10 Ways to Spend Your Gap Year Abroad

So, you’ve decided to take a gap year… now what?

Figuring out how to spend your time abroad can be challenging. Especially while trying to remain within your budget and accomplish all your goals. Here are 10 enriching ways you can spend your gap year abroad.

  1. Au Pair

    Au Pairs are essentially live-in nannies that come from another country. Sites like AuPair and Global Work & Travel are agencies that can help you find a host family abroad and settle into your new home. Au Pairing generally entails free meals and accommodation, as well as a monthly stipend, in exchange for taking care of children or the elderly.

  2. Volunteer

    Organizations like IVHQ, GoEco, and Global Work & Travel can help you find volunteer placements in other countries. With rates generally as low as 20$ per day, you can find yourself working in marine conservation, at a kindergarten, or a women’s centre, all in exchange for free food and accommodation. Oftentimes, activities and extras like airport pickup are included as well.

  3. WWOOF

    A great way to make friends and get to know the local way of life is to work on a farm. Via WWOOF, you can find tons of opportunities on farms all across the world. You might find yourself harvesting fruit in Italy, tutoring children in Iceland, or helping build structures on a farm in Romania. WWOOFers often have weekends free and can find themselves working with other travellers, and staying in accomodations that range anywhere from a private room to a tent or trailer.

  4. Work at a hostel in exchange for free accommodation

    Sites like Worldpackers and Workaway can help you find a job abroad. The most popular option being working in a hostel in exchange for free accommodation. In addition to having your room and board covered, working in a hostel is a great way to meet more international travellers and make friends while abroad.

  5. Teach English abroad

    Be it volunteer or with a TESL certification, teaching English abroad is a great way to get to know a culture and its people, all while bringing your skills to the table. For volunteer opportunities, check out sites like Global Work & Travel, GoEco, or IVHQ. For paid opportunities, Global Work & Travel and Teachaway are your ultimate resource.

  6. Backpack Southeast Asia

    Southeast Asia has become a travel hotspot for backpackers around the globe. From the budget-friendly options, to delicious food, and loads of opportunities for hikes and activities, Southeast Asia is an ultimate gap year destination.

  7. Inter-rail Europe

    There’s a reason Inter-railing Europe is so popular, obtaining the rail pass makes it incredibly easy to travel and see different parts of Europe at a low cost. For even cheaper travel, be sure to book night trains, this saves you a night of accommodation. For European citizens, book an Interrail pass. For non-European citizens, book a Eurail pass.

  8. Work at a summer camp

    For those looking to add something to their CV, all while being guaranteed free meals and accommodation, Camp America might be the right choice. They allow you to create a profile highlighting your own skills and will help you find a job at a summer camp in the United States.

  9. Learn a language in a different country

    Looking to be more culturally immersed and to learn throughout your stay in another country? Workaway lets you find a “language buddy” abroad; they will teach you your desired language, and in exchange you’ll teach them yours.

  10. Go on working holiday

    For those who don’t want to lose an income but are craving travel and adventure, a working holiday is a great choice. Working holiday implies getting a work permit or visa in the country of your choice. These usually are for periods of 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years, allowing you to get a taste of a different part of the world, all while obtaining a steady financial stream. Agencies like Global Work & Travel can help travellers who don’t wish to go through the application process on their own.

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How I’m planning my gap year