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Hints on organising your gap year |
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14.08.03 (142 review reads) |
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Advantages: once in a lifetime opportunity, chance to travel, volunteering is great for cv
Disadvantages: expensive
If the 9am-5pm city lifestyle is getting you down, or the thought of going to uni to study is just too traumatic after A-levels, think about taking a gap....
Gap years don't have to be just about travelling, bumming a year away in a tropical beach (although you have to admit, it's tempting!!). There are a million different ways to spend the year, here's just a few suggestions:
* get a round-the-world flight ticket and fly off.
* Apply to a gap-year placement company and do a volunteer placement abroad.
* Join an expedition
* Earn money for uni
* Learn a language abroad
* Do some retakes
Gap years can be organised last minute, so if your A level grades weren't all you hoped for and you've missed your uni place you have got loads of other options... If you have no luck with clearing, or you can reapply in the autumn. Your personal statement on the ucas form will look a lot more impressive if you outine your plans and do something constuctive with your time.
You will need to have money behind you, or be prepared to slog away for a few months as most of the options available are expensive. Expect to spend anything from £2000-£4000+ over the course of the year. If you choose to do volunteer work though, there are many organisations that will give you some funding - for example a local rotary club.
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I'd just like to point you in the direction of Gapyear.com: a goldmine which I found invaluable. It has the following sections:
Gap-year Clearing: This section is new this year, and works like the ucas system. Gap year companies have not always filled up their places - so you might be able to find something last minute through this.
Messageboards (under members menu): This is the perfect place to discuss your travelling plans, find a travel mate, moan about fundraising or just have a bit of a
laugh. There is also a dedicated messageboard for career-gappers 25+, if you're interested in more mature conversation! Once you become a member, you can also receive private messages and have your own buddy list.
Features (under members menu) : here you can read people's advice and experiences on their gap, and also submit your own.
Ideas section: Go here if you're lacking in inspiration - there are about 20 suggestions about what you can do.
PLacements: here is a very comprehensive directory of gap year placements, you can search by type of placament, as well as company name.
Countries: reviews on countries live here, and are largely written and managed by volunteer members.
Uk: Want something closer to home? If you go here there are UK volunteering opportunities here.
Also check out gapyearshop.com for some great deals on travel gear. Everthing is competitvely priced - usually cheaper than in high-street stores like Millets. Here they have special offers, suggested kit lists, and extensive stock to choose from.
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For most, taking a gap is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...... Make the most of it, do something that you really want to and you can't go wrong!
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