Going on a gap year adventure between high school and college is seen as rite of passage for a lot of youngsters. Jetting off to the other side of the world, absorbing unique cultures and meeting people from all different walks of life can be an enriching experience.
But gap years don’t necessarily have to be about traveling. In fact, they also present a prime opportunity to save up some funds before starting higher education. Because let’s face it, college isn’t cheap.
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So you’re preparing to finish high school and are still unsure about the next step. You could go straight to college, or you could follow in the footsteps of the 40,000 other Americans who decide to take a gap year.
A gap year can be highly beneficial for a number of reasons. Sixty percent of respondents to a gap year survey said that taking it helped them decide what they wanted to do at college. In addition to that, 90 percent of those who originally intended to go to college on their return did so. This suggests that the year off helped them to reaffirm their decision.
While a gap year is often seen as a growing experience through travel, there are also other ways to develop.
Working throughout the year-long break can be a good way to gather some much-needed savings for college, and can also help give a taster of what full time working life is all about.
So what are some of the preferred roles undertaken by gap year students?
There are a vast number of different roles available for gap year students, and it is important to choose something that interests you. Working remotely from a computer can allow you to travel at the same time, so if you have strong writing skills you could try blogging or doing paid articles.
There is also the option of fruit picking in Australia, which is another great way to combine work and travel.
One really rewarding option that is popular among young people is working in childcare. Before you get into something like that, though, it’s wise to make sure you have the right insurance to protect you. Daycare insurance at next-insurance.com provides customers with solid cover so they can have peace of mind when doing the work.
In terms of positions, there are paid options such as working in local nurseries or helping out at kids’ activity centers.
For those who enjoy working with young people, there are also plenty of volunteering opportunities out there that include teaching English in impoverished areas across the globe. Many people find this a particularly rewarding experience and that which provides transferable skills that can be used once back at home. For these jobs, it would be wise to look into travel insurance as well.
If you do decide to go on a gap year, make sure you make the most of it and use it as an opportunity for development.
It can be a life changing experience if done right, and can help nurture some of the life skills you will need at college.
