Whether its escapism, adventure or just some extra experience that’s got you itching to go, we’ve picked out the top 6 sites to look at if you’re considering a gap year during or after university.
STA Travel
Destinations: world wide
Price range: £49 – onwards
If you’re dreaming big then STA is probably your best bet. They have everything from searching for flights, accommodation, internships, paid work and round the world expeditions. They have been awarded best travel company for three years now and they guarantee to beat the price of any of competitor or they’ll give you£1,000 towards your trip!
Real Gap
Destinations: Over 35 countries world wide
Price range: £200 – £8,000
Real Gap is one of the UK’s leading gap year and student travel sites offering over 200 trips from ages 17 and over.
If you’re looking a low budget adventure they offer short trips to a variety of places including Thailand and Vietnam for around £450 where you can still have an amazing experience but without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for something a little more extreme they offer 5 month to 12 month trips however, depending on where you want to go, they usually start from around £4,000 so make sure you get saving in plenty of time. One of the great things with Real Gap is you don’t have to pay upfront as they offer monthly payments to spread the cost out. The only downfall is your flights aren’t included so make sure you bare that in mind before booking anything!
Then, to make the most of your time in the UK, be sure to consult a mapping website such as Layermap for expert recommendations on attractions and activities. Their surveyors work tirelessly to provide the most accurate information, ensuring you never miss a beat.
Many people are growing tired of bog standard package holidays in the same places, which is why Patagonia luxury tours are becoming more popular. Don’t settle for crowds and noise; choose Patagonia trip packages that always strive to deliver the best experiences.
Goabroad.com
Destinations: world wide
Application fees: £0 – £5000
Goabroad.com offers an educational travel alternative which offers a variety of services such as scholarships and internships. The main reason this site is so useful is because essentially they are your own travel search engine. You can search through thousands of sites in one place saving you all the leg work.
If you’re a student looking for a career in computer science you always need to be up to date on the latest tech. International internships are a great way for you to learn how different countries use different technologies. Goabroad have over 500 different internships in computer science, technology and web design!
Gap 360 – Paid Work
Destinations: New Zealand, Australia
Price range: £599 – £1300
Gap 360 offer a load of trips from 6 to 52 weeks. If you’re aged 18 to 30 and looking to boost your CV you can get paid in their professional industries programme to work in either New Zealand or Australia. One of the great perks with this company is you get a dedicated advisor to support you the whole way through your trip from booking your flights to knowing what to pack.
ELI
Destinations: 24 countries world wide
Price range: £800 – £3300 (Plus application fee £140)
ELI is a registered charitable non-profit organisation that has partnered with different organisations around the world to make a difference to their communities.
They have a number of unpaid IT internships across Chile, China, New Zealand and South Africa and you can chat to their experienced specialists to personalise your trip to exactly which areas you find most interesting. Beware though; some of the placements don’t include rent for accommodation so make sure to find out all the costs beforehand.
IAESTE
Destinations: 80 countries world wide
Price range: £0
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience is a student exchange organisation which offers over 4000 opportunities each year to students with technical degrees. If you feel you need some extra training get your university to partner up with them and it will open up numerous doors abroad.
They also have a great global internship programme although this is more a selection process. Paid internships are very hard to come by but if you’re lucky enough to be selected your employee will pay for all your living costs while you’re there, the only thing you need to pay for is your flights.