21 Oct 2015

Many say that taking a gap year is one of the most important things a young person can do. It gives you a break from school, first of all, but it also has the added bonus of giving you time to try and figure out who you are and where you want to be before you fully commit to another three or more years of study.

Working, travelling or doing both at the same time are the most common ways to spend a gap year. There are programs that will take you across the world for a whole year on the experience of a lifetime, or you can just cruise through on your own terms.

But full-length gap years are often hella expensive, and they also put you a year behind all your friends who are heading off to uni. If you’re conflicted about whether to take a gap year or whether to head straight to university, well.

If you’re looking to start uni next year but you also really want to travel China before you go, you can! If you’ve always dreamed of hanging out with cheetahs but you don’t want to take a whole year out, you can!

We’ve got a bunch of programs that run for a month or so, or even a few weeks, so you can easily fit them in over your newly extended summer break (what a gift that break is, honestly). From working with kids in Zanzibar or exploring and volunteering with kids or animals in South Africa, to conservation work in Belize and taking the ultimate tour of China, these experiences have all the benefits of a full-length gap year, conveniently shrink-wrapped into a few incredible weeks.

Beefed up resume? Check. Life experience? Check. New mates? Check. Starting uni on time? Check.