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A
gap
year or year
out is a break from study or work that can last
from three months to one year. People of all ages
take gap
years, many young people tend to take a gap
year following their A levels and before going
to University.
The
year out can involve time abroad to work or travel,
or a period of work and travel in your native country
either independently or with one of the many organisations
who allow you to volunteer or work abroad.
Once
you have finished working at a summer camp, why not
travel and see the world? Visit our partner website
gap
year worldwide and find volunteer
placements, jobs and travel advice.
Browse
BUNAC gap year placements
Visit
Gap Year Worldwide
TEFL
Courses and Teaching Worldwide
Seasonal
Jobs - Summer and Winter Jobs
Gap
Year Directory with Work and Volunteer placements
Accommodation
If
you are going travelling you might need to book
accommodation in advance, we have teamed up with
Hostelbookers and can now find worldwide.
Thinking
of planning a diverse gap
year?
Taking a break from studying or a job?
Don't just dream it. Do it!
What
is a gap
year?
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.
Gap
Year Potential Drawbacks?
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
Working
or studying
abroad during a gap
year 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.
Gap
year jobs 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 gap
year 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!
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.
Browse our gap
year studying opportunities.
Gap
Year Preparation
Sample
Round The World Route
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.
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