gap year, career break and responsible travel specialists. paid work and volunteer projects last 1-52 weeks in one of 26 diverse countries.
taking a gap year between high school and college was an integral part of my journey to college, and it could be a part of yours as well!
if your university ideas didn’t go to plan, you still have options, like taking a gap year or going through clearing. could either of these work for you?
during these uncertain times, more and more people are considering taking a gap year. kaya can help you plan and make the most of your decision to go abroad.
how to plan my gap year - navigate post-school or college life with confidence with careermap's list of resources for school leavers.
for many, heading straight to college and then into the working world is seen as the best way forward. but what if a break during this time — in particular, a gap year before college — can help reduce stress and burnout, improve your academics and leadership down the road, and help you find your true purpose? research and interviews with people who have taken gap years demonstrate its promise, and practical advice about the logistics of taking a gap year can help you decide if it’s the right path for you.
travel, volunteerism, language study—if you’re wondering what to do in a gap year, you have options. check out our guide on how to spend a gap year.
taking time out before your degree course can give you a chance to further develop your skills, build your application and experience, increase your...
what is a gap year? faq programs and ideas gap year every year as convocation approaches, the question of what to do next understandably looms large in the minds of those about to graduate. many may be wondering about graduate school or planning on launching their careers. still others may be unsure of what to do next and looking to take at least a year off, or “gap year” to figure things out. what is exactly a gap year and why would i take one? the term "gap year" refers to the practice of taking a year (or more) away from studying to do other things, often a combination of travelling and working/volunteering abroad. a gap year can be directed towards career goals or purely personal pursuits. it can be highly planned or completely unstructured, but the common thread is the sense of exploration, adventure and possibility. a gap year can provide: a break from the academic routine. it can allow you to try out and investigate different career interests and options first-hand, by gaining direct experience in an industry or population of interest. knowledge about how the world functions outside of academia. if you do return to graduate school, this new knowledge will allow you to do so rejuvenated and replenished with new motivation and perspectives to share. the time to follow a personal dream…of travelling, living overseas, learning a new skill or a new language, pursuing an artistic or athletic passion etc., time that is often much easier to come by when you are young and relatively free to follow your own individual passions and goals. time away from academia can also help you to focus your goals and interests so that you have a much clearer idea of what you would like to study if you do eventually decide to enter a graduate program. resources the period immediately following graduation is both an exciting and tumultuous time for new grads. take some time to savour your achievement and the accompanying celebrations, and also to consider what you have learned about yourself over the past several years. it is not necessary (and awfully stressful!) to “figure out your entire life” at this point, but you do need to be asking yourself some of the big questions around who you are, the kind of person you would like to become and the areas, industries, careers and tasks you would like to try out and explore in the near future. resources to help you wrestle with these questions are: google books - turbulent twenties survival guide: figuring out who you are, what you want, and where you're going after college. salazar, m. (2006). self-assessment - programs and resources to learn more about yourself. meet an advisor - to discuss possible options during a gap year articles of interest for more information on gap year, consult the following resources. planning a gap year - things to consider when choosing a programme. (year out group) ethical volunteering - how to volunteer abroad ethically and avoid scams. (volunteer forever) taking time off - thoughts and advantages of taking time off before college. (harvard college) info for parents - gap year: why your kids shouldn't go to school in the fall. (the globe and mail) review programs - go overseas provides listings and reviews of gap year programs. gap year faq 1. is a gap year a “year off?” a gap year is more of a year out, from school and your regular routine, a great opportunity to try something new, to expand your comfort zone and to learn. 2. do you have to travel to have a gap year? gap years are traditionally associated with travel and adventure as the idea is to spread your wings and trying something new. however, if overseas travel is not do-able for you, with a little effort you can definitely learn new things and expand your comfort zone in your home city through experiences such as volunteering. 3. but what about graduate school? will my time off look bad when i do eventually apply? time off is only problematic if you have not done, experienced, or learned anything with the time. while strictly research graduate programs may be more challenging to get back into if you have spent many years away from the field and subject matter, most professional programs practically mandate that you take a year or more off in order to fulfill work experience requirements. additionally, if you apply to graduate school after a year or two off you will be able to submit a complete academic transcript with your application, and will likely have more experience to draw upon in your personal statement. 