You just finished High School and are ready to
explore the world. Before you start university, you want to
take a year off to experience a different culture. This is what many refer to as a
gap year. But how are you going to spend your gap year? There are many ways to spend a great time abroad. We have compared the different options below. To find out which one is best for you, read on.
Work and Travel
Work and Travel is exactly what it sounds like: You work and you travel. As a participant of this program you will take on different jobs abroad in order to finance your trips. Depending on where you go, you can work as much or little as you want. There are standard jobs in tourism and gastronomy, but you might even get the chance to take on something a little more exciting. How about working on a farm or teaching people how to ski? Your options are almost unlimited.
Volunteering
No matter what you are interested in, there is probably a project on that topic that could use your help. Whether you want to work with children in orphanages or schools or prefer to work with
animals – volunteering may be the right choice for you. As a volunteer you
give your time to those who need it most. You will not earn any money, instead, you will gain
experiences for a lifetime.
Internships
If you already know
what you would like to do for a living after your gap year, doing an internship abroad can
enhance your CV. You will
get some experience in the field of your choice while improving your language skills. What better way to start your career? You are also very likely to get paid for your work, since you will have to pay for rent and groceries.
Au Pair program
As you might have guessed by our name, AuPair.com is specialized in the Au Pair program. But that doesn’t mean we think it’s for everyone. If you like
working with children and are comfortable
living with a Host Family, then this might be the
right option for you. As an Au Pair, you earn some money on a weekly or monthly basis. It might not seem like much, but keep in mind that you
won’t have to pay for food and accommodation. If you don’t like children, however, you might rethink becoming an Au Pair, because childcare will be your main task.
As you can see, you don’t have to become an Au Pair to go abroad. If you really don’t like working with children and taking care of household related tasks, just consider a different option. Both you and prospective Host Families will be happier that way. If you think the Au Pair program is right for you, though, we will be happy to help you
find the perfect Host Family! No matter how you spend your gap year, it’s sure to help you
become a more responsible and independent person.