How to Prepare for a Gap Year Abroad

Taking a gap year abroad is a popular way to go around the traditional career path to explore what the world offers. Students often have big plans for life after they graduate high school, and some go right into a new job or college studies. However, this isn’t the only option.

If you’re unfamiliar with a gap year and what it provides for those who take one, read on to learn more.

What Is a Gap Year?

A gap year is a recess between traditional schooling and the next phase of life. It can last a year, but it doesn’t have to. Students may want to take a gap year abroad to “figure out life” or get direction on their goals before committing to a college, trade school, or full-time job. They may also take a gap year to explore the world or try new things before the responsibilities of adulthood truly begin.

Young adults typically take gap years 12 months after graduating high school, but they may choose to take one at any point when it may benefit them.

What To Do with a Gap Year Abroad

The term “gap year” often conjures up images of students backpacking in Europe, relaxing, and simply enjoying themselves. In reality, gap years can be much more and offer almost unlimited possibilities for spending that time.

Travel

Yes, travel is a top request for those taking gap years — whether it’s a local jaunt through the closest states or a cruise up and down the coasts of Scandinavia.

The perks of travel include seeing new places and experiencing the cultures of other communities. Traveling also brings food experiences, exposure to languages, and opportunities to learn about an area up close.

Students interested in global studies may find the gap year just what they need to clarify their college path or see the realities of overseas volunteerism. Some students may just want to make new friends, and that’s OK, too!

Ideas for travel that combine work and volunteerism include teaching English abroad or helping to build a well in a community that needs it.

Learn New Skills

Looking to get a certificate in data analytics? Interested in a local cooking class? Ready to try your hand at pottery?

These are just a few of the things a gap year abroad allows for, and there are thousands of courses and workshops available today. Some are in person, but others can be done affordably online.

Those taking a gap year find upskilling an attractive way to spend their time. They can get better prepared for work or college or simply have the freedom to fully explore a new topic without the stressors of a full-time job or university.

You don’t have to travel far from home to upskill in any number of areas. but study abroad gap year programs let you travel and learn at the same time.

Help Others

Gap years don’t have to be all about the person taking one. Volunteerism is a popular way to spend a gap year, and many students use the year to help others and fulfill a purpose they otherwise can’t when busy at school or work.

Volunteerism has another added advantage: it looks good on resumes. While it’s not the sole reason to help others, it doesn’t hurt to have a year of volunteering to your credit.

Work

It may seem counterintuitive to take a year off to work, but this may be the best way for some to spend a gap year. For one, it’s a good way to try new jobs and better understand what you’re good at or would enjoy most. Those undecided about a college major or job field could get the insight they need to confidently take that next life step.

Others use gap years to earn more for college, which is getting more expensive each year. The additional funds may offer breathing room to students who struggle to pay for books or tuition while balancing coursework. Gap year earnings can reduce the loans needed for college and help students prepay for courses without additional expensive interest and fees.

Prepare for College

Many people mistakenly believe that once a student graduates from high school, nothing more can be done to get ready for higher ed. One excellent use of a gap year is to debunk this myth by doing some college prep activities such as:

• Studying for and taking (or retaking) the ACT, SAT, or CLT
• Getting assessed for learning challenges, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or ADD
• Being tutored for spelling, math, or writing
• Learning time management, financial literacy, or independent living skills

Whether it’s learning how to do laundry or getting a head start on college-level math, the gap year is ideal for leveling up to be more successful in school.

Benefits of a Gap Year Abroad

With so many things to do, it’s hard to ignore the benefits of programs for gap year students. They include:

• Flexibility to explore values, goals, and interests
• Opportunities to work, intern, or learn more about a job field
• New experiences in unique places with different people groups
• Skill-building and learning without the pressure of formal schooling

Gap years come with less definable advantages, too. Many students take one for the fun of it and come away feeling refreshed, motivated, and inspired to take on the hard path ahead of them.

Downsides of a Gap Year Abroad

Are gap years perfect? Unfortunately not. What may be the ideal way to get direction and focus for one person can work the opposite way for another. Here are some realistic disadvantages for some who take a gap year:

• Time away from school or work may actually reduce motivation and focus.
• Some who take gap years never follow through on college plans.
• Traveling and new experiences may be costly and detract from future financial goals.
• Some colleges won’t hold an admissions offer or financial aid package for the duration of the gap year.

