A travelling Gap Year
There are plenty of exciting opportunities to take a year out, travel, see the world and perhaps do some paid or voluntary work at the same time.
Not surprisingly, opinions vary on the value of taking a gap year abroad in a difficult economic climate, especially as it's likely to cost quite a bit. So take advice, listen to the arguments, and remember that everyone's individual circumstances are different - only you can make the decision.
There are many different types of travel for a gap year. An internet search for 'gap year' will give you plenty of useful websites to browse for inspiration, advice and trips to book. Have a look at Year Out Group as a start.
Volunteering
If you not only want to see the world but help out too, this could be for you. There are many organisations around the world that desperately need young people to help with community projects, medical aid programmes or work with endangered animals.
Voluntary work can be very rewarding, but a successful volunteering project requires careful planning and support.
Before you agree to a volunteering opportunity, do your research to make sure you’ll be volunteering with a genuine organisation and your work will have a positive impact.
Take a look at GOV.UK's advice on volunteering and adventure travel.
.
Summer camps
Especially popular in the USA, children's holiday activity camps offer job opportunities, usually involving work as a 'counsellor' looking after groups of campers.
You get pocket money and work for 9 weeks over the summer. A lot of your travel arrangements will be taken care of by the company employing you - visa, insurance, return flights, food and accommodation. When your work is done, you can travel across the US and see the country with the new friends you've made.
Take a look at Camp America if you're interested.
.
Just travel
Although it's great if you can use your year off to do something worthwhile and learn new skills, there really is nothing wrong with just going off to see the world. Many students now choose to take shorter periods of travelling, interspersed with periods of working to build up the funds to go abroad.
Have a look at Year Out Group for more ideas.
There are plenty of seasonal jobs abroad (for example fruit picking in Australia or working as a chalet host in ski resorts) that can help you earn your passage around the world.
.
Work
A growing proportion of the pre-university gap years have some connection to work.
You can arrange your own placement or just work on a casual basis, which could get you some skills and earn you hard cash to take you travelling. Or check out EDT which offers 12 month work placements to students age 17 and over, interested in STEM subjects, with UK companies. You will be paid a proper wage and gain a lot of useful experience.
.
Other useful websites
Gap Years
UCAS has a whole section of information on gap years with links to lots of volunteering and gap year organisations.
https://www.ucas.com/discover/gap-yearsYear Out Group
An association of leading year out programme providers.
https://yearoutgroup.org/Gap Year Foreign Travel Advice
Information on how to stay safe and healthy during your gap year overseas.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safer-adventure-travel-and-volunteering-overseas