You’ve spun a seven. Twins. Hopefully, the pink and blue pegs will get along with the dog. You were hoping to be an artist with a beach house, but for now you’re a police officer living in a log cabin. You trudge on clockwise.
The Game of Life comes with rules. Six decks. Payday. Taxes. Do you want to go to college or start your career right away? No turning back. But real life isn’t quite as cut-and-dried. So why are we scared of breaking its familiar rhythms?
Many of us were raised to believe that there’s only one correct path in life. Conceptions of success vary from family to family and culture to culture, but the rules of Life might sound all too familiar to you. College, career, house, kids. Is there any other way? There is if you pave one!
There is nothing wrong with traditional narratives of success. Achieving your goals is always something to be proud of. However, plodding forward space by space in the same direction isn’t for everyone. Are you looking to break from the path?
What is a gap year?
In the words of American poet Shel Silverstein, have you found the “place where the sidewalk ends”? Don’t stamp out these childlike sparks of curiosity. Stoke them. Search outside yourself. How can you expand your scope?
If you aren’t confident about your next move, consider taking a gap year. Despite the term, a gap year doesn’t need to be a literal year. You can designate any period of time to travel abroad and learn from the world around you.
Gap years aren’t just clever disguises for aimless wandering. They can be just as valuable as a year of university or professional experience if not more. What students of the world do with their time abroad will vary, but the point of purposeful travel is to learn from your experiences. Forge the path that’s right for you!
How will it benefit me?
Society tends to undervalue experiential learning while overvaluing classroom instruction. However, there are many benefits to reap from the full immersion approach. Aside from the obvious value of learning a foreign language and becoming more globally aware, gap year experiences foster well-rounded individuals.
Living and learning abroad is like transferable skills boot camp. If you’re looking to sharpen your problem-solving skills or become a more effective communicator, the world is the best teacher you can find. Facing unfamiliar challenges in real time teaches travelers to be flexible, adaptable and resilient.
Moreover, learning to respect different worldviews is an important aspect of becoming a global citizen. Gaining firsthand knowledge of other cultures helps young adults become more empathetic towards ideas that differ from their own. And by having your personal beliefs put into perspective, you’ll learn a lot about yourself.
Adults who take the time to travel before locking themselves into careers are often more content with their life choices. Though this may not be true for everybody, it’s easier to make educated decisions when you have more experiences to draw from. A healthy balance of academic studies and real-life situations can teach you a lot about global society and your own preferences.
How do I convince my parents?
But even if you’re already sold on purposeful travel, the other people in your life may need more convincing. At the end of the day, you should do what’s right for you in spite of what other people think, but it’s easier when everyone’s on board.
If your family is skeptical, start by including them in your research. The idea might seem less dubious to them if they see how many online resources exist about the very thing you’re trying to do. There are several reputable companies that specialize in educational travel and volunteering abroad.
It is also important to communicate clear objectives for your travels. If your loved ones understand why you want to take a gap year, they’re more likely to see the value in it. If your parents aren’t budging, rumor has it Malia Obama took a gap year. Still not convinced? Tough crowd. Try crying.
What are my options?
But seriously, exploring your options before you go is likely to bring you a sense of purpose and your parents a sense of peace. Start thinking about what you want to do before you settle on where. Other opportunities may arise after you land, but here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Learn a Foreign Language!
No matter your field of interest, learning another language is never a bad thing. Being multilingual is an asset to any resume. And in addition to widening your academic and professional prospects, language acquisition leads to a healthy brain. So if you already have a language in mind, let it narrow down your list of countries. Latin America has a lot to offer if you’d like to learn Spanish!
Become an International Volunteer!
While abroad, volunteering is one of the best ways to interact with locals in a meaningful way. From working with kids to jumping on a construction site, there are countless ways to get involved. You’ll practice the language and get a sense of the culture while meeting the community’s real needs! Maximo Nivel is the local organization to volunteer in Costa Rica, Peru and Guatemala.
Explore Study Abroad Programs!
If you’re studying at university, don’t let it prevent you from traveling. Unlike traditional study abroad programs, Maximo lets you build your own itinerary. You can create a personalized program across Latin America from a combination of university courses, service learning projects, Spanish immersion or internship programs.
But no matter what you do or where you go, pave the path that’s right for you. Gap years are a constructive way to challenge the status quo. Cross-cultural experiences are opportunities for growth. Living abroad will teach you about the world and your place in it! So why not take the leap?