A break at some point in life could be very important as it affords an opportunity to properly think and plan for the next step.
One of such breaks could be provided by a gap year as skills, exposure and experience could be acquired before moving to another phase.
Statistics have shown that workers who take leave from work for at least 3 months in a year suffer less from chronic diseases. As a result, they live longer and produce a greater result.
According to recent studies, teenagers who acknowledge a gap year and maximize its benefits, tend to do better.
The edge their peers in the long run as they have a more practical approach to solving problems.
What is a Gap Year?
A gap year is a break taken for a year from education usually after a student’s completion of an A ‘level and before entering the university.
It affords the opportunity to take out some time and view life differently before returning to study more.
Ranging from tourism, volunteering to working for skill set, various hands on experience could be obtained within this exciting period.
In this article, we would highlight a lot of fun-filled gap year ideas that could be explored to give the ideal experience required.
List of Fun-Filled Experience to Explore during a Gap-Year
1. Travel round the World
One of the most common ways to spend a gap year is to mark out a couple of places in some parts of the world to visit.
It equips you with a whole different view of the world if you could see for yourself the wonders and natural endowment of some remarkable locations you might have read about in a book or told story about.
2. Dive and Surf around the Coast
Diving and Surfing can be great fun especially when done with a number of persons.
Also, you could look for a club/team that major on these activities and join them. Better still you can find one to compete with for a prize.
Furthermore, this could also serve as a form of exercise and relaxation while you strengthen your skills on how better it could be done.
3. Fight climate change
Our ozone layer is gradually deteriorating from what it used to be. Toxic gases are steadily flying into the atmosphere to pollute it.
The presence of systems that produces greenhouse gases could be the required solution.
A gap year can afford the time to do a proper research while collaborating with a few science inclined organizations.
There will be no greater joy than to know you proposed a major solution that could help the world.
In summary, there are other ways to fight climate changes as well. A proper research would show what has been obtained and how various areas can be further explored.
4. Make Money while teaching
Some of the knowledge you have gotten from high school can be put to effective use during your gap year.
You could join a school or tutorial center where you and take up a junior role that sooths your educational knowledge.
To clarify, you could teach other vocational or digital skills that are really sought after if you have the knowledge.
The first thing to do would be to identify teams or organizations you can collaborate with and then source for clients
5. Virtual gap years
Going virtual is a trend that has gradually taken over the world. From creating online meetings to playing virtual games, there is no limit to the places you could reach from the comfort of your home.
A gap year app could be useful for you to create a platform for other persons whose gap year fall in similar time frame.
It could also be done such that you can search for persons with like interest to partake in the virtual journey.
Following the continuous restrictions due to covid-19, you could actually sight-see various places virtually.
All you need is someone who can tour their present locations and stream live.
Various forms of daily competitions can be created virtually to keep everyone entertained and educated.
6. Animal Care
A skill in animal husbandry can come in handy during the gap-year. Today, animals are found in one out of every three homes either as pets or for business and consumption.
As a result, taking care of animals for any or all of these purposes can be a very useful skill.
Another area to explore would just be to learn the lifestyle of some animals of interests.
A good understanding of their behavioral patterns and how to communicate with them if possible, would be great way to care for them.
7. Conservation
Protecting humans, marines, animals, environment etc. is very important so as to ensure proper continuity. Conservation is the field which helps to cover all these.
Engaging your gap year acquire knowledge in this area could really awesome.
However, it is advisable to have a particular interest in a specific area so as to channel your energy and time properly.
A first step would be to seek for an expert in the field or join an organization that focuses on you field of interest.
8. Cultural programs
You could attend various cultural programs and festivals during your gap year.
Make a list of these yearly activities and pick the ones that are feasible to attend.
Furthermore, other areas of interest could be experienced virtually.
9. International internships
This is another way of maximizing a gap-year. You could get to sight-see a different location from your immediate environment.
Most importantly, you get to scale up your skill set in a career that is of importance to you.
Also, a good research and target global organizations that provides standard working environment and program of interest.
Consequently, you can get to interact with colleagues and professionals who would build your confidence.
10. Language courses
Learning a couple of new languages could make a gap year quite fulfilling and interesting.
