As your teen approaches the end of high school, they will be confronted with a major decision: go straight to university or take a gap year? There is no easy answer to this question, as both options are good, and the right choice depends on your teen’s circumstances and personal ambitions. Yet, in recent years, an increasing number of students are choosing to take some time off after high school to develop themselves as individuals.
Taking a gap year is actually a fantastic way to gain personal insight and valuable life skills, broaden their horizons and try new things before starting college. Read on if your teen is also considering taking a gap year before going to university, you will find valuable advice to support them during this incredible life-changing experience.
What is a gap year?
A gap year is a period of time between graduating from high school and starting university when young adults take a break from studying in order to travel and concentrate on their personal growth. This period does not necessarily have to be a full 12-months. It can also be shorter. The bottom line is that, regardless of how long your teen’s gap year lasts, this break will give them time to reflect on their life projects, acquire soft skills and soak up all the life experience they can.
Pros and cons of taking a gap year
A gap year is a great opportunity for young adults to learn about themselves and the world, but this is not always the right choice for everyone. It is important parents play a role when taking this important decision, since this is also a milestone in their lives. If your teen is interested in taking a gap year, but are not sure if it is the right thing for them, here are few pros and cons you -and them- should think about :
Pro: discover themselves and the world
A year abroad is the perfect opportunity for the young to gain some life experience outside school and get to know themselves and their personal resources much better. Whether they decide to travel, work or volunteer, they will be confronted to unexpected challenges and will have the opportunity to discover their passions.
Pro: they will be better prepared for university
A gap year, especially if they travel abroad, will give your teen a better sense of who they are. They will come back recharged, more mature and independent. They will have a better idea of what they want to do with their life and what their ambitions are.
Pro: better results at university
Parents are often concerned that a gap year might disrupt their children’s academic drive. However, research shows that when used constructively, gap years can actually help students gain skills that will have a positive impact in their academic performance, since they help to develop maturity and open-mindedness.
In fact, gap year students have been shown to be more active on campus and achieve better results. On the other hand, if your teenager already knows which university course they want to study when they return, they can actually choose to apply for a deferred entry. This will give you peace of mind as they will have a guaranteed place at university after their gap year.
Con: Gap years are expensive
Gap years can be costly, especially if they involve overseas travel. Good travel organisation and a thorough financial planning are essential. Encourage your teen to save up in advance and set up a weekly budget. Travel essentials such as flight tickets, travel insurance or visas should be booked well in advance. Once at their destination, it is always possible to find a part-time job.
Con: Fear of being left behind
Many teens fear that they will feel left behind from friends who will go straight to university, go to parties and develop other relationships. While this fear is understandable, it is also true that everybody’s life path is different. Your teen will also move on with their lives, make new friends and have great experiences. It will only be a temporary separation, and friendship will remain if it is genuine.
Con: Getting homesick
If your teenager has decided to do their gap year abroad, there may be a feeling of homesickness at some point. This is understandable and normal, especially if it is their first experience abroad. In order to cope with the loneliness, it is important to remember that homesickness is not a permanent feeling and that there are things they can do to deal with it, such as calling home, eating familiar food or bringing something with them that reminds them of home. Another good tip is to remind them why they are there and how much they will learn from the experience.
Australia, a great destination for a gap year
Exploring the world and discovering new cultures is one of the best experiences a young adult can live during a gap year. In this sense, Australia is a great destination. This immense country boasts stunning natural beauty, unique landscapes and vibrant cities. Culturally very similar to UK, but cooler and more laid-back, the land down under attracts every year thousands of high school graduates in search of adventure. At the same time, there are a lot of gap year options available for those who decide to spend some time in this country. These are some of the most popular:
Working – Australia is well-known among the young for its Working Holiday visa program. People under thirty can work and travel the country for a period of one year. This allows to a large extent the financing of this year spent abroad and can even help to save money for university. The most popular jobs among holders of the Working Holiday Visa are jobs in the hospitality, retail, or agriculture, but it is also possible to work as an au pair, or doing an internship in an Australian company. The Working Holiday visa also allows to study in the country for a period of up to four months.
Volunteering – Although Australia is not the first place that comes to mind when considering volunteer programs, the country offers many programs of this type which give participants to discover the country’s great outdoors and wildlife. There is a myriad of volunteer programs, from community development to working with indigenous communities and refugees or working with animals or in nature preservation projects.
Travelling - Whether combined with a work or volunteer program or just for fun, a gap year in Australia is a great opportunity to explore this diverse and unique country. There are endless places to explore on a gap year in Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the rust-red outback and cities like Sydney and Melbourne. A real once-in-a-lifetime experience. If your teen is not planning to work in Australia and wants mainly to travel around the country, they can apply for an e-visitor Visa instead of the Working Holiday Visa. The e-visitor visa is cheaper and quicker to obtain and it is the best option if you are travelling to the country mainly for tourism.
Choosing the right gap year program depends on the teenager's interests, budget, desired location and the time they want to spend in Australia. They should also consider whether they want to volunteer, work and/or just travel around the country. Finding something matching your teen’ interests should not be difficult, as there is a wide offer of good programs available
Travel planning essentials
Once the decision has been made to spend their gap year overseas, it is essential to make a number of preparations well in advance. This will save money and avoid unpleasant surprises at the last minute. To make your teenager's gap year a success, here is a list of essential things to do well in advance:
Do some in-depth research about their destination, including culture, public health system, local laws or banking system
Book a gap year program with a trustworthy company and make sure it is ATOL registered
Once they have chosen their gap year destination, book flights as early as possible to get a better price
Take out a good travel insurance which can provide financial cover for any eventuality
Make sure that your teen have all the vaccinations they need for their trip.
Ensure your teen has a valid passport throughout their stay in the country.
Apply for the right visa in advance. Depending on their plans, your teenager may need to apply for one type of visa or another. The eVisitor visa for Australia, which can be applied for online, is a multiple entry visa valid for 12 months. Although it is a tourist visa, it allows to study in the country for up to three months and to do voluntary work under certain conditions. However, paid work is not permitted. If your teenager intends to work to fund their stay, the best option is the Working Holiday Visa.
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