There are many opportunities and options available to you during your gap year. You can choose to:
Work
Take a course
Travel
Combine any of the above!
If you choose to get a job, think about the skills you would like to develop. If you are very shy but you would like to work on your communication skills, a job in customer service (at a shop or as a receptionist) could be ideal. Keep a learning journal of the skills you have already and those you wish to develop and think about creative ways you could develop a useful skill set.
If you would like to take a course, think about what knowledge might benefit you either personally or for a future university degree. If you want to become a medic for example, a phlebotomy course might be ideal training (see https://www.phlebotomy.org.uk/courses/)
Traveling abroad is a great way for young adults to learn about global citizenship, community engagement, develop a deeper understanding of the world’s problems and experience a new culture. Many Gap Year companies sends thousands of teenagers abroad every year through specially designed projects, intended to fully immerse and challenge students in a variety of different ways. Students can look forward to making a difference in Africa, Latin America, Asia, or Europe.
Gap year travel programmes no longer need to last a whole year . They can be as short as 2 weeks, all the way up to 6 months! Whether you fancy slotting in a couple of weeks making a difference on a gap year volunteer project, or learning a range of soft and practical skills on a long-term internship abroad, there are many opportunities available for your year out. How about getting stuck into marine conservation and research in the remote Seychelles islands, helping to rehabilitate elephants into the wild in Thailand, or teaching English to Buddhist Monks in Laos? You can do multiple projects in multiple countries and come back home in between to work to raise funds for your next adventure.
Some popular Gap Year companies who arrange excursions are: