Packing your bags and heading off on a gap year is something that many people dream about. And, no matter what age you are, it’s still possible to head off and explore the world! Whether you’ve just finished school, are between academic pursuits, are taking time out of your career or are simply looking to refocus, going on a gap year is absolutely doable.
There are actually so many advantages of having a gap year, as you can achieve personal growth, learn new skills and enjoy unique experiences that can enrich your life and career path. In this post, we’ll outline 10 benefits of taking a gap year. So, let’s take a look!
Among the many benefits of a gap year are the opportunities to learn new skills, such as studying a new language. In fact, learning Spanish is one of the skills many travellers seek out when they decide to take a gap year, given how widely spoken this language is in the world and given how many different gap year destinations use it. Having the time to take courses, such as Spanish courses, is one of the ultimate benefits of a gap year, while the opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish-speaking countries is invaluable.
Spending a significant period of time in a new place also allows you to explore and understand new cultures, which is fundamental when it comes to shaping a more rounded world view. Language-learning can be related to this. For example, there are gap year programmes in Spain which allow you to learn a new language at the same time as understanding the culture of the place and the people who speak it. Having the time to combine the two is one of the greatest gap year advantages.
A gap year often requires navigating unfamiliar situations, which can significantly boost self-confidence and independence. Whether it’s figuring out travel logistics, budgeting for an extended trip or learning to adapt in a foreign environment, this can build resilience, conviction and confidence, for the present and for future challenges.
Having the opportunity to try out new hobbies is another of the pros of taking a gap year. Many people set aside personal interests for academic or career pursuits, but a gap year gives you the freedom to revisit or discover new hobbies, be it painting, outdoor activities, writing, sports, music or whatever else. Trying out these new activities and developing new passions is fulfilling, while it could even inspire side projects or alternative career ideas.
Making new friends might be the most obvious advantage of taking a gap year. By attending language classes, joining volunteer groups or staying at hostels, you’ll come across like-minded people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some of these connections can become lasting friendships or even professional relationships. If you make friends who you still check in on long after you return home, then it’s possible for the benefits of a gap year to last a lifetime.
Budgeting becomes a crucial skill during a gap year, especially if you’re travelling far. As such, this time that is viewed as an academic and career break can actually still teach you practical financial skills, as you learn to manage resources, track spending and make financially wise choices, often in different currencies and in countries with vastly different costs of living. The financial benefits of taking a gap year can truly help you in later life.
As much as everyone hopes that their gap year trip goes smoothly from start to finish, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes there are delayed trains, overbooked hostels, unexpected costs and more. However, these challenges can always be solved and you’ll become more confident in your problem-solving skills as a result. That’s why overcoming adversity can be considered another of the unexpected gap year advantages.
For many, especially younger travellers, going on a gap year might be one of the first times leaving the country or being so far away from family. While that can be a little daunting at first, the chance to mature both emotionally and mentally, is an incredible opportunity. Once you return, you’ll be able to better deal with everyday problems, having navigated more complex situations in far-away corners of the world.
The opportunities you’ll have to take amazing photos during a gap year should not be underestimated. The experiences you’ll have will always hold a special place in your mind and your memory, but you’re going to snap a lot of pictures too and these will translate into the most incredible photo album once you get back home.
Although some gap year doubters view this kind of experience as an academic or professional “step back”, the exact opposite can be true. One of the pros of taking a gap year is that you have the time and space to make more informed and better decisions about your next steps. In the absence of any immediate pressure to make big life decisions, you’ll actually have the time to assess which opportunities and objectives actually align with your skills, passions and values. Many people find that a gap year offers them the perspective they need to make confident, informed choices about what’s next. For students, this might mean a more focused approach to studies. For professionals, a gap year could lead to a more satisfying career path.
