We often take for granted what a big deal it is to graduate from high school. Twelve years of public education, and now you’re an adult able to make your own way in the world. Even so, spending 18 years being told what your next step is can leave you unsure of who you are and what you want out of life.
That’s why so many graduates decide to take a year break before jumping into another round of formal education. If you want to make the most of those precious months, try one of these meaningful ways to spend your gap year.
Find Yourself: Overlanding
When most people think of a gap year, they think of travel. But while each mode of travel offers its own benefits, one underrated travel experience is Overlanding. Overlanding takes you off-road into remote destinations for weeks or even months at a time.
It’s not a trip for the faint of heart. Packing for the trip takes a lot more intentionality, and you will build self-reliance. But you will see things you would never have otherwise, and the quiet moments allow you to contemplate who you are and your place in the world.
Broaden Your Horizons: Language Immersion
But for others, the goal in traveling is to explore other cultures, and a wonderful way to experience other cultures is through its languages. And given immersion is one of the most effective ways to learn a new language, a meaningful way to spend your gap year is to travel to learn one.
There are multiple ways to do this. There are plenty of language immersion programs available to take you to a country that speaks your language of choice. Or you can live in a country of your choice for a few months, get a job, and mingle with the locals.
Give Back: Volunteer
Gap years don’t have to only be about soaking in new experiences. Taking the time to volunteer will help you create a better world while finding yourself in the process. Here are a few options you might consider nationally or internationally:
- Help provide medical care
- Become a volunteer teacher
- Work in an orphanage
- Help with conservation efforts
- Build homes for those in need
As with language immersion, you can join programs that will take you right where the need is. Otherwise, you can always begin with helping meet the needs in your community. Gap years are about exploration both inwardly and outwardly, after all. And you can do that anywhere.
