuses You’re Using Not to Travel
Last Updated on August 10, 2024 by snaphappytravel