4. what if i lose my momentum and never go back to school? some people never do return to graduate school…and this is ok. many people find that time away from school helps them to become more focused and confident about their direction, and, if they choose to enter a graduate program, they do so motivated and revitalized. graduate and professional training programs are not the only route to a “good” job and to success in life and work. going to graduate school requires a substantial commitment of time, money and energy on your part, so before you make this commitment, you want to be sure that you are spending the above resources in the right place, and that you actually want to be there. 5. i can’t possibly do anything useful with just a bachelor’s degree can i? while some careers (i.e. professor, psychologist) absolutely require graduate-level training, there are myriad options open to those with a bachelor’s degree and in many fields experience is often prized more highly than a particular diploma. the vast majority of the jobs currently most in demand in quebec do not require graduate training. 6. when do i need to start planning? this depends slightly on the type of gap year you wish to have: a highly structured gap year spent volunteering and/or working overseas with some sort of organized program tends to require you to begin the planning process a year or so in advance in order to research options and finding out about relevant deadlines and give you plenty of time to sort out applications/visas. application deadlines for organized programs vary widely – for example, for the odyssey language assistant program beginning in september applications are generally due by mid-february. for canadians applying to the jet program for july/august, applications are due towards the end of november of the previous year. a less structured gap year that you organize yourself, such as one spent travelling or picking up jobs here and there with a working holiday visa requires much less lead-time, but it is still advisable to research your destination in advance. 7. how do i know if an organization or program is reputable and is a good fit for me? it is extremely important to thoroughly research any organization and/or project you are considering and don’t shy away from contacting local representatives to ask questions and find out further details. things you might want to know include: whether the organization is a charity or for-profit company safety/emergency procedures the kind of support/supervision provided during the project a breakdown of any costs involved and what they cover what to do during a gap year? your gap year(s) could involve a wide variety of experiences. traditionally, a gap year is viewed as a chance to experience a different part of the world, through travel, working holidays, volunteering, or education/exchange programs. the following are a handful of ideas to get you started and give you a sense of the range of possibilities out there! explore the world - travel, work or volunteer overseas transitions abroad swap working holidays international volunteer hq world wide opportunities on organic farms volunteer - in another country or for your local literacy organization or on an environmental project cuso international teach for america katimavik: canada’s youth volunteer-service program volunteer bureau of montreal work - to gain experience, to become financially independent, to pay off loans, to save up money to travel or all of the above! myfuture student guide program in france (veterans affairs) teach english all cruise jobs language - take a language course or be a language assistant explore program - learning french odyssey - language assistant program clep - foreign language assistants in france french embassy - tapif (the teaching assistant programme in france) jet (the japan exchange and teaching) programme be creative - do something completely different! cycle across canada: tour du canada start your own business: canada business network obtain an internship at an organization or in a field that you are considering. learn a new skill. please note that caps and mcgill do not endorse any particular websites/services; the listing is for your information only.
still looking for things to do on a gap year? these gap year adventures look great on resumes. make the most of your gap year with fun, fulfilling activities.
join our volunteering adventure programmes in africa, asia, and south america. combine planet-protecting projects with team travel for meaningful experiences that enhance your skills and career readiness.
we explore what a gap year is, why people take gap years, and what you can do on your gap year. from volunteering abroad, backpacking around the world, and other gap year adventures, we share with you how to plan the best gap year.
an overview of taking a gap year and where to find more information
the home of working holidays, summer camp, ski seasons and international internships. earn as you explore on your gap year with jenza and bunac.
should i take a gap year? it's a question so many people have - and we're here to give you a whole load of reasons why it could be a great option for you - not matter what age, and what stage of life.
custom trips planned by our advisor team and expedition staff to help you plan schools trips and group trips. start your adventure here.
year out group (yog) is an association of approved gap year organisations who provide structured gap year programmes in the uk or overseas.
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together we can make your gap year shine. gap year programs | travel advice | travel essentials | backpacking
the latest research from kilroy that uncovers what the traditional gap year looks like to gen z after a global pandemic and current cost-of-living crisis with insights into how they plan a gap year and the role alcohol plays in that experience.
* erasmus generation perspective articles are written by esn volunteers with the aim to share the student voice on current policy developments in the field of international education. the text represents the individual perspective of the author and not an official statement of the erasmus student network. “am i at the right place? what do i really like to do? is this my dream and a happy place to be? “if those questions are floating and time to time are coming back in your mind, first of all – do not panic!
a year out can be very appealing, but it’s important to make that time count. read our tips on how to make the most of it.
