Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7. Learning abroad
While your gap-year will inevitably be about personal growth, because of all the new things
you experience and see you could build on this by using it as an opportunity to combine
living and studying abroad.
This might not seem appealing if you've just 'escaped' from a period of intense study and
exams, but consider this:
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The learning doesn't have to be goal-oriented or laden with exam stress, you could
learn a new skill and gain a qualification.
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You could pursue an interest, hobby or passion you haven't had time for before.
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You'll be able to explore and enrich your knowledge in your own way, rather than
following a curriculum.
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You could also find you've added another dimension to your CV.
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You'll meet like-minded folk and have a lot of fun.
These are some of the things you could do: learn a language in-country, do a sports in-
structor course, music or drama summer schools, explore art, music, culture and learn about
conservation. If you're not jaded with study or are at a time of life when a postgraduate
qualification would be useful, and a career break possible, you could go for an academic
year abroad. Another option for those of you who want to try to earn while you travel is to
do a TEFL course.
Here's a good weblink for courses abroad: www.studyabroaddirectory.com
An academic year abroad
A good way of getting to know a place and its people in depth is to spend a whole academic
year at a foreign school, either in Europe, the USA, or further afield. One possibility is an
academic year before university:
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French Lycée
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German Gymnasium
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School in Spain
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Spanish-speaking school in Argentina
