Sometimes, you just need a break, whether you’ve left school, graduated university, or you’re taking a sabbatical from work. But coming up with gap year ideas can be tough, and you may be asking yourself: is a gap year a good idea? What would I even do?
Remember, a gap “year” could be a few weeks or months, it does not need to be a full year — there are no rules! No matter how long you go for, we think gap years are a valuable experience for anyone.
Continuing in a job you don’t enjoy or committing to a degree you’re unsure about could burn you out… so why not make a difference to your life and the wider world?
What do we mean? Well, read on to find out!
1) Travel the world
Gap years and travelling often go hand-in-hand. It’s a popular choice, and for good reason. Travelling is a learning experience, giving you the chance to discover new cultures, languages, ideas, and more — all part of developing a global mindset. We think gap years are ideal, as the longer you’re away (and the more you can see) the better!
From jungles to beaches, there's a big world out there. What better time to explore it than now?
Here's our top pick of things to do on a gap year abroad:
2) Volunteer abroad with a gap year programme
When coming up with gap year ideas, volunteering is something that often goes under the radar. However, not only can it be incredibly rewarding for you and the community you work in, but it can also be an exciting and enjoyable experience.
You’ll contribute to the success of local communities, learn new skills, make friends, and increase your confidence. It will also be an excellent way to see new parts of the world and gain new perspectives on global issues.
Make sure you choose a gap year programme that you’re passionate about. You could do Childcare, Conservation, Building, or any of our other volunteer abroad opportunities.
Volunteering overseas may just be the best decision you ever make (and a lot of people would agree)!
3) Have authentic experiences
Travelling for more than a few weeks gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in a new culture. You could learn local crafts, cooking skills, and languages while visiting the main sights of a new country or region!
On one of our bespoke gap programmes lasting 4-10 weeks, you’ll get to live and learn as local people do. Our expert guides will teach you about a region’s history, culture, and traditions, while taking you to the hidden places many tourists never see. You’ll also get to develop new skills while volunteering in various fields along the way.
These specially crafted gap year trips give you completely new perspectives and experiences. You can even combine them all together into one truly unforgettable global gap year.
Many of our projects also include a host family option! This means you get to live with locals, giving you instant and unparalleled access to the culture, cuisine, and customs of people in that country. You might even make new friends that last a lifetime!
Seize this opportunity for a truly immersive introduction to new parts of the world. Find out more about where you could go on our gap programmes page.
"I would recommend it 100%, because you see so many parts of the world and experience so many adventures. You meet a lot of locals and get to know everyone in your group with each their own background and culture. You can learn so much from all of them. If you're in for the adventure, you should go for it."
- Mandy J, Global Gap volunteer
4) Learn a language
It’s a fact that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it entirely. Interacting with local people, asking questions, reading street signs, watching TV — the list goes on.
That means if travelling features high on your list of current priorities, then learning a new language should too! There is no better time to try.
Learning a major international language, like Spanish, will benefit anyone looking to improve their CV. Plus, a second language is an incredibly useful tool to have. For more information, take a look at the study abroad and language courses we offer.
5) Boost your CV with an internship abroad
Another way to spend your gap year is by gaining practical work experience in the field you are interested in. This will help you stand out during the application process for university or your first few jobs.
We provide a variety of internships including Medicine & Healthcare, Law & Human Rights, Journalism, and more. This experience will provide you with skills and confidence to benefit you in your studies or career, and working abroad will develop your independence and adaptability. You’ll also have some great stories to add to your CV or draw on in job interviews.
Whatever you do, enjoy your gap year
There is no good or bad way to spend your gap year in 2025. It is your reward for working hard and your chance to explore the world at your own pace.
Just bear in mind that employers may want to know how you spent your time off. Volunteer work, knowledge of a second language, travel, and work experience are all valuable additions to a CV and excellent to talk about in an interview.
If you’re on the fence about booking, just ask yourself — when will you have the time to do something like this again?
Now that you’ve got some gap year ideas, it’s time to start thinking about planning your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Luckily, we’ve produced a blog to help with that, too!
Ready to plan your gap year?
Our Project Experts can help craft your perfect gap year experience — they’re always ready for a chat, and can help build the perfect itinerary for you. Contact us to get started!
Want to know more about our Projects?
Get in touch with our Projects Experts. They'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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