Gap Years

[_sophie_]

I don't understand how you're meant to save for a gap year.
I am determined to go to Australia in 2013 when I turn 18. The trip will be approximately £5000 for 12 months (however I want to go for 6 months so would this be halved? This price includes insurance, flights, spending money based on 12 months and includes the visa I need). When I apply for the visa I have to be 18, and not allowed to book any travel to Australia until this visa is granted. This means I would have no time to plan as I turn 18 in Febuary and plan to travel in March and come back in September for uni. I just don't understand how there is any way I will get this money, and arrange it all, and book it. It's so stressful! Feels like I should have started thinking about a gap year when I was about 7 and now I feel like this is never going to happen and maybe I should wait until after uni, but then I would be in alot of debt and not be able to afford it either. HOW DO YOU DO IT?!?!!?

[Andyvon]

Ah - it's a status thing then Sophie 1003. In that case it's not fair to put many of these youngsters in the position of feeling they are missing out. It certainly sounds as if the other Sophie feels in that position.

I think things have changed now Sophie (poster) to the point where most students won't be able to afford a gap year. I'm sure that was taken into account by these new funding arrangements (which New Labour had in mind anyway) when the Tories announced them. They probably disapprove of students just taking a whole year off.

[sophie_1003]

Definitely; or it is in my experience; it doesn't stop when you get to uni either because there are volunteer teaching things you can do in third world countries in the summer; I prefer to go and laze around on a beach to be honest!

[_sophie_]

Thanks for you comments.. trying to answer here:
I'm 15. I will have done my A levels by the time I plan to go to Oz which is not until 2013.
At Uni, I hopefully want to do something in Biology not quite sure what but I think I want to go down that route. I never really thought of the opportunity to travel while I'm studying for uni. That is a good idea but I would still have to pay for this myself wouldn't I? It all goes the same way. I think I just love the idea of having my own life in Australia, working there, staying in a flat with friends etc.
If I got a job now which I am trying to at the moment, I still wouldn't be able to afford it, if I saved £2000 from work, and I'm estimating the trip at £5000 minimum but this will no doubt be nearer £6,500-£7000, I still wouldn't be able to afford it. My parents may put some money into it but not that much.
I spoke to a friend who went to Australia for 3 months and she said Sydney is really expensive to live in. She spent about £3000 in just 3 months there and couldn't get a job. She recommened Melbourne and said make sure I'm organised.

[237SJ]

So they still do the old working visa system in Australia (go before you`re 25, get a multitude of jobs that you can stay 3 months in)? That`s how people used to do it.

[cazzz1975]

with the new hike in tuition fee's I think gap years will become a privilidge of the rich

[cazzz1975]

I have an australian friend who tells me its also very expensive to live in melbourne, I would research living costs before committing to going to a specific part.

[dotty.]

you should get your folks to start you an ebay account and do some selling, cos you won't get much with a party yime weekend job, which you can't do til your 16 anyway

[sherrardk]

I hope AB is still around when you are in your twenties and you can look back at your questions. I'm pretty sure you'll look at how you thought planning a glorified holiday was 'stressful' and realise what stressful means.

[pastafreak]

My daughter is living in Melbourne now. She went with her BF when his company sent him there on a 10 month contract. They have found it to be quite expensive-and this is without having to worry about their rent. Most things seem to be about 1/3 more expensive than the UK. Food is dear-but of better quality.

[jno]

some places are expensive, some aren't.... you'll be heading for the cheap ones, sharing with friends (hopefully not in too much squalor) and learning how to cook without spending money. You don't need to plan that far in advance unless you have specific jobs (in work or income) that you want to achieve; it's expected that young transients will get jobs in bars or as jillaroos or whatever. Have a look for travel forums like this one for tips:

http://www.lonelyplan...umID=10&keywordid=163

But in the end, you'll have to be able to afford it. Earning money as you go is the best way. If that's not possible, think about travelling somewhere nearer home.

As boxtops says, going for half as long doesn't mean half the cost: the flights in particular will cost much the same. Australian winters generally aren't like British ones, so it's not a bad time of year and the flights should be cheaper.

