What is a GAP year?

A GAP year or year out is an extended holiday,break from work or education traditionally taken between Sixth Form and Uni. Working abroad,volunteering or just travelling round the world.However Its not just teenagers who take GAP years or extended breaks and they are becoming more popular with all ages. People often choose to work abroad or volunteer abroad to add focus to there travels and this is particuarly good if travelling alone. Organisations such as BUNAC and Camp Americaprovide work opportunities.
Whereas Operation Raleigh runs conservation and volunteering opportunities around the world.

After school GAP at 18

There is 15 months between finishing exams and starting your HE course if you take year out. You can apply for your course but defer your entry until the following year. Many would be students choose to travel over the long summer break- around 3 months- which gives plenty of time to have an adventure. Money is often a consideration and tavelling is funded through working,fundraising,sponsorship,savings or family help.

The average cost of a year out is somewhere between £3000-5000 , these seems a lot of money but with planning ahead by workng,saving,fund raising and applying for travel bursaries/grants. Directory of grant making trusts available in our local library.

You can join an organised programme which will sort out work and visas for you, join organised trips as you travel or just head off independently. Staying safe is of course a priority and you must research your destinations thoroughly. Insurance is also a must , and you must make sure it covers all the activities you are planning to do - even impulsive ones such as "bungee jumping".

There are benefits to taking some time out after the pressures of the British exam system . It gives you some space to breath and give study a break, a chance to become independent,confident and see something of life away from a textbook and lectures. Australia,Canada and New Zealand have a working holiday visa scheme which is a good way to travel and work. It can improve your Uni application if you are waiting to get your results before you apply. You stand less chance of dropping out.

A career break

Within the current economic climate redundancy for some can open up a positivie opportunity to travel and take a break .Of course this is not the case for all and mortgages have to be paid etc. but for some this is an opportunity to rent the house out and take off perhaps to have the adventure they didn't have when they were younger. Some professions may allow you to take a sabbatical,where you take unpaid leave but return to your job, Check with your employer about taking a break.

Retirement GAP

Who says GAP breals are for the under 30s. The kids have left home and are busy with their lives,the mortgage is paid off so take some time to escape endless antique programmes and bowls! A cruise may be your thing , trekking in the Himalayas or a grand tour of renaissance Italy. The world has plenty to offer the more mature traveller