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The gap year is interesting and memorable moments in one’s life so it requires adequate, careful and proper planning. The gap year is a time when we ponder more on our life and the things we want to achieve or do later on in life. Usually, after a successful gap year, you will return feeling more refreshed, brand new and sure about what next you want to do.
Planning a successful gap year requires lots of goals and purpose you would like to achieve, though it doesn’t have to be that perfect. It is beneficial to anyone who did it because you get to learn about various cultures, languages, safety tips, etc. before you are set to do that either dependently or independently.
It also requires doing lots of research about where you want to do, what you need to take along with you, how to go about with your traveling etc.
Written below are tips that will guide you on how to plan a successful gap year:
1. Think about the places to go on a gap year
First and foremost, when planning a gap year you need to understand the goals you want to achieve during the gap year, doing this will serve as a guide when you want to select the country you want to travel to because not every country is fit for any goal.
Even after selecting the best destination, it is required of you to study the country’s foreign travel advice if they have one because of some countries that specific rules and regulations concerning foreigners.
Also, consider about the best time or season to travel to your selected country, make researches about the countries weather conditions as of the time you want to travel, will it be suitable for you or not. Don’t forget to know if they have any cultural festivals or religious beliefs or observances you need to know before you go there.
Request for helps either from people or online about things you can do during your gap year.
2. Who does want to travel with?
You can decide on who you want to travel with make sure they are people who have almost the same goals and interest as yours in other to enjoy your gap year.
Travelling with people during your gap has lots of advantages and benefits you will enjoy such as: keeping your company when you are bored, help you in the sharing of costs of the things you need to pay for, make you feel safer and secure whenever you go to a new place where you don’t really understand their languages.
Though at first the thoughts of going with people or friends may be discouraging, the more the merrier. Besides going with people or friends will help boost your self-esteem, increase your relationship and communication skills, and increase your networking skills by meeting new people.
3. Get Money for your expenses
There are different methods of raising money to pay for your gap year. You can either request for sponsors from friends and family, get a good paying part-time job, request for bank loans or loans from friends or family, selling of hand made things or things you don’t need anymore either online or garage sales or car boot sales.
Ensure that the money you’ve realized will be enough and sufficient for your travels. Based on the researches and inquiries you’ve done you can create a budget list in other to be able to manage funds and control your spending properly.
4. Book your travel ticket
What means of transportation do you want to travel with? Is it by road or by air or by rails? Whichever way it is you want to travel go ahead to book a ticket once you’ve already made up your mind about where you want to go to. You can go online to make inquiries about how to book a ticket with travel agencies then you choose the one that aligns with want you want and what you have.
5. Do the needful
Before you travel for your gap year there are essential things you must do and they include:
A visit to healthcare for various medical tests, vaccinations against some diseases like malaria, and also some medications.
Ensure that you have a valid passport that will cover the duration of your stay and also request for a tourist or holiday visas.
Ensure that the travel insurance got you covered in some areas.
Ensure that you are well grounded in the country’s customs, cultures, and traditions.
Let your bank know that you are traveling abroad and let them know the duration of your stay there.
6. Pack and Buy essential things
When planning on the things you need to pack and buy for your trip you can go online to make researches about the essential things you need to take along with you, buy backpacks that won’t hurt your back, towels, comfortable clothes and sweaters, and shoes for different purposes either for jogging or for party or for meetings.
7. Prepare for your gap year return
After enjoying a wonderful time during your gap year, you need to prepare well and plan-ahead in other to avoid post-holiday blues worries and troubles.
Ensure that you have enough money that will be sufficient for your flight back home, your upkeeps and rents before you can find another part-time or full-time job.
Besides in other to have an upper hand when you apply for jobs, you can upgrade your CV with the experiences skills and knowledge that you have acquired during your gap year travels.
You can also make temporary plans pending the time you are able to pick up a suitable job. You can apply for internship positions with companies you’ll like to work with. Another idea is to update your skills by learning to enroll for one or two courses online. Whatever your decisions are, make sure you are well-prepared for your return.
