Is a Gap Year a Good Thing?

If you’re just graduating from school and not sure which direction to take, or you’re not ready to jump into full-time employment just yet then taking a Gap Year may be a great option for you.  If you’re looking for something worthwhile to do during your Gap Year volunteering will give you the opportunity to travel whilst making a difference in the community you are based in. Or perhaps you are a parent concerned about whether a Gap Year is the right option for your son or daughter.

 

The Benefits of the Gap Year

Take a few minutes  to discover the benefits of the Gap Year, and watch the video to hear from industry insiders, (including our very own Colin Salisbury) on whether they think a Gap Year can be a positive experience for school graduates.

The Gap Year has numerous benefits for recent school leavers.  In particular, taking a gap year with a purpose, such as serving others through volunteering has many advantages.  International volunteering is a great way to gain experience living in a developing country, learning about another culture and experiencing a different way of life.  It is a fantastic way to grow as a person, to develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and is a tool for self discovery and identity formation. 

A gap year provides an opportunity for school leavers to develop skills outside the classroom, skills such as team work, project management and responsibility.  A gap year with a purpose can add to a student's CV and reflects their work and life experience gained.

We welcome you to get in touch with us to find out if a GVN volunteer program is the right Gap Year experience for you or your child.

Colin Talks to Good Morning

Did you know how you wanted to spend the rest of your life at 17 years of age? Teen Coach Darryl Gardiner, former Gap Year volunteer Rebecca McKeown  and Colin Salisbury from Global Volunteer Network star on Television New Zealand’s award winning show Good Morning with some pointers for teens who are struggling to decide what to do with their lives.

Bill Gates "I'd love to see more young people taking action to help the poor and disadvantaged. Two places to get started are Network for Good and Global Volunteer Network." Newsweek Web