1. Form relationships with people you would NEVER have the chance to meet otherwise
Taking a gap year abroad allows you to get immersed in the life of the local community and build meaningful relationships. Your Quest will be filled with opportunities to make new friends: they might be other volunteers from all over the world, local community members, the people running your volunteer project, or the community members you’re volunteering with. Your host family may turn into your second family and the country of your gap year may turn into your second home.
Elizabeth Mulroy spent a life-changing year volunteering in Kenya working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. She was able to foster relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Let’s take a glimpse at her blog:
“I continue meeting incredible people as well as reinforcing the friendships I have already made… I never expected to become such good friends with people from all over the world – my new Kenyan and German buddies, some new friends in Tanzania, and even a new Finnish roommate. And ironically, I was worried about the people I would miss meeting this year in college (what if it’s like a really cool Class of 2017 and I miss meeting all those cool people? – my thought process last year around the time everyone had Freshman orientation). But now I can’t imagine not having met these people, and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else.”
2. Get in touch with your adventurous side
During a gap year abroad, you will live and work alongside the local community, which will provide you with a unique opportunity to experience the real life of people who are very different from you. Throughout your trip, you will learn valuable skills, explore the country, and get fully immersed in the culture. You will have to step out of your comfort zone and conquer the challenges that come your way, which will make you more self-sufficient and independent. Sarah got to explore Indonesia on her volunteer gap year while teaching at a local elementary school and working at an elderly home. In her free time, she traveled, climbed mountains, parasailed, and enjoyed amazing food.
Here is what Sarah has to say about her adventure:
3. Find your path and true self
Identifying what you’re passionate about can be a challenging task. On a gap year, you’ll throw yourself into work that you would never get a chance to experience if you went straight on from high school to college. Many students choose their college major based on what they perceive their interests to be at the time, but the truth is that you’re still a growing and changing human with evolving interests and skills at this point in your life. You wouldn’t choose your life partner without dating them for a while, right? That’s how you decide if you’re compatible for the long haul. Think of your gap year as “dating” your future career – a trial period where you’re both figuring out if you’re right for each other.
Taylor Paraboschi was able to discover what she’s truly passionate about while teaching English at a school volunteering in Denmark. She opened herself up to new experiences and was able to grow in all aspects of her life.
“I feel like this journey has allowed me to grow into myself – to finally become the person I always strived to be but didn’t know how to become. When I was back in the States I was searching for a place and a profession where I fit; somewhere I felt of value, where I could do something I love and feel good at it. Because of my Quest I now feel that I have picked the right career path and it has given me the tools I’ll need to be a successful teacher and positively give back to future students. I feel like I’m on the path to continuing to live the life that I was meant for. I was meant to travel, to experience different cultures, to teach and to give back in a meaningful way. I am now at home in my strengths and in my limits, self assured that I can handle whatever is hurtled my way.”
Sound good? Learn more about taking your gap year abroad with United Planet here!
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
