Written by Have you decided to take a break from normal life and do something different? Whether you are having a break before starting university, making the most of your retirement or simply need a break from your 9 to 5 routine, a gap year is a great opportunity to have new experiences. People tend to go two ways on a gap year, choosing from a relaxing extended holiday or using the time to do something practical. If you have always dreamed about going to a particular country, this is the perfect time to do it.
If you choose to explore Europe, you get sun and sandy beaches as well as culture and different civilisations. There is still a lot of un-trodden paths in Europe that British travellers are yet to discover. Italy presents visitors with a world of glamour and celebrity as well as beautiful art, architecture and nature. Travelling eastwards you are met with the huge expanse that is Russia. Wealth and poverty live side by side in Russia and the legacy of the tsars and the revolution live on. Moscow and St Petersburg are a must for any history fanatics as well as those who enjoy the odd shot of vodka. Getting away from the classic British holiday destinations into somewhere a little less well travelled is what a gap year is all about.
Some people are looking to enhance their CV during a year abroad or want to learn new skills. Volunteering in developing countries has gained popularity over the years and more people are now choosing teaching jobs abroad to occupy their time. A skill that employees are coming to value is teaching English as a foreign language, something you can do in a gap year. Younger travellers and more mature explorers with experience in the work place are all taking up teaching jobs abroad, with Teflworld noting a sharp rise in the number of older TEFL teachers.
So if you are planning a gap year, do what you like, but remember to do something different! Sitting on your sofa for eleven months out of twelve with a couple of weeks in Magaluf doesn’t count as a gap year. Explore, have adventures and bring back some stories.
