Use your gap year to do something transformational – for you and others
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Thinking of taking a gap year?
A gap year is an opportunity to explore the world, discover your passions and gain new skills and experience to skyrocket your future career and studies.
It’s a time just for you, when the control is in your hands to do something that matters to you in a break from school, university or the world of work.
Whether you want to take a year away or you are looking for something to do in a break between terms there are a range of different and incredible experiences for you on your gap year, including a Raleigh Expeditions.
It’s a big decision. Let’s find out what the pros and cons are…
“Raleigh gave me the drive I needed when I was dealing with. Difficult home life and made me determined to raise the money and get on my Expedition.”
Emma | Raleigh Alumni
Time to invest in you
Discover just how resilient you can be. Taking time out to do something very different has the power to change your course and influence all your future life choices.
Discover your strengths, your passions and yourself!
Change your perspective
IRL
You can watch David Attenborough or films or TikTok but is there really any substitution for personal experience? There’s nothing like experiencing something very different to appreciate what you have.
Transformational experience
A gap year offers the chance to have a transformational experience, in real life – not online! It’s a chance to break out of the everyday, step away from screens and stresses.
Cultural immersion
Getting to see the world from another viewpoint. Travelling in a way that allows for deeper connections with local cultures can help to reduce the negative impact of travel on local environments.
“Raleigh gave me the drive I needed when I was dealing with. Difficult home life and made me determined to raise the money and get on my Expedition.”
Emma | Raleigh Alumni
“Raleigh gave me the drive I needed when I was dealing with. Difficult home life and made me determined to raise the money and get on my Expedition.”
Emma | Raleigh Alumni
Real adventure
There aren’t many opportunities out there now to really put yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s only then that you realise what you’re really capable of and the personal growth at that point is exponential.
Well-being
Digital detox
We’re living in an ever more digital world and the negative impact of this isn’t something that any of us can deny. A gap year is a gap from the everyday stresses.
Raleigh Expeditions have a no phones on projects policy and the feedback we’ve had from young people travelling with us has been overwhelmingly positive to have a break from their devices.
Reflect
Have time to reflect on what really matters to you and what you want to do next in life.
Take a break
Take a break before joining university or college means you are less likely to experience academic burn-out.
“Raleigh gave me the drive I needed when I was dealing with. Difficult home life and made me determined to raise the money and get on my Expedition.”
Emma | Raleigh Alumni
Building skills for the future
- Develop hard and soft skills which will enhance your CV.
- Build your confidence, independence and resilience.
- Gain valuable experience in project management, community development and environmental conservation
- Enhance your university or college application by doing a gap year programme supporting your course, degree or field of work.
- Set yourself apart from the competition in job applications.
What the stats say about Gap Years
- 60% of those in the UK said taking a gap year believe it helped them decide what subject to study at university and;
- 66% took their studies more seriously upon their return
- 97% of students in the US who took a gap year enjoyed increased maturity due to taking a gap year and;
- 96% of people believe that taking a gap year helped to improve their self-confidence – something that helps not only in a professional environment, but in terms of mental health and overall wellbeing, too
- 84% gained skills they believed would help them be successful in their future careers
Discover more about how a gap year can shape your future. Read our blog on the pros and cons of a gap year to see how it could benefit you.
Why choose Raleigh on your Gap Year?
For 40 years thousands of young adults have transformed their lives on gap years with Raleigh International. Over 55,000 people have volunteered on Raleigh Expeditions around the world, on incredible experiences with adventure and impact at its heart! Uniquely to the Raleigh.
What our Raleigh Venturers say
Need more Expedition information?
Hear from a Raleigh alumni about life on Expedition.
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