25 Feb 2021

To take a gap year or not? That is the question. A question a lot of you have been asking amidst the chaos and cacophony of the last 12 months.

Look, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Send it.

Gap years are still a bangin’ op that you deserve after this hellish year. Best bit – there are now opportunities to travel abroad in 2021 or 2022! Our mates over at Letz Live have an unreal gap year program in New Zealand that would be the experience of a lifetime.  Even during these wack times, Letz Live have been grinding to create opportunities for Aussies to gap year abroad in the land of you-beaut beaches, ski fields and hobbits. Yes! New Zealand!!!

NZ is the most epic travel destination with an array of experiences to fit anyone’s dream. From experiencing culture, activities for all the adrenaline junkie (or maybe you just wanna step outside your comfort zone), breathtaking scenery and views to take in and island hopping. Sounds pretty dreamy to me. I mean, just search ‘New Zealand’ on google images. How can any place look that surreal?! New Zealand has it all – Ski towns, beachy coastlines, stunning lakes, thriving city life or recluse farm and mountain life. Whatever life you wanna live – it’s possible in NZ.

 

So, how do I get started?!

First, Submit an application for a New Zealand gap year over here. Have a chat with Letz Live about your preferences and motivations for 2021 or 2022 to be accepted onto the program and be offered a placement!

And if that doesn’t get you keen already, know that gap years come with a multitude of benefits like…  

1. You can avoid burnout

We are a frazzled generation! We have pressure weighing us down like a tonne of bricks when it comes to getting perfect marks, choosing the perfect degree, getting into the perfect uni… This strive for perfection burns us out really fast and can leave us entering post-school study/work feeling unmotivated and overwhelmed.

Having ‘time off’ to work on yourself and hobbies and dreams, is the perfect ‘reset’ button to keep your vibes high – especially in a magical place like NZ.

2. Your grades can improve upon return

One of the warnings I was repetitively told when taking a gap year was that “your study performance will majorly decrease!”

I, alongside with the thousands of happy gap year takers, can attest that taking a year off only sped up my studying momentum. In fact, I was smashing through assessments and essays like a beast when I started uni (and still am to this day). Time away from classrooms makes you keener to enter them!

3. You can become more employable

Taking a gap year can make your resume POP as employers are starting to realise the benefits of an employee who took one. I, for one, subconsciously learnt how to be more self-aware, savvy and street smart during my year off. I figured out more about myself and the world around me by picking up new skills and putting myself out there.

This ‘worldly experience’ you gain from a year off makes you better equipped to deal with conflict and challenges in the workplace (and in life tbh)! Worried about placing a job on your gap year? No need. Letz Live can link you up with secure employment in NZ taking out any of the stress.

4. You can find your passion

My friend and I took a gap year together. She had absolutely NO idea what she wanted to pursue afterwards and was searching for clarity. Every day, she was searching for different career paths that could suit her from biomedical science to being an actress. During this time of talking to new people, travelling, working different jobs and picking up new skills and hobbies, she figured out what she really loved (and is almost finished her history degree with flying colours!).

Time away from classrooms allows you to spread your wings and find clarity on your own. No matter where you get placed during a gap year, things will start to click in terms of your passions and future.

5. You’ve earnt a break

In the grand scheme of things, one extra year to figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it is nothing. Especially after this hellish year that you Year 12 students have copped, you deserve to be excited for an adventure and you deserve this op to still get to travel abroad!

Sure, a gap year can be referred to as a ‘break’ and a ‘year off’, but for me, my gap year was more like a ‘year on’. I learnt so much so quickly and organically and it honestly shaped me to be who I am today (and ngl, I love me!). You deserve to level up!

Suss out more about how gnarly and experienced Letz Live are here and get started on your year on today!  Keen to a gap year to NZ? Head here.