Gap Year
Travel and Work

Please note that 'Gap Year' is largely a UK based term and phenomenon so most content is UK specific.

What is a Gap Year?

Life can often conspire to keep you in a work routine or committed to someone or something in a way which will prevent long-term travel, and it usually starts once you begin 'proper' work. If you are still in full-time education these years could be your last chance to escape before the work ties begin to tighten.
Remember, employers and universities like 'gappers' as they are less likely to drop out, have more self confidence, a broader outlook and better personal management skills!

You too could benefit from a chunk of time doing something different! Are you one of the following:

- like 53% of sixth formers you have no idea what career would suit you and need to look around a bit? The head of policy at the UK Institute of Directors, Ruth Lea, thinks that 'going to university is not always a golden road to a golden career' and a year exploring options can offer alternative career paths, as well as broadening the minds of those going on to university or college.

- you're already in the work grind and have had enough of it, want to try something less stressed or more exciting?

- you think you'd like your skills to help those less fortunate than yourself?

- you've retired from work, the children have left home, what to do....?

Student Gappers:

I'm in full time education and can't get away from study quick enough. I got dropped off at school when I could barely walk and I've been trapped by classes ever since..., get me out of here!

UK Sixth Form Timetable - start here if you are still in school or sixth form college.

UK Temporary Jobs - check out some options for getting your hands on the cash you'll need for your trip.

Preparing for Gap Year travel:

- Plan ahead, you may never have so much time again so don't waste it by going to the wrong place at the right time or vice-versa. Keep moving if you can, the world has a lot to offer.
Read Bugbog travel summaries [the destination finder is a good starting point] and design a coherent itinerary that will supply your needs.
Factor in festivals if you can, whether wild, wacky or arty, and think about costs, health and safety problems of your favoured destinations.
- Calculate your ££ requirements and be generous with your estimates.
- Have a health check with your GP before departure.
- Get insurance, you wouldn't believe the costs of injury in some places abroad - mountain helicopter rescue, for example, could leave you with a £100,000+ bill. Tell the truth on the form!
- Take separate photocopies of family details, travel insurance, traveller's cheques, tickets, passport, visas. Store hard copies in your baggage and an e-copy online e.g. lonely planet's ekno.
- Pack the minimum, of course. If you can afford it, new technology can help. For example there's now an excellent microfibre towel that packs tiny, dries fast but covers a lot. Also multi-use trousers that unzip into shorts and dry super fast. Check good online travel clothing shops.
- Don't forget a simple first aid kit and loo roll if you're a low rent backpacker.
- Be prepared for hostile police/customs/border guards/ embassy staff. They have great power to stuff you up, so be quiet, reasonable and polite even if they are complete tossers and you are a beacon of self-righteous anti-establishmentarianism.
- Take special care on rented scooters and bikes, gravel rash and broken bones can really cramp your style.
- Do not challenge or face down locals. Be calming, head for a crowded place or prepare to run or scream!
- Respect other cultures. Locals can have enormous pride in apparently dumb things. Restrain yourself from rude or derogatory comments and wear appropriate clothing in religious surroundings.

Information for those who want Gap Year work:

Work Visas | Paid Work Abroad

Volunteer Projects Abroad

Language Study Abroad | Teaching English TESOL [TEFL]

Not For Profit Gap Organisations