Organising and Planning Your Gap Year

Deciding to take a gap year is a big step, but actually organising a gap year is even bigger. Many organisations and websites exist to help you plan your perfect gap year, but unfortunately none of them can actually do the work for you. Instead, you need to sit down, do the research and make the decisions that will lead to the year you'll never forget.

Prepare a Budget

A large part of planning for and organising your gap year will depend upon your budget. Before settling on any particular trip or itinerary, consider the money you have available to fund:

• Air travel.
• Ground travel, including trains, buses and private taxis.
• Clothes and specialised equipment for your journey.
• Food.
• Accommodation.
• Specialised work or voluntary programmes.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• Admission to tours and sites.
• Internet access and telephone calls.

Draw Up Interest Lists

In addition to preparing a budget, preparing a list of your interests or goals for your gap year will be invaluable to organising your trip. Think about:

• Places you would like to travel.
• Sites you would like to see.
• Skills you would like to sharpen.
• Challenges you would like to overcome.
• Voluntary work you would like to do.
• Educational experiences you would like to explore.
• Work experiences in which you would like to participate.

Research, Research, Research

When you have an idea of the funds at your disposal and what you would like to get out of your gap year, begin to research your options. Investigate:

• Companies and websites that can help you plan your gap year.
• Organisations that offer structured gap year programmes.
  • Be sure to check on exact terms and conditions.
• The country and regions to which you will travel.
  • Check in with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for travel advisories.
  • Check on visas or other immigration paperwork that may be required.
  • Look into the cultural or religious mores of the areas you plan to visit.
• Obtaining travel insurance, immunisations and immunisation certificates.
• Freezing your gym/library/video shop memberships.
• Notifying your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans.
• How to defer a place at university or a serious job offer.
• If you can obtain certification or recognition from skills and/or programmes completed during your gap year.
• If you need to obtain a written evaluation or confirmation of your successful completion of your gap year programme.
• Recommendations from seasoned travellers.
• Recommendations from veteran gap year explorers.

Organising and planning a successful gap year takes time. Begin the process at least a year in advance to make sure that you have enough time to complete every item on your checklist. Begin broaching the subject with your parents, teachers and career counsellors even earlier so that you can tap them for ideas and enlist their help with your preparations. While organising and planning a gap year may make you want to tear your hair out at times, remain calm and you can be assured that your preparations will all be worth it in the end. Enjoy!