Benefits of a Gap Year
What it is, why they're good & the outcomesA productive gap year helps a young person to decide what they want to do. It also helps with their university, apprenticeship or job application process. Purposeful gap years demonstrate skills and a willingness to challenge yourself and is invariably an engaging topic of conversation during interviews.
Volunteering, training, working and learning during a gap year builds life experience. This helps young people develop a sense of local and global citizenship and and empathy with diverse cultures.
A gap year is…
A ‘gap year’ or simply a ‘gap’ is a period of time between school and college or college and employment. It gives young people a valuable and challenging learning experience, though many older people are now also deciding to book a gap experience. Travel will enrich your life, broadening your view of the world and those around you. It is also, of course, great fun.
Shorter programmes are gaining in popularity. You don’t necessarily have to take a full year out to enjoy a gap experience.
Most bookings with our members are now from people based outside the UK. Be sure to plan ahead to ensure you get on your preferred choice of programme.
Gap years are good because…
Carrying out structured tasks or learning a new skill in a new and different culture and community, maximises the use of time between school and university. This helps to develop some of the life skills that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Think of it as an additional year of ‘education for life’ and as time-out, not time off. It’s also an opportunity to reflect, be mindful and re-energise.
Families can travel together and for some it opens up a new career, or a second career after retirement.
Gap year outcomes…
Returned gap travellers and those who have gapped nearer home tell us that a well-structured experience adds real value to their sense of achievement and confidence.
Research shows that structured programmes offer the opportunity to develop a sense of independence. They feel better able to focus on what they want to do next.
A gap year out of mainstream education helps young people discover a skill or a passion for something they had never considered studying before. They now find have a skill they can use to earn money during holidays (e.g. instructing or teaching).
