Gap Year Ideas
Taking a gap year is a great chance to gain more independence, broaden your horizons, acquire new skills and build your CV. But the massive choice of activities, destinations and gap year organisations can be overwhelming.
Here we give a quick run down on some top ways to spend your gap year, along with tips on how to get the most out of your time.
Volunteer on a charity project
Volunteering can be a rewarding way to spend your gap year as long as you choose a project that you believe is actively benefiting the local environment and its communities.
From conservation to community projects, there is a tremendous variety of projects out there to choose from, in destinations across the world. Find out from some of the aid agen
cies that are working in areas where climate change and global warming are having terrible effects on communities.
But before you sign up for anything, find out as much as you can about the organisation; the integrity of some agencies has been under question in recent years. Is it charity or profit-making? How much support will you receive from them, both before you leave and while you’re abroad?
Placements can be expensive so you need to make sure you get value for money and that it’s benefiting you as well as the host community.
Get a job during your gap year
If you’d like to work during your gap year, there is a wide range of seasonal a
nd temporary jobs available, from ski resort chalet and bar staff in France, to summer camp counsellors and sports instructors in Europe and the USA.
Many resorts have opportunities for car hire reps who both meet and greet new arrivals. Car hire work invlolves delivery, cleaning and preparation of hire cars – obviously a clean driving license is essential
Fruit-picking is very seasonal, and wages tend to be low, but it can be sociable. Au pair work is great for those with some childcare experience, while office work is generally better paid but usually more formal.
The Overseas Job Centre provides an extensive directory of employers in every sector for those looking to work abroad.
If the thought of organising your job, flights and accommodation all seems a bit daunting, there are some organisations that can do this for you, such as BUNAC – although obviously they charge a fee for doing this. If you decide to use an organisation like this, read up about them first and don’t hand over any money until you have accepted a job in writing.
Teach abroad
Another option is to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), which can be a fulfilling way of earning while you’re living abroad.
It’s possible to get a job without any formal qualifications in some countries, but to work at a reputable establishment offering a decent wage you’ll need a recognised qualification. TEFL and CELTA are the most highly respected, with intensive training lasting about four weeks, equipping you with the knowledge and skills required for entry-level teaching. The qualifications are internationally recognised so you can work practically anywhere. Course fees depend on where you train, with accredited centres across the world — but usually cost around £1500.
Enjoy an active gap year
If you’re into sports, there are stacks of opportunities for an active gap year.
A popular choice is to train to become an instructor in a particular sport such as skiing or snowboarding, watersports, or mountain sports. If you want to go on to instruct professionally, make sure the course you choose provides you with an internationally recognised qualification at the end.
Be a Mystery Shopper
Retail market research requires the expeiences of people from all walks of life and students can give invaluable feedback from shopping trips where they can be assesing customer service department stores and banks, shelf displays for leading designer brands and perfume houses or generally providing price comparison advice to retailers
Get work experience
If you’d like to gain valuable work experience in a particular sector, you could apply for a work experience placement. If you secure a placement within a well-respected company it could give you a real advantage when it comes to finding a job after University.
Go backpacking
If you have savings, an exciting gap year option is to embark on a round-the-world trip, or go InterRailing in Europe. Travel agencies such as STA Travel specialise in youth and student travel, and can help you plan your routes and book tickets.
