WHAT IS A GAP YEAR AND WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A GAP YEAR IN AUSTRALIA
A gap year is “a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between school and university or college education.” People travel all over the world for their gap years, some volunteer, some work abroad, some travel – there are many options and the world really is your oyster.
So why should you think about taking one, and why do it in Australia?
1. NEW FRIENDS, NEW ADVENTURES
Whether you want to travel the Aussie East Coast, road trip through Outback Australia, work at a resort on a remote island, experience city life, go diving in the Great Barrier Reef, cuddle a koala, do a skydive or come up close with a Quokka (the world’s happiest animal!), the possibilities in Oz are limitless. Australia has one of the most diverse landscapes in the world where you can find rainforests, beaches, deserts and coral reefs (& even snow in the winter!) – so there is something for everybody in this huge country. There are also heaps of young & adventurous travellers from all over the world exploring Oz, so you are bound to make new mates from your first week here and meet many people that are in the same boat as you. This country is made for adventure and making lifelong memories
2. WORK & EARN
An Australian working holiday visa allows you to work and travel for up to a year (and can be extended by another 12 months when you complete the necessary regional work) so you can gain valuable work experience and earn enough money to help fund your travel adventures!
There are lots of jobs available to working holiday makers in Australia in the cities and regionally in various industries including hospitality, retail, construction and farm work. Working in another country is also a great way to stand out on your CV when you return home to start a career. Plus, you’ll be earning some extra cash that can be spent on exploring this incredible country.
3. GAP YEAR PROGRAMS
Planning a gap year in Australia is easy, there are programs to help you find work, get set up in Oz, meet new people, and show you around for your first week here. UltimateOz is the perfect way to start your gap year Down Under, where we introduce you to Sydney’s best spots and help you get set up in Australia. You’ll get started by exploring the city & cruising the Sydney Harbour, before heading out of the city for a few days to the Australian countryside, where you’ll see kangaroos, dolphins, explore sand dunes & incredible lookouts with a bunch of new mates. All of this while our experts help you to write your CV, apply for jobs, and find somewhere to stay.
4. CULTURE SHOCK
Despite being all the way across the world, Australia is a western country and has many of the comforts of home. This means that you don’t need to adapt to a very different way of life during your time here, and you can get settled easily. Equally, you’ll be able to experience a different culture and learn all of its quirks and benefits. One thing you’ll definitely notice is how relaxed Australia is! You’ll be calling it home in no time.
5. WILDLIFE
You can’t experience Oz without meeting some of its iconic wildlife. Australia has arguably the most diverse range of wildlife in the world from Kangaroos to Koalas, Wallabies to Dolphins, Turtles to Blue Whales. The possibilities to see different animals are endless, and you will meet many of these on your travels around the country. You’ll see koalas on Magnetic Island, dolphins in Port Stephens, Quokkas in WA, kangaroos at base camp and much, much more!
6. STOPOVERS
If you are flying from Europe you’ll almost definitely have a stop-over on the way here. This is a fantastic opportunity to see some of Southeast Asia’s incredible spots without paying for a separate flight there! Many of our travellers do this on the way home from Australia, stopping over in Bali, Vietnam or Thailand for a few weeks before flying home. It’s also a nice way to break up your journey so you don’t have to brave the 24 hour total flight in one go! This is a great way to further your travel experience and add new adventures into your gap year.
7. TIME TO RELAX
Most people taking a gap year have just finished their exams and are ready for a well deserved break from studying. After being at school since the age of 5, you can be pretty burnt out. Taking some time to travel, experience the world and relax can be great for your psyche & mindset. Plus, when you look back at your life, you aren’t going to say “ I wish I had started settling down sooner”, you’ll say “I’m so glad I spent a year in Australia!” When you return home after your time Down Under, you’ll have a more rounded perspective on the world, new mates from all over the world, and some unrivaled life experience.
8. NO RESPONSIBILITIES
Just after school is the perfect time of your life to travel. Most people have very few responsibilities at this time, meaning you can travel freely without worrying too much. Waiting for too long may mean that your life gets bogged down with the inevitable things (payments, cars, houses…), and you’ll regret not just going when you were free. Bite the bullet and just go!
There are many reasons why you should take a gap year in Australia – it really is an opportunity not to be missed! Are you thinking of travelling to Australia but don’t know how to get started? We are here to help, check out our Australia Working Holiday page for all the information you need on visas, work & Oz travel. Looking to have your first week in Australia sorted so you can just have fun with new mates with none of the stress? Our amazing UltimateOz Gap Year package is just the thing for you – check it out here.
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