Face your fear and work out how much it is going to cost you to fund your gap year. We're talking food, accommodation, flights and all that.One thing to remember when you're working this out is that some Gap Year destinations cost more than others, so do a bit of research into the costs of the places you want to visit.
The Working Holiday
If you get yourself some paid work abroad, you don't need to save up as much money before you go. It can also seriously take the strain off your finances whilst you're travelling and help fund a gap year that's longer, better and filled with more of the things you want to do!
Budgeting
Doing little bits to save money here and there can make real difference to your money saving efforts, for example taking your lunch to work rather than buying it. You could also work out a monthly budget, giving yourself a certain amount of money to spend a week and putting the rest of the money in a separate saving account where you can't get at it!
Sponsorship/ Fundraising
If you plan to do volunteering on your trip then you can use sponsorship as a way to get the money together - you might be surprised at how willing people are to help you out:
- Ask your family, friends and work colleagues to sponsor you and to pass on the message to other people they think might sponsor you. - Take part in a big event, such as a marathon or half marathon and get sponsored for that - Sell cakes at work, get rid of your old stuff at a boot sale, wash cars and so on. - Write a letter to your company's big boss to say what your doing and see if the company will sponsor you. Big companies like to get the good publicity that volunteering brings - it has been known in the past for them to double your final total.
The fundraising opportunities are endless, so get creative and you'll raise the cash you need to fund a gap year in no time! You'll soon been away chasing your dream.
Booking a Gap Year is a pretty big deal and takes a lot of planning, saving and preparation. It's a bit of a complicated process from figuring out destinations & projects which suit your interests and are the best to get involved with whilst you're away. To get your gap year plans started right here and now take a look below at our top tips.
The following top tips are designed to take you through every step of the process of booking your gap trip, making sure you get everything you possibly want and can get out of your travels worldwide.
And here they are...a drum roll please. Top Tips for booking a Gap Year
Top Tip # 1: Consult a brochure to see where on Earth you would like to visit. Make a note of the places that take your fancy. Take notes of questions you might need to know. Research the country fully and make sure it will suit.
Top Tip # 2: Have a think about what kind of stuff you want to do on your trip - volunteering, paid work, travelling about doing some sightseeing, adrenalin activities or a mixture of the whole lot. Once you know what you want to do, make sure that the opportunities exist in the country of your choice.
Top Tip # 3: When do you want to go, are there any weather/ festival considerations? How long do you want to go for (a whole year or just a bit?) and what's your budget like? Also, are you going to go with someone?
Top Tip # 4: Have a surf about to see the kind of options you have in your chosen destination/s that fit in with the type of activities you would like to do. Research on the internet fully, check out reviews of projects or trips. Get in contact with other travellers and ask for their advice on destinations.
Top Tip # 5: Discuss your plans with an experienced travel advisor - make sure that whoever you speak to has been to the country your are interested in. Ask as many questions as you like and get answers before you make a decision.
Going travelling or taking a gap year is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is not something that you shoud book in a hurry. Taking into consideration the above tips , you'll make sure that the trip your book will be right for you and avoid any problems.
James Jeremy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Family Travel and Travel and Leisure. & working holidays. are the specialists in providing gap ye. James Jeremy's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.