Should I go on a gap year alone?
The thought of going somewhere new and knowing no one is enough to worry even the most independent of people. For most students, “Should I go on a gap year alone?” is one of the first questions they ask when they start planning their year out.
On this page, we've included reasons why you should go on a gap year alone, and reasons why you won't be on your own for long.
Top tip: When you ask yourself “Should I go on a gap year alone?”, think about what you'd like to get out of your gap year. Then think about how much more satisfying it will to have achieved it by yourself!
 |
Should I go on a gap year alone? - Yes, it's a chance to learn about yourself
Scary though it might seem, being away from your family and friends for a short time can be a chance to get to know yourself better. You might surprise yourself, too. Maybe your mum's always thought of you as shy, and that's how you consider yourself too. But should you go on a gap year alone, you might find yourself in front of 30 children, leading them in a rendition of If you're happy and you know it.... Are you sure you're shy?! |
Should I go on a gap year alone? - Yes, it's a chance to learn about yourself
Scary though it might seem, being away from your family and friends for a short time can be a chance to get to know yourself better. You might surprise yourself, too. Maybe your mum's always thought of you as shy, and that's how you consider yourself too. But should you go on a gap year alone, you might find yourself in front of 30 children, leading them in a rendition of If you're happy and you know it.... Are you sure you're shy?!
Should I go on a gap year alone? - Yes, you'll probably get more out of it
Having been on a gap year alone, you might find you're glad you didn't go with a friend. It often means you'll make more of an effort to get to know other people. Should you decide to go on a gap year with a friend, you're likely to be tempted to stick with their company.
Should I go on a gap year alone? - Yes, you won't really be alone - You'll meet lots of other like-minded people
If you're asking yourself: “Should I go on a gap year alone?”, the chances are that other people are too. When you meet them on your project or while travelling, you'll have two things in common immediately - being a bit nervous and wanting to see the world!
Should I go on a gap year alone? - Yes, you won't really be alone - Join our buddy list
When you book onto one of our programmes, your travel adviser will ask if you'd like to be added to the buddy list. This is a list of email addresses for people who are doing the same project as you. You can swap emails (and worries), and even arrange to catch the same plane if you want, so you'll know people before you even arrive.
Should I go on a gap year course? - Yes, you can take our safety course if you want to
We can offer a tried and tested safety course to make you feel more confident about going on a gap year alone. It covers everything from first aid to terrorism, and was even used by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman before they did Long Way Round. If it's good enough for them…! You'll never be 100 per cent safe anywhere, but this course will show you how to minimise the risks of taking a gap year alone.
Still wondering: Should I go on a gap year alone? At Real Gap, our answer would always be an emphatic “Yes!” But, if like most people, you still have questions, give one of our travel advisers a call.
|
