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GAP YEAR

Are you thinking of taking a year out?

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The Leap offer a free comprehensive ebook on gap years - get your copy here.

 

This can be for different reason depending on your circumstances and what your goals are.

 

Whether you want to learn a new skill, raise your cultural awareness or buy yourself some thinking time before making the move into work or further study, a gap year could be the answer…

 

What can I do for my gap year?

 

Travelling: Discover new places, experience different cultures and become more open minded.

Expert travel organisations include: STA travel, Gap Adventures, Topdeck, Trekamerica, Contiki, Intrepid, Real Gap and Lonely Planet

 

Combining travelling and volunteering: Make a difference and get to see the world at the same time.

Helpful organisations include: CCUSA, BUNAC, Latitude, Frontier, Raleigh and Camp America

 

Volunteering in the UK:  Give up spare time to do something for others. Volunteering can be a great

way to meet people, learn new skills and gain invaluable experience.

 

Strengthening a future application by re-sitting or studying additional subjects: You may have missed out on some grades which you want to make up for. You may decide to do this by delaying university for a year and resitting subjects and exams

 

Gaining relevant work experience: You could do this by doing an internship, volunteering or paid work

 

Raising extra funds for university: You might decide to work for a year to save money for university

 

What skills will I gain?

 

Depending on the type of gap year you choose to take, the skills you develop will vary. Make a list of the reasons why you want to take a gap year. Once you know what you want to get out of your time off, you will be able to narrow down your options.

 

Taking a gap year could:

  • develop your transferable skills, including your communication, leadership, time management and decision making;

  • increase your work experience, through paid employment or voluntary work;

  • allow you to learn a new craft, such as surfing, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), filmmaking, cookery or even the art of kung fu;

  • hone your existing skills, for example basic language skills, IT skills and teamwork;

  • increase your confidence and independence, by taking yourself out of your comfort zone

  • help you decide what you want to study at university

 

Useful websites

 

 

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