Gap Year Recomendations
Discussion
My son has just finished his A levels and secured a place at uni which he's deferred for a year because he has no idea what he wants to do with his life.
He has spent the summer inter railing around Europe (which he loved) and he'll need a blend of straightforward travelling as well as working whilst he's travelling.
Initial bare bones thoughts for the next 12 months are:
The main problem is he's 18 and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. His friends are off to uni. Those that are remaining dropped out and work in warehouses etc, something that he'll fall into for the rest of his life unless he has a clear plan for the next 12 months.
So it's a gap year for experiences to broaden his horizons to at least give him an idea of the life he wants to live.
He has spent the summer inter railing around Europe (which he loved) and he'll need a blend of straightforward travelling as well as working whilst he's travelling.
Initial bare bones thoughts for the next 12 months are:
- Ski season as a chalet host (but his culinary skills extend to frying chicken in McD...!) - any experiences - Europe or possibly US??
- Australia - my very resourceful sister who lives over there will be able to enable pretty much anything. Any experiences you can recommend? (it was always fruit picking when I were a lad).
- Camp America
The main problem is he's 18 and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. His friends are off to uni. Those that are remaining dropped out and work in warehouses etc, something that he'll fall into for the rest of his life unless he has a clear plan for the next 12 months.
So it's a gap year for experiences to broaden his horizons to at least give him an idea of the life he wants to live.
To me, those options sound a bit "safe" he is likely to spend the majority of his time with similar people, especially in Australia.
What about volunteering in Africa? Seeing parts of the far east which aren't on the usual gap year rotation?
When my son is old enough I would like him to do something that will broaden his horizons and expose him to something completely different. As someone who spent a season in a ski resort during a "career break" I can guarantee that the above won't happen, and I assume its the same in Australia.
Nearly all of my friends who went "travelling" in Australia invariably bumped into someone from the same/next town!
What about volunteering in Africa? Seeing parts of the far east which aren't on the usual gap year rotation?
When my son is old enough I would like him to do something that will broaden his horizons and expose him to something completely different. As someone who spent a season in a ski resort during a "career break" I can guarantee that the above won't happen, and I assume its the same in Australia.
Nearly all of my friends who went "travelling" in Australia invariably bumped into someone from the same/next town!
Yes those were my thoughts/concerns too. They're also generic which is why I was asking ideas/thoughts.
Australia is more about exposure to the country. If he loves it and wants to live there, then he'll need to figure out what he can do to fulfil their entry criteria. That way at least he'll have some direction. It's an easy win as my sis is over there. I can/will ask her, but I would rather go to her with some ideas.
Australia is more about exposure to the country. If he loves it and wants to live there, then he'll need to figure out what he can do to fulfil their entry criteria. That way at least he'll have some direction. It's an easy win as my sis is over there. I can/will ask her, but I would rather go to her with some ideas.
How about travelling around the Central Asian Countries?
It's possible to teach English online or in person, it's very cheap & culturally very different to the U.K/West. There are plenty of others doing similar so it's always easy to hook up with more adventurous Europeans or Americans and the Central Asian countries are safe places to travel. I know a handful of young single European women that are doing this and they are finding it easy to do and very rewarding.
It's possible to teach English online or in person, it's very cheap & culturally very different to the U.K/West. There are plenty of others doing similar so it's always easy to hook up with more adventurous Europeans or Americans and the Central Asian countries are safe places to travel. I know a handful of young single European women that are doing this and they are finding it easy to do and very rewarding.
My son is about to start his last year at Uni having gone straight from school. He is gapping at the end, having gained a lot of life experience at Uni.
For instance he's discovered mountaineering and has lots of plans for next year when he graduates.
Gapping before University might see him never go. Which of course, might be alright, or might not. He will also get out of the academic mindset as well.
For instance he's discovered mountaineering and has lots of plans for next year when he graduates.
Gapping before University might see him never go. Which of course, might be alright, or might not. He will also get out of the academic mindset as well.
Yeah. I think if he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do or study then a gap year after would make sense. The problem he has is that yes, he's been accepted on a generic business course, but he would graduate £60k in debt with no better idea of what he wanted to do and be no further forward.
At least if he travels now he might fall in love with a place or a thing, which would then give him some direction - I want to live in Australia, therefore what do I need to do to enable that - could be a plumber for example.
