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A gap year is a semester or year of experience learning between two educational qualifications. Gap years allow students to take a break from academics and explore their personal interests.
If you’re considering taking a gap year, then you should examine if it’s the best option for you and what you could learn from it. In case you’re in this gap year to get admission into the university course you love or a job, then you will have to demonstrate that your year was not just enjoyable but also significant and useful. You may want to find out the best destinations to spend your gap year in 2023. Read this blog to find out the top 10 best gap year destinations in 2023!
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How to Choose the Best Gap Year Destinations?
The first step that you will have to take in order to plan a gap year is to find a destination that can provide you with a meaningful experience. To maximize the benefits during your gap year you will have to work both before as well as during your time abroad. If you want to find the perfect gap year destination, you must consider the following:
- How well can you use a second language or if you have the desire to learn a new language
- The activities that you may want to carry out, like internships, volunteering, or even adventure sports
- Your budget, which includes the cost of living, program fees and transportation
List of Best Gap Year Destinations
Next, let’s get to know about the top gap year destinations that students can spend their time in. Check out the following!
Australia
Average cost of living per month: $864.03 (INR 70,791)
Duration of a Working Holiday Visa: 12 months
The country has the second-highest number of gap year programs and offers a working holiday visa. Gappers from other countries can legally work and travel for at least a year. Many people that have a working holiday visa can find employment in bars, hostels, farms etc to fund their travels.
New Zealand
Average cost of living per month: $833.32 (INR 68,275)
Duration of Working Holiday Visa: up to 12 months
New Zealand makes it very easy for students to hop on board for a gap year. This is because they have extensive working holiday visas. This means that you can get access to specialized work opportunities and job boards. Common gap year jobs in New Zealand include becoming a snowboard or ski instructor, volunteering for NGOs and working in hostels.
Also Read: What is a Gap Year and its Importance for Students?
Spain
Average cost of living per month: $631.15 (INR 51,711)
Duration of Schengen Visa: 90 days or 3 months
The country is known to provide students with an easy and affordable gap year option, especially if they are also looking to travel to Europe. Several gap year programs available in this country are related to music, art, and language. Moreover, the country also has a strong demand for people who want to work as volunteers. You should also know that a lot of students also go to Spain to learn Spanish or improve their conversational Spanish.
United States of America
Average cost of living per month: $987.95 (INR 80,944)
Duration of B-1/B-2 Visa: From 6 months up to 1 year
The USA offers a variety of opportunities for gappers. The United States is known as the “melting pot” because it has diverse cultures and landscapes that are spread across the country. This country can be the perfect place to get an insight into potential career choices. Moreover, you will be able to see various lifestyles without crossing country borders.
Canada
Average cost of living per month: $877.96 (INR 71,933)
Duration of International Experience Canada (IEC) Visa: Not more than 2 years.
Certain programs available in Canada offer gappers the opportunity to get both, a certificate as well as work as a snowboard or ski instructor in Canada. This gives the students with lesser experience the opportunity to work.
Also Read: Is Study Gap Acceptable in Canada?
FAQs
India, like many other countries, offers various kinds of opportunities that are available for students that want to opt for a gap year.
There are many things that you can do in a gap year. If you’re considering taking a gap year, then you should examine if it’s the best option for you and what you could learn from it. In case you’re in this gap year to get admission into the university course you love or a job, then you will have to demonstrate that your year was not just enjoyable but also significant and useful. You can learn a language, do volunteer work, do internships etc.
Many people/students take a year gap between their master’s and graduation. This may be because the student may need time to prepare for entrance exams. As such there should not be any problem to get a job but you should be able to justify why you took a gap.
We hope this blog has given you enough information about the best gap year destinations in 2023. In case you need more information, you can always contact our study abroad experts at Leverage Edu!
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