Gap year abroad: what is it, why do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is a gap year abroad?

• A gap year is a longer period between two courses, between a course and a job or between two jobs. Where you more or less consciously choose not to switch directly from one to the other.
• A gap year is generally not literally a year but can vary from a few months to a year.
• The international term for a gap year is 'gap year', although gap year is more often used when it comes to a less serious way of spending the period.

How can you fill a gap year abroad?

• You can perfect your language skills, and you can take classes in subjects of your choice, from art and history to media studies.
• You can also gain work experience and strengthen your skills by doing an internship at a local company.
• You can help yourself and someone else by doing volunteer work.
• You can fill your backpack with experiences by making a long or world trip.
• You can also do it all and not make it a gap year, but the starting year of the rest of your (meaningful) life.

Why should you take a gap year abroad?

• Experience: get work or study experience in those areas that may be important for your study choice or career. Before you choose a direction, it is nice to know a little about what you are getting into.
• Cultural awareness: get experience with immersing yourself in another culture.
• Independence: benefit from the fact that you will not be bothered by limitations, your friends, or family. Feel free and take time to listen to your own heart.
• Self-awareness: you will definitely gain a mountain of self-knowledge that will give you benefits during your whole life.
• Network: you will make many new friends or acquaintances in different fields or areas in the world.

What do you need for a gap year abroad?

• A sufficient budget to last as long as you want, or enough work ethic to earn money there.
• The realization that when you return, you may want to leave again immediately... so take enough time to acclimatize at home.
• The realization that after the period that you have been away, you may think very differently about your future.
• The realization that after the period that you have been away, you might think the same about your future.

What is the best place to go during your gap year?

• Become an au pair: Argentina, Australia, China, England, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Spain and the United States.
• Backpacking and earning money: Australia, Canada, Curacao, Europe, New Zealand.
• Learn Chinese in China: for example in Beijing.
• Become a divemaster and teach diving: Greece, Egypt, Indonesia.
• Learn German: Germany (Berlin), Austria, or Switzerland.
• Learn English abroad: Australia (Sydney), England (Brighton, Cambridge, London), Canada (Toronto), Ireland (Dublin), the United States (New York, San Francisco), Malta, South Africa (Cape Town).
• Learn French: France (Biarritz, Nice, Paris), Switzerland.
• Learn Italian in Italy: Florence, Rome, Siena, Venice.
• Learn Spanish in Spain: Barcelona, ​​Granada, Malaga, Madrid, San Sebastian, Seville, Tenerife, Valencia.
• Learn Spanish in the Caribbean: Cuba, Dominican Republic.
• Learn Spanish in Central America: Costa Rica (Turrialba), Guatemala (Antigua), Panama (Bocas del Toro).
• Learn Spanish in South America: Argentina (Bariloche, Buenos Aires), Ecuador, Peru.
• Learn Swahili in Africa: Kenya (Kilifi), Tanzania (Zanzibar).
• Volunteering with children or the elderly: you can do volunteer work in almost any country in the world. Check the country pages for an indication of the work or projects.
• Volunteering as an animal caretaker: Australia (koalas, kangaroos, horses), Curacao (dolphins, dogs, cats), Indonesia (orangutans, street dogs), South Africa (monkeys, cheetahs, sharks, penguins, rhinos, elephants).
• Volunteering: protect sea turtles: Sri Lanka, Costa Rica.
• Travel the world: Southeast Asia, Latin America and Australia.

What are the risks of a gap year abroad?

• Your health insurance coverage may lapse if, for example, you go and will work abroad.
• You may suffer from homesickness and want to go home earlier (but there is a lot you can do about it, and prepare for it!).
• You may have problems with the organization with which you are going abroad (read more about solving problems abroad).
• What are the consequences if, for example, you end up in a hospital?
• If you end up in a hospital, you may have to pay the costs yourself if you have not taken out insurance that covers your activities.

Are you insured for a gap year abroad? 

• A gap year abroad can be covered by your current travel and health insurance if you do not go abroad for too long, and do not undertake paid work or special activities. In most cases, special insurance is recommended or really necessary.
• Read more: Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - Theme
• Read more: Vezekeren van een tussenjaar het buitenland (NL)