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Gap years

What is a Gap Year?

Firstly, it is rarely a year. ‘Taking a gap’ is a more accurate expression, but most people are happy to use the expression ‘gap year’ with its wider meaning. It is also called a year out or time out. A gap year is ‘defined as a period of time between 3 and 24 months which an individual takes 'out' of formal education, training or the workplace where that time sits in the context of a longer term career trajectory.’ (Review of Gap Year Provision by Dr Andrew Jones, published by the DfES on 29 July 2004.)

There are 3 broad categories of gap years.

A student who defers their university place probably has 15 months between school and university. Equally, there can be 4 months between school and going to university in which many ‘gap type’ activities can take place, without deferring a place.

‘Career gaps’ could be a month or two long, either with the support of the employer and with a job to return to, or resigning and expecting to find a new job after the gap. The intention is often to renew batteries or look for a new direction in life.Many companies now have an enlightened view of career breaks, an extension of the sabbaticals which many people teaching overseas receive. They realise that breaks allow staff to acquire new skills and that it is better to retain quality, motivated staff than to keep unhappy staff whose heart is not in the job.

If you are thinking of asking for a career break, some tips:

Before asking, wait until you have worked for the company for a number of years!
Research your case well.
Present it to your employer showing the benefits to the organisation as well as to yourself.
Give your employer plenty of notice – six months at least.
Think about how you will present your career break to a new employer.
View it as career development.
Involve your friends and family all the time.

For those in retirement, ‘taking a gap’ can be the chance to catch up on missed opportunities or devote time to a freer more adventurous life style. Two or three gaps a year are not unusual, differing from holidays in that they tend to involve travelling with a purpose.
You have a choice – arrange it yourself, get a company to do it for you or a combination of both. It’s your decision, based on value for money and the time you have to make your plans.

Don’t forget, there are many worthwhile things to do in your own country, as well as abroad.

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Responsible Travel Tips

When we visit wonderful places it's natural to want our experience to have a positive impact on the local people and their environments.

Responsible travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get a little bit more out of your travels, and give a little bit more back to destinations and local people.

All holidays have positive and negative impacts locally.

Responsible travel maximises the benefits, and minimises the negative effects of tourism. Think!

Plan your route to minimise carbon emissions - travel by train and public transport where possible, and minimise internal flights. There are some great ideas for train travel almost anywhere in the world.
The worst carbon emissions are emitted during take off and landing. For the flights that you cannot avoid, offset the carbon emissions of your flight using our carbon calculator . That way the money is invested in carbon reducing initiatives around the world.
Ask to see the tour operator's policy for responsible tourism. All responsibletravel.com members have to have one. Make sure it explains how they minimise environmental impacts and support the local economy.
Read up on local cultures and learn a few words of the local language - travelling with respect earns you respect.
Remove all excess packaging - waste disposal is difficult in remote places and developing countries.
Ask your tour operator whether there are local conservation or social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them, whilst on holiday.
Buy local produce in preference to imported goods.
Hire a local guide - you'll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income.
Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts.
Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places - if in doubt ask advice or don't visit.
Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient - its a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
Use water sparingly - its very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people.
Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong - cultivate the habit of asking questions (rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers).