After high school, you may not know precisely what you want to do with your life. This is when you experience what people refer to as the gap year or a break from learning.
While some high school graduates immediately go to college, you may need time to figure out what direction to take. This is where travelling can be beneficial.
This article lists some tips for taking full advantage of your gap year should you decide to travel and explore new places.
Research Destinations
One of the first things you can do to take advantage of your gap year entirely is research destinations you can explore. For most people, a gap year travel is beneficial as they discover places they haven't visited before.
More importantly, they get to know themselves better and learn what they are capable of. Thanks to the internet, research is now made easier.
There are now various travel websites that you can refer to if you want to know more about a particular place. In researching possible destinations you can visit, consider the place's safety by looking into the political and social stability of the country or region you are interested in.
It is also a good idea to take note of the weather conditions of the place so you know the best time to visit.
Define Your Goals
Along with research, you also need to define your goals, outlining the reasons why you want to travel during your gap year and what you expect to get from it. Do you want to learn a new language? Or do you want to volunteer or gain experience working in a foreign state?
Some people who travel during their gap year intend to achieve a particular form of freedom or independence. Is this what you want for yourself, too?
To be clear on your goals, it is better to write them down, categorizing each as a primary or a secondary goal. Then, do some additional research to know whether the initial destinations you considered align with the goals you have written.
Plan Your Budget
Apart from research and goal setting, you must also plan your budget if you intend to travel during your gap year. This is a vital step to ensure that you will be able to sustain your travels.
Rest assured that numerous budget-friendly destinations will not require spending a hefty sum. Still, you need to plan your budget to figure out how long you can stay in a particular place.
In this case, you must assess your finances and determine how much money you have saved. If you intend to travel to gain work experience, then you may acquire a certain income during your gap year, augmenting your finances.
However, if you only want to explore and visit places, you must factor in your accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. You also need to set aside a specific sum that you can use for emergencies.
Have a Travel Itinerary
Another valuable tip if you intend to travel during your gap year is to have a travel itinerary. This way, you will have a rough idea of the length of your stay, the places you will visit, and what your days will look like.
Yes, it would help if you were flexible, but having a travel itinerary will help you stay on track. So, highlight the places you want to visit and include them in your itinerary.
Then, plan your significant activities there, but remember to leave some room for other activities you may do out of spontaneity. Thankfully, there are now travel apps that you can use to create an itinerary that you can even share with your friends and family to keep them updated on your whereabouts.
These apps can even help you book accommodations, transportation, and activity tickets in advance.
Consider Structured Programs
While some people love the spontaneity that travelling during a gap year brings, others prefer structured programs. With a structured program, you are more likely to accomplish the goal that you set, such as learning a new language.
You will also be able to immerse yourself more in the culture of the place you are visiting and interact more with the locals. Also, with structured programs, there is a bigger chance for you to give back to the community of the place you intend to explore.
Embrace Cultural Immersions
When you immerse yourself in the culture of a place, you get to discover more about the place and yourself. For instance, when you opt for local cuisine to experience what locals eat, you may realize that you have a unique palate that is fond of dishes you have not been served before.
Similarly, when you engage with the locals by attending community events, you may pick up specific pointers you can try to implement back home in your community.
Overall, experiencing a new way of life can just be the key to figuring out the direction you want to go.
Prepare for the Challenges
Travelling during your gap year can also come with challenges, so you must be prepared for them. For instance, you may discover you don't have enough money to continue your journey.
In this case, you may need to cut your travel short and go home, or if your visa and documents permit, you may try to get a job locally to support your journey.
When your plans don't go as expected, don't lose heart. Instead, embrace the challenges because it is through these hurdles that you will get to learn more and be resilient.
A gap year is a unique opportunity that might not come again soon. Embrace every big or small experience, and make the most of your time.
Travel to fully take advantage of your gap year! Research the destinations you are interested in exploring and define your goals.
From there, set a budget and have a travel itinerary, wherein you may also consider structured programs.
Remember to embrace cultural immersions and prepare for your travels' challenges. Document your journey, too, because this will surely be one for the books!
