Barnes - The Gap-Year Guidebook 2015

Published in 2014 by John Catt Educational Ltd,
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Website: www.gap-year.com

First published by Peridot Press in 1992; Twenty-third edition 2015
2014 John Catt Educational Ltd

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.

ISBN: 978 1909 717 244

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Preface: How gap-years have changed

Stefan Wathan, chief executive of the Year Out Group, offers an outline of what a gap-year means in 2015

The 34 member organizations of Year Out Group arranged structured gap-year placements for just under 30,000 people in over 90 countries across the globe in 2013. Seventy five percent of the participants were aged between 18 and 24 predominantly taking time between school and university or leaving university and taking up full-time work; 20% were between 25 and 40 mostly taking a sabbatical or career break or even looking for a change of career, while the remaining 5% are catching up on travel opportunities they may have missed out on and offering valuable skills in the process or even deciding that they too have a new potential career ahead of them.

How have gap-years changed?

Shorter placements . Over the past four years there has been a demand for shorter placements of a few weeks rather than a few months. There is no doubt that the state of the economy has been a major driver but it might also be because there is an element of CV building for its own sake or as perhaps in most cases, leaving things to the last minute, knowing you can find something online is a now a habit of most consumers. Employers have always required evidence of commitment and an ability to plan ahead as well as deal with things in the moment or under pressure, people looking to impress need to bear all these attributes in mind.

Understanding your reasons for taking a year out or even just a short trip, is important. It helps avoid disappointment or even curtailing an experience if you have thought through where, when and for how long you want to travel, work, train, volunteer or explore, so that you find the best match, something thats really motivating.

Last-minute bookings . Those leaving it late are often disappointed when their preferred gap-year provider is unable to meet their demands. This is particularly the case with voluntary work placements where it is important that time is devoted to ensuring that the potential volunteer is right for their preferred project and vice versa. There is also the lead time required to obtain visas and give important vaccinations time to take effect. In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to depart within in a week but four weeks is more realistic and eight weeks or longer better still. The same criteria apply to an expedition but if there is a vacancy on a course and you meet the minimum requirements then you could be away in days. As gap-years become more popular in other countries such as USA, China and Japan and amongst older people, young Brits may find that others have beaten them to the post if they leave things to late, so its best to plan ahead.

Social media works well for initial enquiries and gap-year providers are geared up for this but do not ignore the wealth of knowledge and experience of the gap-year providers so after the initial contact has been made, do talk to them as you shop around to find the organization and placement that suits you best.

Mixing it up . Independent travel combined with an expedition or some work, paid or unpaid is not new but there it seems there may be more people combining different packages during their year out. People are also booking more high value experiences.

Responsible travel. Members say they are being asked more questions about how their money is used in the country they visit and the value of the projects they volunteer at. The Year Out Group has always encouraged people to ask these types of questions and the increase is driven in part by media stories questioning the validity of some programmes including orphanages and lion sanctuaries.

Competition. More overseas operators are now offering activities and schools themselves may begin to partner with operators in the country they visit. Year Out Members need to be aware of this and ensure they continue to operate at the highest standards but potential participants also need to be vigilant when considering who to travel with, as some packages may appear to good to be true.

Why take a gap-year?

Those taking a gap-year between leaving school/college and going to university arrive refreshed and focused. They are also far more likely to complete their chosen course. Some may take time to get back into academic mode but this is more than compensated for in their social maturity. Their completion of a demanding challenge that they have initiated, planned and implemented successfully boosts their self-confidence significantly. They are also more globally aware which enables them to provide a more broadly based contribution in tutorials. In short they are better placed to make the most of their time at university and to succeed. They will also have acquired skills and experiences that will enhance their employability.

It is the enhancement to their employability that graduates most seek to gain from their gap-year. Employers are looking for:

• Communication skills . The ability to express oneself clearly verbally and in writing so that one can argue a position, persuade and inspire. The ability to relate to customers is also important.
• Courage to challenge and take risks . The ability to manage a project, to identify and manage risk and to experience and learn from failure.
• Planning and organization. The ability to have an idea, to develop a plan and to implement that plan successfully.
• Initiative and adaptability. The ability to think on ones feet, to act on ones own accord and to adjust a plan as and when circumstances change.
• Teamwork. The ability to play a full part in a team. This links to adaptability as teams will often change as a project progresses.