You’re Never Too Old for a Gap Year.

This post, is brought to you in association with Original Volunteers.

Have you ever thought of taking a gap year? I know I have, and in the past couple of months I have heard of a several people my age (in my 40’s) who are taking time out to follow their dreams and passions.

I think it an interesting concept, as to my mind it is both carefree, and caring? I can think of nothing more carefree, than being able to leave my home, commitments and work, to explore another country, and a different type of life. And yet during that time, you are thinking about your family, maybe trying to enrich their lives, or volunteering to help others. Sounds exciting, even intruiging doesn’t it?

I wholeheartedly agree there is no age that is too old to take a gap year, perhaps a better way of wording it though, is to take a sabbatical. As it doesn’t really need to be a year, or even a gap in your working life. Traditionally though, it is young adults who take a gap year, before or after University. According Original Volunteers, gap years offer valuable work experience in an ever tougher work market.

So I can see this also working for people who would like to change their career path, taken early retirement or have been made redundant for their work place.

In recent years though having a family gap year has become popular. So putting all of your normal lives on hold, and exploring, having an adventure, and seeing the world. I can really see the benefits of me going on a family gap year with my whole family. I am sure it must help cement the family unit, as often experiencing something life changing does.

In an ideal world, I think I would love to go down the route of volunteering, I can’t even begin to imagine how mutually beneficial this could be. You could make a real change to people lives, and in doing so change your family.

So what important things would you need to consider if you were starting a gap year – young or old?

How long for?

This is something you would need to decide based on the funds available, and also perhaps, how long your work place could leave you position open for. It would also be essential if you have children of school age, to obtain permission and a time frame from the school.

Research

I think the most important thing would be to put research into the area you would like to travel to. Also researching the employment, study and volunteering that you would like to do once you are there. Contact reputable places, do your research thoroughly, and always have a contingency plan.

What to Take

There are lots of valuable resources on the internet that will help you with check-lists and ideas. I think they thing that would be at the top of my list though would be my camera, as I would want to record all of the exciting things that we did.

Insurance

Because this is going to be more of an unusual and extended stay its important to get comprehensive insurance. Its also important to make sure that your house insurers realise that you are not living in your house for an extended period. This can invalidate the insurance, so make sure you let them know. Its also equally important to do this if you are renting your property out.

It really does sound like something so fulfilling, with valuable life lessons being learnt, I can see why so many students have in the past done it. Maybe it really is time for change?

What do you think, is it something you have ever considered?

Thank you for reading