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gap year tourism is dominated by the youth travel market – recent secondary school and university graduates and young people taking a career break. these travellers look for authentic, stimulating travel experiences, often including volunteer work and adventure. gap years originated in the uk and are now a well-established concept. they are becoming more popular across the european market of 73.6 million young people excited about the idea of travelling abroad.
decided to take a gap year but have no idea what to do? let's inspire you — here are our top five things you could do on a once-in-a-lifetime gap year.
if you are looking for inspiration on where to spend your gap year, you can rely on gapforce to have something that will excite you!
learn how a gap year can help you develop transferable skills, save money, improve your language skills, and reflect on your future career path. discover if a gap year is right for you and how to plan a productive and rewarding experience.
gap years are never going to be everyone’s cup of tea but they are certainly not the abstract proposition of yesterday anymore and offer great advantages for a year spent productively. there are many companies that specialise in helping individuals achieve exactly what they want from their year out and become the very best versions of themselves by the end of it.
a gap year is a period of time devoted to personal growth, exploration & experiential learning! but is a gap year the best option for you?
why take a gap year? develop skills, improve your cv, gain experience and become independent to name just a few of the benefits.
gap years between school and university can be an extremely rewarding, valuable and even life-changing experience for many pupils.
the careers writers association is a resource for all those interested in encouraging and promoting accuracy, clarity, impartiality, creativity and integrity in careers information.
the gap year is a popular tradition in the uk. if you
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answer the question “what is a gap year?” and find out all you need to know about the gap year, whether you’re a student or parent.
gap year / (for mateo) / / i / i remember your moses basket before you were born. / i’d stare at the fleecy white sheet for days, weeks, / willing...
1. a year between leaving school and starting university that is usually spent…
paid gap year applications to new zealand are open. take time off or a once-in-a-lifetime gap year program in new zealand. apply now.
year out group (yog). research the best gap year travel programmes by reading our comprehensive and trusted gap year advice and information.
whether you
our academic study programme in the uk and semester abroad programs in the us are for international students aged 17+ who have finished high school and are looking for a gap year experience in an english-speaking country.
gap year jobs, courses and projects from the best uk gapyear providers. discover projects in conservation, teaching, tefl, sports coaching, expeditions, and more.
taking a gap year can be a life-changing experience. without the constraints of work, home and study, that first taste of real freedom can shape you as a person and have a real impact on your future.
this free course, managing my money for young adults, will help you start to think about managing your finances. you will learn how to budget effectively, and will be encouraged to start thinking ...
explore the world with like-minded travellers on 200+ affordable trips to 50+ destinations worldwide, perfect for first-time backpackers and solo travellers.
latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the guardian, the world's leading liberal voice
lots of people are taking gap years, but what is the history of the gap year and how did this phenomenon begin?
letz live wants young people to experience living and working overseas. apply for a gap year program and start your new adventure. visit our website for details.
a gap year can be an exciting and scary thing. here are gvi’s top benefits of a gap year that you should know about.
it's natural to have worries about whether to take a gap year or not, but let us put your mind at rest with some advice from someone who's been through it.
jugnu talks through the pros and cons of taking a gap year before university and how his gap year helped him to find his passion.
find what career is right for you with the asvab cep career exploration & planning tools. find career satisfaction & your dream job.
a gap year is a period of time taken by students between finishing school or college and starting university. during this time, students can choose to travel, work, volunteer, or pursue other interests before beginning their higher education. gap years have become increasingly popular in the uk, with many students choosing to take a year off before starting university. but as a parent, you may be wondering if a gap year is the right decision.
gap year
this is my gap year experience.
an overview of taking a gap year and where to find more information
taking a ‘gap year’ - a year out of studying to do something else, can do wonders for your skills, confidence and cv. many people take a gap year before starting college or university, but you could take one at any time
comedy drama with best mates dylan and sean who backpack through asia
a gap year is a year spent taking time off between life stages. popular option, it provides time for traveling, volunteering, learning a new language.
explore the best gap year programs for 2025 & 2026, trusted by more 146,000 program participants. with budget-friendly volunteer & intern abroad programs available 40+ countries, you can create your dream gap year here…
so you’ve just graduated high school — what’s next? have you ever considered taking a #gapyear? our latest blog post covers the pros, cons, and important considerations for planning your own gap year experience. read the article here:
a productive gap year not only helps a young person to decide what they want to do, but also helps with their university, apprenticeship or job application process. a purposeful gap year demonstrates skills and a willingness to challenge yourself and is invariably an engaging topic of conversation during interviews.
planning a gap year? there
discover the best gap year programmes designed to provide life-changing experiences and valuable skill development. explore opportunities for travel, volunteering, challenge, and more. start your adventure today and transform your future.
our gap year programs for teens include big-city internships, foreign language immersion, outdoor adventure trips, and more. start exploring today!
team up with a group of like-minded people on your global gap year abroad with us. you’ll travel, volunteer, and experience the world together.
gap years can mean finding work, internships, travelling and other adventures around the world. however, if you’re taking time out it can be unclear how (and when!) you should go apply applying to uni, or what to do if you have already been accepted on a course.