[boxtops]

Have you thought about VSO, sophie? http://www.vso.org.uk/about/how-we-work/
they work around the world, improving the lot of people less fortunate - and as long ago as I left school, several people went out with VSO for the summer holidays before they went to uni.
You say you'll plan to house-share with friends - are these friends going with you, or do you plan to meet other 18-yos out there? That sounds a bit precarious to me, if so.

[bednobs]

i think getting a flat share for less than 6 months will be tricky, and more expensive than hostels. As has been said above, "gap years" (or long holidays to the rest of us) are the preserve of the rich

[pastafreak]

lil pasta loves travelling-yet she was quite fed up by the end of her longest trip....just under a month this past summer.
I would give a lot of thought to how long you can realistically be away-without yearning for your own bed,and everything else that is familiar. Long trips always seem an ideal-but the reality is not always so.

[_sophie_]

My friends may or may not come. The company I wanted to go with allows you to fly with a group of like-minded travellers and meet them beforehand. You can stay at a hostel too instead of getting a flat or whatever.
http://realgap.co.uk/...timate-aussie-package
I know flights will be roughly the same but I mean the cost of the trip (£549 including visa).

I spoke to my elder sister today and she said uni isn't all it's cracked out to be. What am I going to do with a degree? Many graduates can't get jobs and end up wokring in shops rather than getting on with their career. She made me think about becoming an air hostess when I'm young to travel and earn a bit of money at the same time. It's a great career and quite a kooshty job. This does seem pretty good but I just want to experience uni and also my ideal career is something in Biology. However she did say that I do need to work, it's not all fun and games and ultimately, doubt I will get into that career so maybe air hostess is the best option for me?
I hate this time of having to actually think of what your going to do with your life!! Uni or no uni, career, gap year or no gap year.... argh!

[bednobs]

i really don't think that air hostess is a cushty job at all - long customer service shifts plus fairly quick turnarounds i would think, however, i bow to your sister's superior knowledge on that one

[sophie_1003]

If you're not sure what to do don't go to uni; don't write it off completely but do something else (if possible in the area of work you think you'll be interested in) while you make up your mind. I put off uni for three years after finishing my A-levels but am now doing a course I love (despite the workload) and will want to pursue a career in. Also; don't trust what everyone says about uni- everyone told me I should live on campus to get "the full uni experience" I followed my heart and chose not to and it's worked out fantastic for me!

[boxtops]

I have a friend who was an air hostess. She said it was extremely hard work and pretty low pay and T&Cs - and she worked her way up from the bottom - and very rarely saw the world unless she took holidays. Stopover in Rio is no different from stopover in Gatwick. You have to be able to deal with difficult people, undertake first aid and life support, slog all day up and down the plane for very little thanks. It's not at all romantic.
Sounds as if your sister is a bit biased against university. The best thing I can suggest to you is to look now at any vacancies being advertised in the sort of roles you've like to be in in four years time, and read the job specs and person criteria. I'll bet that the majority of jobs in biology and research will insist on a first degree in a relevant subject as the absolute minimum for people to apply for those posts. Don't throw away your chance to further your education just on the word of one other person. Some of us have been through the uni route much later in life in order to further our careers. Do research first - don't make up your mind yet.

[_sophie_]

Thanks everyone you've given me alot of help!! I might make an appointment with the careers advisor at school although I heard she's not too good hahaha.
I was thinking if I did go with friends we could rent a campervan and do it ourselves? Or this: http://www.greyhound.com.au/

The VSO also looks quite good, you only have to raise £900 and they do everything else!! However, does this have to be an exchange so wheerver you go, they come back to you? I can't seem to find a link to where it says not.

[pastafreak]

Listen to boxy on this. Cabin crew have a thankless task-locked in a confined space with irritable travellers,crying babies,and possible drunks...and on a daily basis.It is a job without(in most cases) any long-term prospects. How long you last may be based on very superficial factors...your fitness,personality,and customer service skills. And after 5 or ten years-what are your prospects.
Do not give up on travelling-think of some of the voluntary opportunities mentioned.......and don't give up on Uni either.Pick the right course for you-and you will have a long lasting career.