Are you thinking about taking a year off to explore the world, make memories, and build your resume? Well, you’re here right now, so you must be wondering how to take a gap year, and how exactly they work. You yearn to get away and to have the time to explore. You know you want time out of education and maybe even your career, but you want to use this period fruitfully, right?

Fruitful can mean seeing incredible, life-changing sights!

While the usual time to take a gap year is between high school and college, there really is nothing stopping you from going at any time. Life should be about adventure! It should also be about seeking this adventure sensibly and within safe boundaries.

We’ll help you learn more about how gap years work, how to take a gap year, if they’re a good idea, where you should go, and more. 

Is a gap year a good idea?

We’ll start with the obvious: YES! The less obvious: Yes, as long as you spend your time wisely and set goals. A gap year is time away from the conveyor belt of your education and career. Most people take this time off between high school and college (although taking a year after college is becoming more popular), and many choose to use the time to travel.

However, this is not the only reason to take a gap year. You may want to use a gap year to work and save money to enhance your university life and gain some real-world experience. Or you might use the time to learn new skills or take an apprenticeship, so you have something practical alongside your academic studies.

So, if you have a sound desire to do something that will benefit your long-term goals, whether professional or academic, then a gap year is a great idea! Travel will help you grow up and offer experiences that broaden your cultural awareness.

What do you want to achieve on a gap year?

How gap years work

Basically, gap years work how you want them to work. There is no right or wrong way to do it. You can choose from some of the best destinations for gap years, like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, and figure out what you want to do when you get there! However, your gap year will go a lot more smoothly if you take some time to get organized and be proactive. Thus, we recommend you start by planning your gap year.

While fun and spontaneity should be a part of every gap year, you still need to create a framework that will make the experience worthwhile. To do this, ask yourself some high-level questions, such as:

• Why do you want to take a gap year?
• Where will you go?
• How will you pay for it?
• How are you going to make the most of your time?
• Where will you live?

Once you have some ideas in place, share these with your friends and family. Or maybe someone you know has done a gap year and will have plenty of advice to offer. Talking to post-gappers will be helpful, since they know where it can go wrong. It’s always good to listen.

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How to take a gap year

Let us break down how to take a gap year into bite-size chunks; you’ll be surprised how simple it is!

1. Decide when the right time is

During high school? Taking a year during high school can definitely limit your options. Many parents would be uncomfortable with a 16-year-old traveling independently for any distance or length of time. Luckily, there are lots of reputable (and worthwhile) programs that your parents would be happy to send you on! 

After high school? This, and after college, is the most common time to take a gap year. You are old enough to be independent, and you don’t risk getting stuck on a career conveyor belt.

After college? This is becoming a more commonplace timeframe to take a gap year. It’s a great opportunity to get out into the world and test (and strengthen!) the skills you learned during college, especially if you pursued an internationally-focused degree.

A career break? Career breaks or sabbaticals may be challenging to organize, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to go abroad for an entire year. (Plus, you could work remotely nowadays!) You could always request just a month or so to fulfill your travel dreams.

The location you choose for a gap year can shape your whole experience.

2. Choose where to go

While you can go anywhere you choose, some countries are friendlier to gap year travel than others. Countries such as New Zealand and Australia are set up to cater to young backpackers taking a year “off”. You will find people willing to take you on for seasonal work, or at hostels where you can work part-time for full-time accommodation.

If you have a little extra cash to burn, Europe is a common gap year destination due to the accessible train system and simplicity in crossing borders.

3. Browse programs

If you are super confident and happy to buy tickets wherever you heart desires, then you can go it alone. However, you might find more purpose and achieve your goals more fully if you sign up for a structured gap year program.

For instance, you could go somewhere to earn TEFL certification, or you could take some time aboard a boat at sea. Equally, there might be internships in companies abroad that could make your CV zing. Explore gap year programs and you will be awed by all the potential experiences out there.

4. Set goals

A gap year could become a wasted year if you have no idea what you want to get out of it. Imagine you are sat in a future interview explaining what this year did for you. Think about your goals so that you can more effectively make the most of your gap year!

Setting goals just means structured dreaming. Map out your perfect itinerary, or what experiences you’re keen to have, or where exactly you want to have those experiences. However, keep in mind that travel always goes more smoothly when you’re expecting the unexpected; in other words, things don’t always go to plan.

5. Get your gear

Go hands-free on your gap year with a trusty backpack.

Okay. We have done the daydreaming. We now need some practicality. If you’re going to spend the year backpacking, then you’re going to need a backpack—and you will need to pack that backpack.

For instance, pack some practical clothes that can serve multiple purposes (you don’t want to lug your entire wardrobe around with you!). You might also need a solar charger and travel adapters, a lock for your bag, a flashlight, a sleeping bag liner (if you’re going the outdoorsy route), a personal safety alarm, travel towel, essential meds, and an international calling card.

6. Apply for your visa and book your flight

Remember, you cannot just turn up in some places on a whim. Most places need a visa on entry—and this is another reason to do a bit of planning. Applying for a visa means sending an application to an embassy or visiting the embassy in person. This sounds a lot scarier than it is; just be sure to apply at least three months prior to your planned departure. Then, book your flights!

Explore ALL gap year programs on GoAbroad.com

Ready for your gap year?

Remember, you can take a gap year anytime and it does not have to be a whole year (it might even be more than a year). If you are taking time off between school and university, then it’s a good idea to defer your university acceptance. You can apply to university and ask to start a year later; it’s common for universities to have a place for this on the application form.

A gap year can be the best thing you will ever do with your life—especially if you have a clear idea of what you want to get out of it. Remember to do some dreaming and internet searching to get those plans clear and then go for it. You only live once, right?

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