Taking a gap year has increasingly become more popular. Whether it be after leaving school, post-graduation, or on a sabbatical during your working career; a gap year is a great way to help the transition into your next adventure. It is a time to not only recharge and refocus but also to allow you to learn more about yourself on your own terms.
There is no right or wrong gap year. The most important thing is to make sure you don’t follow the crowd, rather taking the time to do something that you believe will benefit you.
A gap year offers you the opportunity to gather skills and experiences while giving you time to reflect and focus on what you want to do next. Having completed one myself, I would recommend the experience to everyone.
- Travel the world
The most popular gap year is to travel and explore popular destinations such as South-East Asia or South America. With this, the world really is your oyster, traveling gives you a unique opportunity to explore the world, experience beautiful scenery and broaden your horizons. It is once in a lifetime opportunity to switch off your phone and live a more stress-free, simplistic lifestyle.
- Work in Australia
If you have a UK passport you can now get an Australian working visa for 2-3 years that lasts until you are 35 years old. This allows you to work any job in the country and gives you the opportunity to boost your CV while exploring a new country.
- Volunteer Abroad
Volunteering is a great way to spend a gap year and is incredibly rewarding. Volunteering provides you with a new set of skills, helps to build your confidence as well as providing a positive impact on other peoples lives. There are a number of avenues for volunteering abroad; teaching in schools, conservation movements as well as helping with crucial community renovation.
- Learn a language
The ability to speak another language is a huge benefit for both yourself and your career. Becoming multilingual by living abroad and immersing yourself in a different dialect and culture will boost your CV and widen the pool of jobs you will be able to apply for.