Gap years have the potential to offer eye-opening adventures and the space to learn and grow, but they may not work for everyone. However, careful planning of the gap year (and the period directly after) reduces the possibility of negative consequences.

How to Plan for a Gap Year

While the idea of a gap year may seem geared toward spontaneous adventures, it’s actually better to go into it with a solid plan. To get the most out of the season, prepare for the gap year in advance.

1. Set Goals

What do you want to get out of the gap year? Ask yourself well in advance of the time. Consider goals in the following areas:

• Personal growth
• Skills and learning
• Emotional, mental, or physical health
• Community, relationships, and social growth
• Finances

Don’t make too many goals, or you won’t meet them all. Settle on one major mission, such as “making money for college” or “learning about Denmark and its people.” Then, include a few nice-to-haves that you won’t feel bad about if you don’t achieve them.

2. Be Realistic About Money

Most people don’t have loads of extra cash, and a gap year abroad must be planned to ensure there are enough funds for the fun. Researching the cost for all activities can help you create a realistic budget. Add in a cushion for unexpected opportunities and to compensate for any change in pricing before you go.

You should also plan for how and when you’ll get money throughout your year. If you’re staying close to home, this should be no problem. Traveling abroad requires more forethought. Avoid having an entire year’s money with you when you leave. Instead, consider having loved ones send you cash throughout your trip. Ria Money Transfer is simple enough for any friends or family to use, and they can send currency to hundreds of countries for a low fee.

3. Make Connections

Whether you travel or work, knowing people can help you thrive during your gap year. Reach out to people you know in a career or industry and ask their advice about getting started. See if you can job shadow or spend a day in their workplace to learn more about what they do.

For travelers, use social media to connect with people from the area who you may already know. It’s amazing that a friend or family member may have visited Sweden many times and could have advice to share. But you need to ask to get this information! People who still live in the area can be a trusted source of info as you travel, not to mention help in an emergency.

4. Schedule (But Not Too Much)

Have a loose idea of what you’ll do during your time, whether it’s a monthly outline or a weekly schedule. Avoid trying to plan out too much in advance, since weather, illness, and general life situations can get in the way of even the best-laid plans. Instead, create a rough plan for a certain week, like “visit the museum in Cairo” or “take the ACT.”

Include activities in your schedule that meet your goals but also sound like something you would enjoy doing. (All work and no play can make your gap year seem very long!)

Dos and Don’ts for a Gap Year

While there are no absolutes in a gap year experience, you might find the following tips useful.

Do:

• Take time to enjoy the experience.
• Be flexible enough to change course if needed.
• Remember the goals you set at the beginning.
• Be aware of your surroundings and take safety precautions.
• Find people to share your adventures.
• Stay within your budget.
• Respect the cultures and communities you visit.
• Document your experiences.
• Learn from your mistakes.

Don’t:

• Overplan every minute of your year.
• Avoid unexpected opportunities to learn, grow, or see things.
• Act like a tourist and overpay for activities.
• Take the opportunity for granted.
• Feel you need to take a whole year — a few months may give you what you need!
  

Receiving Money During Your Gap Year Abroad

If traveling out of the country, you’ll need more money than what you can safely carry in a wallet. While you can use credit and debit cards, they aren’t accepted everywhere (and they often come with high foreign transaction fees).

To fund your adventures, have friends and family members send you cash with the Ria Money Transfer app. It works seamlessly from a mobile app or desktop, and you can use it to send money from a bank account or credit/debit card.

Ria also supports sending cash directly. Just have your loved ones visit a supported retail location. They’ll just need to know where you want to pick up the cash in the country where you’re traveling.

If you don’t want to receive cash in the currency of your travel destination, have them send the Ria money transfer to your bank account or digital wallet. Ria supports digital wallets in many countries, including El Salvador, Peru, and the Philippines. See the full list of supported wallets and their countries before you travel.

Ria makes it so affordable to send money that you can ask for funds as often as you need. It also has a great exchange rate, so you get more of the money you need while you travel.

Have Your Best Year Ever with Ria

Are you ready for your gap year abroad? Whether you hang out in your home state or cruise across the Pacific, you’ll be covered wherever you travel with the Ria Money Transfer app. It’s free to download and gives you and your loved ones a convenient way to stay within your budget. It’s also ideal for transferring money from your accounts if you need to have loved ones pay bills for you when you’re gone. 

Now, what are you waiting for? Start planning for an exciting year of fun, learning, and self-discovery!