Teaching english is definitely on the list. I just need to do some research on whether you can do it short term (three months etc). He really fancies asia/japan etc.
At least if he travels now he might fall in love with a place or a thing, which would then give him some direction - I want to live in Australia, therefore what do I need to do to enable that - could be a plumber for example.
Teaching english is definitely on the list. I just need to do some research on whether you can do it short term (three months etc). He really fancies asia/japan etc.
Ski chalet 'host'.. I would contact a few firms 'now'.
Ski Vertigo is good, you can be a chalet host - meet and greet, cleaning etc.. OR a chef - so taking care of the kitchen and cooking.
There is bar work, but that is difficult to find - you need to get a work permit, etc.. and you need a job beforehand etc...
My son did last season - he was with Ski Vertigo as a chef, but did do kitchen work at the local pub and did a cookery course which fed in to the role..
PM me if you want any more details.
Ski Vertigo is good, you can be a chalet host - meet and greet, cleaning etc.. OR a chef - so taking care of the kitchen and cooking.
There is bar work, but that is difficult to find - you need to get a work permit, etc.. and you need a job beforehand etc...
My son did last season - he was with Ski Vertigo as a chef, but did do kitchen work at the local pub and did a cookery course which fed in to the role..
PM me if you want any more details.
ben5575 said:
Yeah. I think if he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do or study then a gap year after would make sense. The problem he has is that yes, he's been accepted on a generic business course, but he would graduate £60k in debt with no better idea of what he wanted to do and be no further forward.
At least if he travels now he might fall in love with a place or a thing, which would then give him some direction - I want to live in Australia, therefore what do I need to do to enable that - could be a plumber for example.
Teaching english is definitely on the list. I just need to do some research on whether you can do it short term (three months etc). He really fancies asia/japan etc.
A year as a junior deckhand on a decent charter yacht would wipe out the majority of that debt. Assuming he's disciplined enough not to drink it all in the process.At least if he travels now he might fall in love with a place or a thing, which would then give him some direction - I want to live in Australia, therefore what do I need to do to enable that - could be a plumber for example.
Teaching english is definitely on the list. I just need to do some research on whether you can do it short term (three months etc). He really fancies asia/japan etc.
He's not going to work out what he wants to do with is life by bumming around Europe getting rejected by girls. The key is to realise that most people never work out what they want to do with their lives. If he's one of the majority, then just go to the sodding University, study something he enjoys and is good at, spend three years getting rejected by British girls and then get whatever job he can fall into afterwards and get on with life.
ben5575 said:
Yeah. I think if he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do or study then a gap year after would make sense. The problem he has is that yes, he's been accepted on a generic business course, but he would graduate £60k in debt with no better idea of what he wanted to do and be no further forward.
At least if he travels now he might fall in love with a place or a thing, which would then give him some direction - I want to live in Australia, therefore what do I need to do to enable that - could be a plumber for example.
Teaching english is definitely on the list. I just need to do some research on whether you can do it short term (three months etc). He really fancies asia/japan etc.
This is a bit off topic and not meant to be preachy at all but don't think about the uni cost as "debt"....it's a marginal tax impact that may or may not arise and may or may not all be paid off.At least if he travels now he might fall in love with a place or a thing, which would then give him some direction - I want to live in Australia, therefore what do I need to do to enable that - could be a plumber for example.
Teaching english is definitely on the list. I just need to do some research on whether you can do it short term (three months etc). He really fancies asia/japan etc.
I think the idea of doing the break after uni is a really good one....plus as a parent you might be a bit more relaxed that they have a bit of a head on their shoulders. Although I spent most of my 20's in dark rooms munching through drugs so that might not hold :-)
My lad has matured massively (not that he wasn't before) by going to university and fending for himself.
I'd be much more confident of him going around the world after university than I would have been after sixth form, where to be fair, they think they know everything, but don't.
Sixth form they are 'mates' with the teachers, they're the big fish. Get to university and 'that crap doesn't wash here'.
I'd be much more confident of him going around the world after university than I would have been after sixth form, where to be fair, they think they know everything, but don't.
Sixth form they are 'mates' with the teachers, they're the big fish. Get to university and 'that crap doesn't wash here'.
LimaDelta said:
A year as a junior deckhand on a decent charter yacht would wipe out the majority of that debt. Assuming he's disciplined enough not to drink it all in the process.
That is a great idea. Is this an area that you're involved with at all?eps said:
PM me if you want any more details.
