Thinking
of planning a diverse gap year?
Taking a break from studying or a job?
Don't just dream it. Do it!
A
gap year is a break from study or work that usually
lasts three months to one year. People of all ages take
gap years, many young people in the UK tend to take
a gap year following college or university. Browse popular
gap year placements.
Why
taking a gap year could be a good idea:
·
It improves confidence and broadens your personal
experience
· It demonstrates that you have a proactive, inquiring
nature
· It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in another
culture
· Possibly become fluent in another language.
· It can improve your chances of employment
Why
people take a gap year
By
the time most students have been to college, the
average eighteen-year-old has spent most of their
life in full-time education. With increasing pressures
in working education it is no shock that a growing
number of students and non student a like are
choosing to take a break. For
many, a year out can provide the time and space
needed to analyse their skills and decide which
university and course will allow them to reach
their full potential.
Most
universities view a year out positively. Employers echo
this and feel that if the time is spent constructively
it can enhance a graduate's skills and knowledge. A
gap year well spent can open your horizons to a new
world whilst improve personal and professional skills
and can help shape the direction for a future career.
You
may find out that time away is not best suited for you.
If you are planning on going to university it is highly
recommended that you check with the universities and
course departments to ensure that a year away is ok
as some are not too keen for their prospective students
to disappear for a year.
Planning
a gap year
Are
you planning a gap year but are unsure what to do? View
our recommended placements
which will help you have a meaningful time abroad.
Volunteering
Volunteering
can provide you with a structured and meaningful gap
year experience. Browse our website and you will be
able to find gap year volunteer
placements, find a gap year company in our gap
year volunteer directory.
Working
Abroad
Working
or studying abroad
is getting easier all the time as business and educational
organisations go global. All it takes is a little
planning, the right contacts, some background knowledge
and you're on your way.
Working
abroad can set you off on a new adventure whilst funding
it as you go along. Each country has its own educational
and qualification system which means that qualifications
cannot always be easily used in a different country.
You
will need to decide what kind of work you want to
do. There are several options including seasonal
jobs, permanent work
or you could volunteer
for work experience. Remember though working abroad
isn't like going on holiday, jobs in exotic locations
may sound appealing, but in reality you may not even
have time to step foot on the beach!
Featured
Gap Year Operators
Studying
Abroad
You
might find both the academic and social aspect of
studying and living
abroad a lot more enjoyable if you know the
native language. There's no better way to speed
up learning a language than to be totally immersed
in it.
If
you're considering taking a course that's taught
in the native language - law for example, be
aware that this can demand a high level of fluency.
Consider too, that if you're struggling with
the demands of the course itself, then struggling
with the language may be an extra pressure you
could do without.
A
popular choice for gap year participants is a round
the world ticket. With this ticket you can choose which
countries you visit, a sample routh could be London
- Delhi - Bangkok - Sydney - Auckland - Fiji - New York
- London.
Fundraising
Last
year in the UK more than one million pounds was wasted
and was left lying around in bursaries and grants unclaimed.
If you live in the UK and are looking to raise money for
your trip, go to your local library and ask to view the
Directory of Grant Making Trusts. This
lists organisations such at the Rotary club and the Round
Table which in specific cases have money available. Useful
websites to visit include: www.bmycharity.com
and
www.justgiving.com.
|
|
|