Your target languages could be from these international languages; French, English, Arabic, Spanish, German etc.
You can find detailed courses on these languages from sites such as; edx, cousera, future learn or udemy.
Depending on your willingness and patience with people, you could also direct this holiday to providing social care in communities.
There is many NGO’s striving hard to reach out to more under privileged.
As a result, you can become an extra hand during the gap year by showing support and care to the targeted audience.
12. Join a Sport Academy
If you have loved and desired to pursue a career in a type of sports, the gap year would be a great time kick off.
It is likely you were scared it could affect your academics and waited for a right time to awaken that interest.
Ensure you make your research on a sport academy you could join during the year.
The academy should preferably be one that would still provide you with an option to continue studies after your gap year elapses.
13. Get a mentor
This could also be a period to get close to a mentor of particular interest. It affords you more time to study from them with an almost undivided attention.
You could itemize particular areas of interest you want a detailed explanation/tutoring and give it your all to grasp as much.
Another better way to easily tap from a mentor is to go volunteer to work in their organization.
This gives you a better way to access and learn faster as they can easily direct you in the right path in less time.
14. Experience another culture
One of the amazing and full-filled part of a gap-year could be experiencing or learning something weird.
For instance, there are several cultures in Africa in which their ways of life and dressing appears to be unique.
Therefore, you could make a trip and do a study of one or more culture(s) whose history and concept makes you inquisitive.
A visit to the land of such people could further give you a hand-on experience of the totality of their lifestyle.
Consequently, you could also make a detailed documentation as it provides you an experience of a life time.
15. Set clear goals
The period of transition from A ‘level to university is an important time in life as you get to make personal decisions on a career path to follow.
In most cases there is a lot of uncertainty at this stage. One could get really confused with which option from a list of options to choose.
An advisable way to go about this especially during your gap year would be to make a list of careers that appeals to you.
After which you should do a detailed study on each an every one of them to know more.
As you go through them, you simply tick out the ones that are not so appealing to you and keep the ones you need.
In addition, you could seek an advice from a counsellor to help guide you to making a better decision.
16. Take an overland tour in Africa
Africa is one of the continents of the world with diverse tribes and cultures. There are also a lot of historic and amazing places to visit to gain amazing experiences.
For instance, you could choose to take a tour to see land forms, forests, ancient museums, etc. Alternatively, historic places you have heard or read about could be a tour destination for you.
17. Study yoga
Keeping your body flexible and good in shape could be of great importance within this period.
Yoga is one of the ways to achieve this. You could even extend it to becoming a gymnast, an athlete or a yoga coach.
Consequently, several opportunities can also span out from these that you can go into even while still interested in returning to school.
18. Make an impact
To each human exists a different passion and drive. A gap year affords one the opportunity and time to seek a practical approach on things we are passionate about.
One of the things that we could do is make an impact in our community or world as large.
NGO’s are one of the communities that provides support to people who might not be so privileged.
Becoming part of them affords you the opportunity to make an impact in the society as their goal is already towards that direction
Alternatively, you can work independently or with a set of close friends/colleagues to do a community-based project. It could be online or offline and impact lives meaningfully
19. Join a job placement program
Seeking a job in line with one’s qualification could be a huge challenge. This is one sure area to explore during a gap year.
A job placement program can help one understand how to prepare resumes, where to search for jobs and prepare for an interview.
This could be a good platform to gain experience as you get to sort out that challenge and could possibly render the services to people in need.
20. Start a business
You could also start up that wonderful business idea you have been nurturing during your gap year.
In fact, you would have as much time and effort to put towards nurturing the business.
Alternatively, you could use the first three months to attend a business school, seminar or workshop for training.
This would help you gain more experience and provide you with insight about the business risks before starting.
Finally, if it’s a business worth starting, you should look to stabilizing it within the period of your gap year.
It is possible you might want to return to school and you wouldn’t want the business to be stranded.
Conclusion
Finally, a gap year can provide a lifetime opportunity to catapulting one’s career if well maximized.
The lists mentioned here are only a handful that could be explored. You could do your research to find out more.
Whether you like the idea of a gap year or not doesn’t take away its advantages and endless possibilities.
It is advisable to learn and gain as much experience as well as you can while young.
