A gap year can be an amazing experience where you take time out from studying or working and do something different like travelling and exploring the world. There are literally hundreds of amazing gap year activities in so many countries, and the hard part really is choosing what to do.
If you are thinking about taking a gap year and need some inspiration we have put together a list of some of the most popular ideas.
1. Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand
Thailand is a really amazing country to visit with modern cities, beautiful beaches and also exotic wildlife. There are lots of ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand and some offer the chance to volunteer and help these beautiful animals. This is one of the most rewarding things you can do and a great way to learn more about these animals, the conservation work being done to protect them and also meet inspiration people trying to protect them.
2. Working Holiday in Australia
Australia really is one of the best gap year destinations with a warm outdoors climate, inconic cities and also some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. If you dream of visiting Australia one of the best ways to experience the country is to apply for a working holiday. This allows you to live and work in the country, earn money, integrate into the local society and explore the country in your spare time.
3. Study a Language
A popular option is to use your gap year to enhance your learning and study a language. There are lots of language schools around the world where are you can book classes, improve your skills, meet new people, integrate into a new culture and see new places.
Options include studying French in France, studying Spanish in Spain, studying Portuguese in Brazil or studying Japanese in Japan – just to name a few. Where are you go really depends on your own personal interest but you can find great value courses in so many destinations all year round.
4. Work at a Summer Camp
Working at summer camp in the United States is a very popular way to spend your summer. This job is very popular with students as you get to live in the USA and travel in your spare time to see new places. Imagine living and working somewhere like New York, this certainly beats staying in your home town and once camp finishes you’ll get time to see places before departing. There are also summer camps all around the world which hire staff in places like France, Spain, Austria and Germany.
5. Small Group Tours
If you are very keen to see new places but you don’t want to travel by yourself or you can’t find anybody to go with you might want to book a tour. There are lots of top rated travel companies offering tours around the world for short and long durations.
You could visit a specific city explore a whole country or travel overland and see a whole continent. Popular companies to book tours with include Contiki and G Adventures, both of which are two leading operators helping thousands of travellers to see the world every year. Trips to consider include Machu Picchu, Route 66, city hopping in Europe or island hopping in Asia.
6. Backpack South East Asia
South East Asia is a backpacker mecca due to the endless adventures available here. There are so many amazing destinations in south east Asia, countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos offer so much in terms of culture, history and stunning places to go. There are so many different itineraries you can do to see the highlights, either independently or by booking a structured trip with an international travel operator.
Popular destinations include Bali, Bangkok, the beautiful Thai islands, Siem Reap, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Luang Prabang. Must do activities include seeing the Angkor temples, taking part in the full moon party, learning to scuba dive, going in search of the best beach, surfing in Bali and travelling the coast of Vietnam.
7. New Zealand Adventure
If you plan a trip to New Zealand you can experience one of the best outdoor and adventure destinations in the world. New Zealand is one of the best backpacker destinations, this country is perfect for travellers and there is a great tourism infrastructure and a fast modern transport network connecting the whole country.
There are so many adventures sports available to do in both the north and south islands. In places like Queenstown you can go on some of the scariest bungee jumps in the world, or go skydiving, do a canyon swing, hike glaciers, do a jet boat trip or go skiing or snowboarding
8. Work a Ski Season
Working a winter ski season can be a really fun experience and there are positions in Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific.
Roles can include ski instructors, chalet staff, au pairs, cooks and hospitality staff. France, Austria and Switzerland are popular destinations whilst you could apply to work in Canada, this country is really spectacular country to visit with breathtaking scenery and world famous tourist locations.
If you plan a trip to Canada not only can you visit cities like Toronto and Vancouver, you can also go see the spectacular mountains which have the best ski resorts in the world. Amazing places to apply include Whistler, Big White, Lake Louise and Mont-Tremblant. Check out a website like Seasonal Jobs Abroad to apply.
9. Go on a Safari in Africa
Booking a safari it really is a bucket list adventure and something that you need to do once in your life. There are so many destinations in Africa where you can see exotic wildlife like elephants, lions, tigers, giraffes and rhinos. Popular countries to visit include South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania – all major tourism hotspots with amazing wildlife parks. You could also visit Uganda and see the endangered mountain gorillas – this really is a unique and special experience.
10. Teach English in Japan
If you like the idea of living and working in a different country appeals to you then teaching English abroad is a great avenue to consider. There are TEFL certification courses which provide you with a worldwide recognised qualification allowing you to live and work as an English teacher around the world. You can apply for jobs in most countries although in Asia there is a huge demand and high salaries. We highly recommend Japan which has super modern cities, friendly people, tasty food and incredible tourist attractions. To start your teaching career visit Book My TEFL Course.
A gap year really can change your life and there really are so many amazing ideas for things you could do. Hopefully our list has given you some suggestions for some of the most popular activities. If you enjoyed this article you might view our guide to the best places to visit on a gap year.