Thank you very much for the offer. I will do later tonight.smifffymoto said:
They read more like a Father’s idea of a gap year rather than a son’s.
What’s wrong with travelling the far east,getting pissed and shagging birds.
Before you know it,he’ll never have the chance again.
I agree. That's why I'm throwing it out to PH. He had a good go at that through Europe in July though to be fair!What’s wrong with travelling the far east,getting pissed and shagging birds.
Before you know it,he’ll never have the chance again.
ben5575 said:
LimaDelta said:
A year as a junior deckhand on a decent charter yacht would wipe out the majority of that debt. Assuming he's disciplined enough not to drink it all in the process.
That is a great idea. Is this an area that you're involved with at all?I enjoyed a ski season but it’s a pretty shallow experience. Nothing wrong with that, but if he’s after life experience, there’s probably better options. I’d strongly recommend he avoids hosting a small chalet on his own, it’s disproportionately hard work, especially for the wages once accommodation is deducted.
If teaching English in a more developed country, he’ll need a CELTA course which is a month long but gives you the bare minimum needed to do a reasonable job and enjoy it in my opinion. It’s not cheap once you add the lost earnings in that time, so need to be pretty serious about it. At 18 I’d say it’s a gamble. If he enjoys it he could look at teaching long term, if not it’s very good for building transferable people skills.
If I had my time again I’d be persuading my mates in the warehouses to book none refundable flights in 6 months time so no one can flake, then get stuck in saving in the uk before a heading off to Asia.
If teaching English in a more developed country, he’ll need a CELTA course which is a month long but gives you the bare minimum needed to do a reasonable job and enjoy it in my opinion. It’s not cheap once you add the lost earnings in that time, so need to be pretty serious about it. At 18 I’d say it’s a gamble. If he enjoys it he could look at teaching long term, if not it’s very good for building transferable people skills.
If I had my time again I’d be persuading my mates in the warehouses to book none refundable flights in 6 months time so no one can flake, then get stuck in saving in the uk before a heading off to Asia.
Where abouts in Asia then?
Europe was easy (mainly as I know it) when he was inter railing and completely by chance ended up in Amsterdam for the semi and Berlin for the final of the euros, a week’s rave on a beach in Croatia etc etc as well as some of he usual cultural places. He was typically in a place for either 3 or nights.
What’s a road map/recommendations for Asia and how long does he need in each place?
And thanks for the thoughts on the ski season.
Europe was easy (mainly as I know it) when he was inter railing and completely by chance ended up in Amsterdam for the semi and Berlin for the final of the euros, a week’s rave on a beach in Croatia etc etc as well as some of he usual cultural places. He was typically in a place for either 3 or nights.
What’s a road map/recommendations for Asia and how long does he need in each place?
And thanks for the thoughts on the ski season.
As someone who didn't get into skiing until I was 26 and didn't even know seasonnaire jobs existed, this would be my choice, assuming he loves skiing.
The ability to go out on the mountain every day (or choose not to, if the weather is grim) is something many people do not get to do once they settle into a regular job. It seems to be a fun life mixed with a decent amount of hard work, and tips can be good if you work in the right chalet. When I used to go we had a whip round at the end of the week and made sure we gave the chalet hosts enough to cover several nights out.
Plus he'll get the life experience of catching multiple STDs from posh privately educated girls from Hampshire, one of whom might have a father loaded enough to give him a job when he flunks out of Uni with a third and 50k of debt (only joking .... some of them might be from Surrey)
I hadn't got a Scooby about what to do at that age so I don't think a gap year is a bad thing. Just wish I had my time again to do it, youth wasted on the young and all that.
The ability to go out on the mountain every day (or choose not to, if the weather is grim) is something many people do not get to do once they settle into a regular job. It seems to be a fun life mixed with a decent amount of hard work, and tips can be good if you work in the right chalet. When I used to go we had a whip round at the end of the week and made sure we gave the chalet hosts enough to cover several nights out.
Plus he'll get the life experience of catching multiple STDs from posh privately educated girls from Hampshire, one of whom might have a father loaded enough to give him a job when he flunks out of Uni with a third and 50k of debt (only joking .... some of them might be from Surrey)
I hadn't got a Scooby about what to do at that age so I don't think a gap year is a bad thing. Just wish I had my time again to do it, youth wasted on the young and all that.
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