Gap Year Abroad

While the concept of a gap year abroad has been popular in places like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for decades, it was not until recently that young adults from the US really started to pick up on the idea. For anyone not familiar, a gap year abroad is a break from formal education where you focus more on your informal education, i.e. learning about different cultures, traveling, and of course meeting tons of people from all over the world. Your options are limited only by your imagination and determination to make it happen, and the experience can be whatever you make it – from a surf trip down the coast of South America to partying your way through Europe to volunteering at an elephant orphanage in Kenya.

In this guide we will cover these questions:

• Does a gap year have to be a year?
• When do you take a gap year abroad?
• Where do people commonly go on a gap year abroad?
• How do people afford a gap year abroad?
• Can you work on a gap year?
• Is a gap year abroad dangerous?
• Do you stay in one place or are you moving around?
• Where do you live on a gap year?
• What kind of transportation do you use during a gap year?
• What kind of documents do you need for a gap year abroad?

Does a gap year have to be a year?

No! A lot of people are put off by the “year” part because they think it makes the whole idea sound impossible. Some people do take a year, but many also go abroad for a few weeks, months, a semester, or whatever they can make work.

When do you take a gap year abroad?

Most people take a gap year after graduating from college, but some do it before college or even during. One of the best things about a gap year abroad is that you are in control of the when, what, where, etc. As you first start planning, however, the “when” part is one of the first things you’ll want to nail down.

Where do people commonly go on a gap year abroad?

It can truly be anywhere, but popular choices include Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. Some people like to log as many countries as possible, while others want to learn about a specific culture and get a real feel for life there. Even if you do decide to just visit one country, you should absolutely try to travel as much as possible within the country to take advantage of your time there.

How do people afford a gap year abroad?

A gap year abroad remains a pipe dream for a lot of people because they assume it’s like a year-long vacation. Unless you come from a very wealthy (and generous) family, you’re probably not going to be flying all over Europe, racking up restaurant and hotel expenses for a year straight. The vast majority of people on a gap year live pretty frugally, often taking long-distance bus trips, eating local street food, and sleeping in shared hostel rooms. People typically work and save before they leave home, then carefully plan their budget to stretch their dollars as far as possible. Some people also crowdfund part of their trip or volunteer somewhere that helps cover accommodations.

Can you work on a gap year?

Absolutely. If you can somehow arrange for a year of no responsibilities, then more power to you, but many people work on a gap year abroad as a way to help cover their daily expenses. Hospitality work like in a bar or hostel, teaching English to locals, agricultural work, and childcare are all common gap year jobs.

Is a gap year abroad dangerous?

It’s common to read that going to a foreign country is just as dangerous as going to any big city in the US, but that’s kind of a misguided way to think about it. Just the fact that you’re a foreigner in a different culture, potentially with a different language, changes the dynamic quite a bit. You can run into problems in rural China that you won’t face in Chicago, and vice-versa. Recognize that you are going somewhere completely different, read and research as much as possible beforehand, then keep your wits about you while you’re there. Don’t get so drunk you’re an easy target, don’t go into sketchy areas by yourself, and don’t assume your bag will be safe anywhere that’s not under lock and key. Any time you’re in a new place, you’re opening yourself up to new risks, but planning and commonsense will help keep you as safe as possible abroad.

Do you stay in one place or are you moving around?

It’s up to you, and there are pros and cons to both. A backpacking trek across multiple countries is exciting and will let you truly travel the globe, but will also involve tons of travel time, getting lost, and potentially stressful moments dealing with transportation/lodging/language issues. A gap year in a single place won’t let you experience as many cultures, but will give you a better opportunity to learn a local language and create a home away from home.

Where do you live on a gap year?

The classic idea of a gap year is bouncing from hostel to hostel, spending a week or two in each, but there are many other options. If you’re planning to stay in one place for a while, a homestay with a local family can provide a one-of-a-kind insight into life in your new country, or you may be able to find a shared apartment with friends or locals.

What kind of transportation do you use during a gap year?

People usually fly somewhere and then rely on buses, taxis, trains, the subway, mopeds, bikes, burros, whatever to get where they’re going in-country. Most people do not buy or rent a car, though that would certainly have its benefits.

What kind of documents do you need for a gap year abroad?

First off, you’ll need a passport, then the proper visa for the country (or countries) you intend to visit. If you are planning to work there, you’ll need to ensure that you have the proper paperwork completed, and may need certified translations of important documents into the local language. A gap year abroad is an adventure with lots of unexpected surprises, but you don’t want legal issues to be one of them.