How to Spend Your Gap Year
25 GAP YEAR IDEAS
Once you have decided to go on a gap year, it can be quite overwhelming to decide what to do. During a gap year, there is so much you can do and the options really are endless. If you are unsure on what you want to do, check out the list below for some inspiration on places to visit, things to do and some unique gap year ideas.
1) Go backpacking in SEA
By far one of the most popular things to do during your gap year is to go traveling. South East Asia is the perfect backpacking destinations for young adults on a gap year. This region of the world is super affordable to travel, which allows people with a smaller budget to spend a longer time abroad.
2) Inter-railing in Europe
If you want to explore more of Europe, it can be interesting to check out the interrail pas. This is a train pass which allows you to travel across countries in Europe for a relatively cheap price. The pass is super easy to use and takes away the stress of international travel by train. If you want to see multiple countries, and enjoy some amazing views whilst getting there this is for sure a good option for your gap year.
3) Volunteer at an animal shelter
There are a lot of animal shelters that are looking for volunteers year round. Almost every country in the world has these types of programs. You can either book through a known volunteer organisation (such as GoEco, WEP, ...) or find a local animal shelter where you can volunteer at. You can volunteer for only a few days, weeks or months. It really depends on what you want to get out of this experience as well as your budget.
Some popular destinations are: Costa Rica, South Africa, Ecuador, Thailand
4) Teach English abroad
Want to earn some money whilst traveling? Then you might be interested in becoming an English teacher. Many Asian countries are looking for teachers who are fluent in English to teach the younger generations English. Another option is to do private tutoring in these countries. Plus after hours, you are free to explore the country and feel what it is like to live abroad.
5) Learn a new language
If you want to develop a new skill whilst traveling, you could pick up a new language to learn. One of the best ways to immerse yourself into a new language is to speak it often. So why not move to Central America and learn Spanish, or move to France to learn French. There are many language schools which can guide you along the way.
6) Study abroad
It might seem scary when you graduate High School to take a year off from studying. So, look into the options to study abroad. Not only will you be able to continue your education, but you will also get to live abroad and get to know a new culture, make friends and find a second home base.
Read about my study abroad experiences in the United States & Canada.
7) Working holiday visa in AUS / NZ / CA
Some countries are now offering "working holiday visas" these visas are a way for tourists to earn money, travel and get to know a country in more depth. Some popular destinations which are offering this are: Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Most of the time, people find jobs in hospitality and seasonal work.
8) Learn a new skill
A gap year does not always have to be about traveling. It can also be about acquiring new skills and broaden your knowledge. Maybe you want to follow some classes to become more skilled in photography, pottery, arts, woodwork... Now is the time to get after it and become more proficient. You can also follow online courses on websites like SkillShare.
9) Live abroad in a warmer climate
Maybe you have always dreamt of living in a country where the sun shines 24/7/ 365 days out of the year. Why not give it a try and go live in one of these countries for a couple of months. You could just go visit, rent an airbnb and see what happens. Or otherwise you could try out working there if you have the right visa. See whether or not you can see yourself becoming an expat long term.
Bari, Italy
10) Snowy adventure
If you prefer the colder weather, you could also head up to the mountains and explore more of the northern countries. Some places that are perfect for a winter wonderland adventure are Canada, the Scandinavian countries, Estonia or Latvia, as well as Switzerland and Austria. You can do anything from becoming a ski instructor to working on a husky farm.
Annecy, France
11) Go on an epic road trip
Vanlife has become more and more popular these past few years. Maybe you can live out your dream of traveling the world with your home on wheels. Or just head out for an epic road trip along some of the world's most famous roads such as Route 66, German Autobahn, ...
12) Start working at a local cafe
Sometimes we focus a bit too much on your gap year being about traveling and doing something out of this world. However, for some of us it might also just be about starting to work at a small coffee shop, and having some more "free time". Working less can mean that you have more time for volunteering, working on hobbies, beginning a side hustle. The options really are endless.
13) Work on becoming a digital nomad
Some of us also want to make this travel lifestyle sustainable. In order to do so, you might want to get a "head start" by getting ready at home. Maybe it's building out a business or working your way up in the company so you can work remote fully. Starting a YouTube channel or some other way of building additional revenue streams which allow you to travel full time.
14) Internship
If you want to work on building up your resume, it might be interesting to look into doing an internship. This can be either in your home country or abroad. It is always good to have some additional working experience on your resume, or if you want to, you can also figure out what it is that you love. Try internships in different fields until you find a job you absolutely love.
15) Become an au pair
Love working with kids? Then becoming an au pair could be your next best step. This service allows young adults to nanny for families in foreign countries. The experience is both beneficial for the kids as for the au pair. Often times you work during the day and get the weekends off to explore the country.
16) WWOOFING / workaway
If you don't have a large fund to start out with, maybe working on a farm might be a good option for you. Both WWOOFING and workaway offer opportunities for you to work (mainly in farming, but also other work opportunities) for a few hours during the day, and the rest of the evening + weekends off. This allows you to move abroad, explore a country in depth and get to know the area that you are working at.
17) Work as a camp counsellor
A super fun gap year idea is becoming a counsellor at a camp. Not only are you giving the kids around you the summer of their dreams, you too get to enjoy doing all these fun activities. There are many options of being a camp counsellor all over the world (e.g. camp America , camp Canada, European organisations).
18) Become a tour guide
If you are passionate about traveling, maybe you want to pursue a career in this field. Being a tour guide either on guided trips or locally can be a way to earn money and truly get to know new cities and countries. This might require an education or training in order to be certified.
19) Follow your passion to entrepreneurship
Have you always dreamt of being your own boss and having your own career? Why not start, there is no better time to try out entrepreneurship then when you are on your gap year. Go all in and try to make it work! Whether it is opening a shop, becoming a coach, starting a photography business... chase the dream.
20) Work on a cruise ship
Another fun way to travel the world is to work on a cruise ship. Ship life is a super fun way to travel the world, however it is hard work. There will be many days where you will be only working and don't have time off. Whilst other days you will be at port and be able to explore new cities and places.
21) Europe solidarity corps / USA peace corps
I mentioned volunteering already, but if this is a passion of yours, maybe this might be a better fit. Both organisations are made for young adults to volunteer long term in a foreign country. On top of that these volunteering trips (unlike others) are completely paid for with government subsidies and cost you nothing.
22) Work on your fitness
Maybe you have always dreamt of being healthier and more fit. Now would be the perfect time to get after that goal. Whether that means starting a new sport, hitting the gym everyday or do more things outdoors... taking control over your health is always a good idea. If you want to go all out maybe follow some courses or go to a cooking class and switch up your diet as well.
23) Travel in 1 country / SLOW TRAVEL
So usually the first thing you think of when taking a gap year is travel. However, if you want to be a bit more environmentally friendly rather than cruising around the globe for a year, slow travel could be the solution. This is when a traveler decides to really get to know 1 country in depth for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3-6 months or longer).
24) Spend time alone & working on yourself
It's never not a good time to work on yourself. Maybe you have been surrounded by people and opinions your whole life on "what's best for you". It could be good for you to take the time off and go travel solo, spend time alone and think about who you want to be.
25) Discover less traveled countries
If you want to be an adventurous soul and truly get to know "off the beaten track" places, go out and explore some lesser known countries. This can be either countries which are "foreign" for you, or to the majority of the world. Some countries I can think of that are not too crowded with tourists (yet) are: Ukraine, Albania, the pacific islands, the -stan countries (e.g. Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan)...
Want to know more? Check out my video about these 25 ideas.
