24 Jul 2018

The majority of people wanting a gap year are probably looking for a break from school, and seeing the world is a way to do just that. The problem is, there are those of us that need that time away, but for whom travelling just isn’t feasible. Whether it’s because we can’t afford to or the thought of leaving home absolutely terrifies us, these obstacles can trick us into thinking that we can’t have gap years too. But while they’re commonly associated with travelling, they’re not completely synonymous, and a gap year without travelling is still valid. Here’s why.

1. Travelling isn’t for everyone

Or rather, it isn’t for everyone at all times. Maybe the timing is off and none of your friends are ready to go when you are, or vice versa. Maybe it’s too expensive, or no place has caught your eye enough to warrant a flight over there. Maybe you’re just completely comfortable being home with all the things you find familiar and just have no desire to leave. All of these reasons are perfectly fine, and you don’t need to feel pressured to go travelling right away just because you want to go on a gap year.

2. You can have a working gap year

For many people, taking a gap year is a solid opportunity to really commit yourself to work. With that kind of financial independence, you can start saving to go on a holiday later in the year, or to set yourself up more securely for when you start uni. Or you can afford to do all the things you love, like road trips and brunches and takeaway and festivals and museums- and get the same kind of kick other people get from traveling without having to leave. 

3. You can invest your time and money into other things (like yourself)

If you dig deep enough, you’ll find that people don’t go on gap years just to see sites and get drunk off cheap beer (though it does help). As cliché as it sounds, people go on gap years to improve themselves- to grow with new life experiences in new environments. Travelling is just a way to speed all of that up, but it can be done at home. Working full-time for the first time does that, and so does taking care of yourself outside the structure of school. You can invest in your hobbies as well, and you might find your passion turns it into a career. Take yourself to an art class, or learn a language. Read books, make music, buy a camera. This time is for you. 

4. It’s a chance to think about what you want to do

While you’re living life for yourself for the first time, and not for a school mark, there’ll be a lot of self-discovery. You’ll do new things, you’ll revisit old favourites, and you’ll come to understand what it is you love and why. Hopefully, a gap year will remind you of the things you find important, and that little sliver of adult life will be important in helping shape what you want the real thing to look like after uni. And you’ll probably, you’ll return energised, ready to take on more study.