Planning your ‘gap year’ and wondering how to make it truly unforgettable? Well, pack your bags because we’re about to jump right into the magic of traveling abroad and how it can be your ticket to a self-discovery rollercoaster.
Embarking on a ‘gap year’ is a transformative experience that allows young individuals to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world. Gap years are sometimes criticized for being frivolous or unneeded delays, claiming that they can cause students to lose focus or academic momentum. According to a 2015 paper published in Developmental Psychology, they are not totally incorrect.
A gap year may affect a student’s likelihood of finishing their university education, but it does not always impede psychological development or initial university enrollment, according to a study that used data from over 2000 Australian students.
This result most likely stems from an idea known as the “life span theory of control”. The idea is significant to high school students because it implies that making direct investments in goals at critical developmental junctures, such as the transfer from high school to college, produces better results.
While this perspective highlights real issues, gap years offer tremendous benefits, especially in terms of personal growth and self-discovery. But to make the most of your time, you have to be prepared to work hard to make it valuable.
Traveling abroad is one of the most life-changing experiences you can have, particularly if you’re not sure what your future holds. Here’s why.
Hitting the road can be a means of ‘real-life learning’
Although gap years are a chance to explore interests outside the classroom, it’s still necessary to set some learning objectives for yourself while you’re not in school.
These two findings from a research paper on studying and traveling abroad from 2021 published in Higher Education may be useful to you if you’re thinking about taking a gap year abroad. Consider this:
Have you ever taken a trip overseas?
If your response is negative, the review indicates that you are probably going to benefit from the experience more than someone who has traveled a lot before. If you do choose to spend your gap year abroad, choose a skill you are eager to master in advance so you can meet like-minded people who can lessen any cultural shock you may have.
Have you decided on your educational or professional goals?
If your response is no, you will probably gain from your time overseas. Let’s say you have a strong desire to protect the environment, but are unsure of how to pursue it. Work on conservation initiatives abroad during your gap year. You’ll gain practical experience and get a close-up look at the problems facing the environment worldwide. Alternatively, learn a new language and work as an intern for an NGO if you want a career in diplomacy.
The gap year can become more than just a vacation by incorporating these two components: focused skill development for students without previous overseas experience and an emphasis on career research. This will make the gap year an important time for learning, development, and future preparation.
Embracing cultural richness is most rewarding when you maintain psychological flexibility
Think of your personality to be a dynamic, breathing thing that is always changing. This notion is supported by a 2016 study published in Psychology and Aging, which shows that even though your qualities are relatively constant, they are still subject to impact and modification, particularly in your adolescence and early twenties. For this reason, taking a gap year and exploring another country is like hitting gold when it comes to personal growth.
When you travel abroad in your late teens, you may wind up talking to a local craftsman in a small Italian village or hailing a tuk-tuk in the middle of Bangkok’s bustling street. These are not just fun encounters. These are workout routines for your brain. You’re picking up skills like multilingual communication, situational flexibility, and appreciation for very diverse lives from your own.
These abilities are crucial in an increasingly connected society. These are the resources that will enable you to succeed in a multicultural environment, apply creativity to problem-solving, and forge international connections. They might also inspire a brand-new interest or professional path. Who knows? You might decide to create a fusion restaurant after taking a cooking class in Cambodia, or your volunteer experience in Africa might inspire you to dedicate your life to helping others.
Therefore, get as much exposure to various cultures as you can while your personality is still in its “flexible” period. Now is the perfect time to mold who you are and who you will become, one journey at a time.
Final thoughts
A gap year is an investment in yourself during a period when you’re most receptive to learning and development. The majority of the experiences and lessons you pick up from traveling will stay with you for the rest of your life, helping to fill this “gap”
Being exposed to cultures and environments that are dissimilar to your own can help you develop into a compassionate, understanding, and well-rounded person. These are qualities that are hard to impart in a classroom, but are always in demand in the real world.
(Tashia Bernardus)