Planning a gap year

Real Gap's Gap Year Planner

Gap year adventures - don't the very words make you smile?! They do us. At Real Gap Experience, the words gap year adventures conjure up images of beaches, mountains and jungles, memories of friends we're still in contact with and experiences we'll never, ever forget. Gap year adventures come in all lengths and costs - it's up to you to make the most of it.

Long or short?

It's entirely up to you how long your gap year adventure is. You can spend as little as a week abroad, or more than 12 months.

 How much will it cost? 

The million-dollar question! Thankfully, the answer isn't a million dollars! Gap year adventures don't have to cost the earth.

Plus, gap year adventures can involve earning money, so you can fund some independent travel, and if your adventure is in somewhere like Thailand, the cost of living is considerably less than back home.

Volunteering, working, learning, travelling...?

Planning your gap year adventure is half the fun. The options are numerous - you can dedicate your gap year adventure to learning a new skill or improving an existing one, earning some money or exploring a country. Or you can do a mixture of things. Think about what you want to do and where, then have a look at the programmes on our website.

Will I be safe?

As long as you're sensible, you almost certainly will be. Gap year adventures aren't 100 per cent foolproof, but then neither is a trip to the movies. Sometimes things don't go quite to plan but one of the things that gap year adventures teach people is how to cope in unfamiliar situations. If you're a first-time traveller or just want to feel better about setting off on an adventure then just contact us and we'll be able to help plan the right trip for you. 

Real Gap has programmes in over 35 countries - we have something for everyone! Why not chase the sun around the globe - leave home for somewhere more tropical and plan your journey to follow your favourite season! Make a list of what interests you. Are you sporty, political, artistic or studious...? Maybe you're interested in culture, people, wildlife, water, countryside or cities...? Perhaps you long for an adventure? Or do you really want security?

We can show you how to put your talents to work - it is possible to combine things that interest you with places you want to visit and have the perfect year out. You'll be surprised by what a difference you can make if you volunteer and how much further you can get if you get a little paid work along the way!

What are you good at?

• I can speak English!
• Teaching
• I'm practical
• Building things
• Mixing cocktails!
• Hiking
• Talking to people
• Foreign Languages
• Sports
• I was a Girl Guide / Boy Scout
• Working
• Being creative
• Challenges