Topic: School / Industry News
Exploring Your Gap Year Options
Thinking about time off between school and university? Or a break between finishing a Bachelor’s before starting a Master’s? A year off to explore the world, volunteer, spend time with friends and family, or develop a passion project? The world can be your oyster and it’s a great time to explore your options and focus on your self-development.
So why is a gap year a good idea and what are your options?
Additional studies: You’ve spent the past several years working hard towards getting the exam results you wanted. You’ve taken extracurricular activities to have a rounded profile for university applications.
If you haven’t obtained the grades you would have liked, having an additional year between graduating and starting the next round of studies provides a great opportunity to take additional courses or to re-sit exams. Or you could be undecided about your future course of study, hesitating between the subject you would like to major in and exploring alternative options. The extra time can be spent taking pre-college classes, or interning in your industry of choice to gain a better understanding of your future career.
Travel: With such limited travel options over the past 18 months, with the possibility of the world opening back up again, taking some time off to explore is even more tempting than ever before. Practicing your language skills, experiencing different cultures, and most importantly learning that the world works in multiple ways are all priceless lessons travel will bring you. If you’re travelling straight out of high school, either with friends or with an organization, it’s a first big step out into the world and will make the leap into university life much easier to navigate.
Volunteering: There are a number of brilliant schemes, both local and abroad, which you could join. Whether it’s teaching English as a foreign language, volunteering in schools, cleaning nature reserves, supporting deprived communities, or building houses with Habitat for Humanity. Alternatively, explore fundraising options through a sporting event such as a marathon or a 100km hike for a cause you would like to support.
Whether it’s signing up for an acting class, following a culinary passion or working on your self-development with a Swiss Gap Year Experience, if you do choose to take a Gap Year, it’s a unique opportunity that you won’t want to waste. Be sure to spend it in the best way possible and start planning for it early, a year flies by when you’re enjoying yourself!
