Student Gap Year Travel

Student Gap Year Travel - Trips, Tours

Gap year travel is becoming a great way for teens to explore the world. Rather than bounce from high school straight into a rigorous college program, a gap year lets them spread their wings and figure out what they really want to do. Gap year travel doesn't have to be expensive.

Why Gap Year Travel is so Important

From the time teenagers enter high school, guidance counselors and teachers push students to make up their mind about their future. Repeated urgings stating “you only have four years” become the norm. Many students become frustrated and decide on high paying careers rather than what they love.

Pushing a child too hard often leads to failure, especially if that teen becomes stuck with a college degree and eventual job that doesn't make them happy. Gap year travel helps them clear their mind and try their hand at different jobs or in different cultures.

Inexpensive Gap Year Travel Ideas

Many students are uncertain what truly inspires them. They may leave high school with a few interests, but whether those interests can make for life-long careers is unknown. With a work visa and a European Inter-Rail pass, teens can spend their gap year touring Europe for a low price. Inter-Rail passes cost approximately $500 and allow them to use the rail system as much as they want. They can stay at inexpensive hostels and take temporary jobs in the community experiencing different cultures and languages, all while sampling different careers.

Australia offers the Travelers at Work job service that helps gap year students find jobs throughout Australia. The jobs may entail helping with yearly harvests or working at seasonal resorts. Teens gain experience doing different jobs while spending their gap year traveling around Australia.

Consider working as an Au pair in a foreign country. You are paid to spend your gap year working as a nanny to children, teaching them the English language and about your culture. You're paid for your nanny services and receive room and board. Au pair work is a win-win situation because you learn about another country's culture and people and can help teach young children about your own cultures.

Loves Kids Orphanage provides gap year teens with an exceptional chance to care for orphans in Africa. You move into a host family's home in Ghana and learn all about cooking, household chores and the plight of the orphans. Daily care of the orphans is an essential part of this gap year program.

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