See the world, learn about other cultures, make new friends, expand your comfort zone, gain independence, build skills, grow personally – we’re all used to it. the usual reasons why taking a year off is a good idea.
But with all the clichés (those are clichés for a reason)There are a number of other ~unusual~ reasons to consider a year of leave that you may not have thought of.
Whether you’re eager to chat, wonder what’s next after school, need a break from the monotony of your work/life routine, or are simply at a crossroads, gap year is a good idea at any age. Here’s why.
1. REVIEW YOUR PERSONAL VALUES THAT YOU SHOULD CHOOSE
Growing up in a country or a culture is something most of us do, but it’s isolating. Remedies? Travel. By immersing yourself in other cultures, traditions and lifestyles, especially during a sabbatical or working holiday when you have more time to delve deeper, you will begin to re-evaluate. facts that you consider to be inscribed.
Exposure to Japan’s culture of deep respect can encourage you to become more deeply involved in your close relationships.
Friday beers and the more relaxed hours in many Australian workplaces may leave you wondering if working 9am-9pm is the best use of precious weekdays. yours or not.
The deliciousness of street food in Asia can make you trade your morning cereal for fried noodles.
Experiencing the beautiful chaos of ‘island time’ can make you reconsider whether you need to be too strict with details and deadlines.
It’s hard to see the edges of your bubble when you’re living in it. Take a year off to break out of the routine you grew up with. Learn what Actually make you bookmark.
2. SAVE MONEY & TIME IN THE LONG TERM
Hold. Are you saying that spending a year abroad can really SAVE money for me? In the long run, absolutely. Endless hedonistic backpacking will eventually drain your savings, but if you’re intentional, a year off will save time and money in the planning of things. In Southeast Asia, you can easily backpack on a budget, and in countries like Australia and New Zealand, you can work and earn while traveling. Gap years can be expensive, but they don’t have to be.
Most importantly, the gap year gives you a comfortable space to do different jobs, try new hobbies and experiment with different lifestyles. Getting a starter job in an industry you’re interested in can help confirm that your dream career won’t turn out to be your worst nightmare. Finally, when you return home, you’ll deepen your self-understanding and come closer to envisioning what the next chapter of YOUR life will be like, instead of feeling compelled to walk down the road. available. Being more sure of yourself before making big decisions will save you time and money because you’ll be less likely to make mistakes in college or in your career.
To quote Mary Oliver:
Tell me, what do you plan to do
With your wild and precious life?
The gap year won’t solve all your problems, but it can help answer this question.
3. GIVE YOUR AWESOME JOB WITHOUT BURNING BALLS
Work makes you down? If you’re not sure how to politely quit your job without a good reason (or maybe you have one and don’t want to spill the beans), tell your job that you’re about to. Vacation for an empty year! Regardless of your age or experience, employers usually understand the need to travel. Nothing personal, boss! Just go ~find yourself~.
It may seem a bit extreme to take a year off just to quit a dead-end job, but if you’re feeling stuck it can be an antidote (see point above). Learning to navigate the world is proof that you are independent, another piece in your world education puzzle that employers want to see when hiring. Write that CV with a stint abroad and become your own Mr. Global.
4. IT’S AN EASY WAY TO GET A SURPRISE RELATIONSHIP
In addition to being an excuse to quit a work routine you don’t like, deciding to take a year off can be just an excuse to get you out of a relationship that has come to an end. This may sound difficult, but listen to us! Sometimes we end up in stagnant relationships because of ease or convenience, especially when we are young. When this happens, it’s hard to explain to your partner how uncomfortable it feels, but when you need a change, you need to change.
If you’re getting ‘icked’ and think a change is needed, taking a year off could be the perfect excuse to break things up amicably. Not you, but me – I just need to experience more of the world independently. On the other hand, a gap year may be just what the doctor ordered to get over a painful breakup. Leading up to our final point…
5. MEET YOUR TRUE LOVE? IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE
We don’t promise anything, but love is often a numbers game. not in that in a way, but simply how many people you meet in your life. Staying in your hometown forever – even if you’re lucky enough to live in a big city – means you’re missing out *check the world population counter* Billion of potential partners. Okay, a lot of people in the world don’t qualify exactly… but you get it.
Swiping through dating apps and going to bars in your hood is one thing, meeting someone on your adventures abroad is quite another. There are fish in the sea, you just swim out of your pond. A short vacation makes it hard for you to form real relationships, but during a sabbatical or work vacation, you have more freedom to see where an open heart can take you. Warm weather + fewer responsibilities + more confidence = the perfect opportunity to form a relationship with someone new. And we’re not just talking about romantic relationships! You never know where you will meet your future mate.
A gap year is more than just a break. It’s an opportunity to get a better picture of the world we all share and your place in it. Spending time abroad is changing in terms of personal growth… but it’s also fun! If you want to learn more, check out our travel blog for some live gap year ideas and stories.
Five Ways the Adult Gap Year Changed My Life
Do something different for your Gap Year work
