Why You Should Take A Year Off To Travel?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The great thing about having a year off to travel is that

time is less of a pressure than normal

. You can take the long way, or just stay in one place for a while and house-sit in free accommodation. You can also mitigate some of the cost by earning money as you go [see 9 Ways to Make Money While Travelling].

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Is it OK to take a year off from work?


Taking a year off work can be a great way to recharge and plan for the steps you want to take in your future career

. You might take a year off work for several reasons, like wanting to change careers or wanting to take time to improve yourself.

Why you should travel the world for a year?


Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things

. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones.

Is it a good time to take a gap year?

A gap year can take many forms, be taken at anytime, any age, and for however long your little heart desires. And take it from anyone who has ever taken “time off” to travel—

it’s worth it

(and it’s not really time off at all). A gap year isn’t merely a hole to be filled as you aimlessly drift through life.

Is it worth taking a year off to travel?

The great thing about having a year off to travel is that

time is less of a pressure than normal

. You can take the long way, or just stay in one place for a while and house-sit in free accommodation. You can also mitigate some of the cost by earning money as you go [see 9 Ways to Make Money While Travelling].

Is it smart to take a year off?


A year off can be a golden opportunity to bond more with your kids and strengthen family ties

. Enjoy some R&R: Maybe you’re ready for some you time after years on the job. Everyone can benefit from taking time off to relax, enjoy life and decompress, whether it’s a week’s vacation or an extended leave.

What is it called when you take a year off work?

What is

sabbatical leave

? A sabbatical is usually a long or extended pause from work, which can last from two to 12 months (sometimes even longer). This time can be used for personal development, to carry out voluntary work, to travel or simply to take a break from the stress of work.

What do you put on a resume if you are unemployed for a year?

  • Write a compelling headline. …
  • Highlight your skills. …
  • List professional training or seminars. …
  • Include freelance experience. …
  • Update your terminology. …
  • Mention your involvement in a professional organization or relevant trade group. …
  • Omit the months from your employment dates.

How do I not work for a year?

  1. Cut your expenses and keep them low — attack lifestyle inflation. …
  2. Upskill so that you make more money — work smarter not harder. …
  3. Build an emergency fund (3–6 months) …
  4. Get rid of your bills — paying off most of your debt. …
  5. Calculate your “year off” fund.

Why should we travel every day?

They travel every day

to reach different destinations including educational institutes, workplaces, or markets

. They often travel to meet someone, visit a place where they engage in recreational activities, buy or sell something, to fulfil a personal or professional need and so on.

What are the 7 benefits of traveling?

  1. Travel Makes You Happier. …
  2. Travel Lets You Disconnect & Recharge. …
  3. Traveling Relieves Stress and Anxiety. …
  4. Travel Exposes You to New Things. …
  5. Travel Exposes Others to New Things. …
  6. Travel Makes You Physically Healthier. …
  7. Traveling Can Boost Your Creativity.

Why is travel important to life?

Traveling fosters a medium to build human connections with one another by learning about culture, food, new sites, music, and the way people live their day to day lives in different parts of the world. It’s the best on-site learning a person can get. The internet can only explain so much about a place.

What are the pros and cons of taking a gap year?

  • PRO: It’ll make your résumé stand out. …
  • CON: You’ll be ‘pausing’ your studies or traditional job for a year. …
  • PRO: You’ll meet new people and gain a broader perspective. …
  • CON: You might get homesick. …
  • PRO: You’ll gain stories through new experiences. …
  • CON: There are financial and personal risks.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year?

  • PRO: It gives you time to pursue other passions. …
  • CON: You risk losing your academic momentum. …
  • PRO: It gives you the opportunity to work and get money behind you. …
  • CON: You risk wasting a lot of valuable time. …
  • PRO: It could look impressive on your CV. …
  • CON: It can be very expensive.

Are students who take gap years more successful?

According to a study of GPA results by Robert Clagett, the former Dean of Admissions at Middlebury College,

gap-year students tended to outperform in college by 0.1 to 0.4 on a 4.0 scale

, with the positive effects lasting over the entire four years.

How much travel is too much?


Spent more than 200 hours in flight

, not counting time in airports. Flown two-thirds of those hours on your personal time – on weekdays before 8am or after 6pm, or on weekends. Crossed more than 80 time zones. Spent 10 or more weeks away from home.

How do you travel without being broke?

  1. Try house sitting or pet sitting. …
  2. Teach or build something while you’re away, in exchange for free room and board. …
  3. Or volunteer to live and work on an organic farm. …
  4. Get a salaried job where you can work overseas. …
  5. Or work remotely — while traveling.

How do you travel if your broke?

  1. Plan around off-peak travel times.
  2. Stay in hostels.
  3. Take free classes.
  4. Hostels often have free food.
  5. Venture off-the-beaten-path to save money.
  6. Treasure experiences over material things.
  7. Work in a hostel.
  8. Do you know how much a visa costs?

Did Steve Jobs take a gap year?

During a gap year, you may discover something new that you love to do that can actually point you in the right direction of a career to pursue. Did You Know:

In 1974, Steve Jobs took a gap year to travel

? After spending months in India, he came back to America with the inspiration to change the world.

Is it OK to take a semester off?


Taking a semester off college is completely OK if your reason is strong enough

. Financial, personal, and career choices are common reasons why student choose to take a break. If you are facing a dilemma and truly believe taking a semester off is the right thing to do, then you should.

What if I take a year off from college?

Taking a year off college also

helps students define their focus and purpose while giving them a break from everyday academic pressure

. U.S. News and World Report states that students who take gap years return to school more motivated and more confident in their interests.

Is it OK to quit job and take a break?

By resigning from your job,

you have the freedom to take a career break for as long as you like because you are not tied to the organisation

. You can use a career break as an opportunity to work on your career change without having the feeling of having to return to your old job after a few months.

What do employers think of gap years?

“Generally, employers view gap years

very favourably

as they are looking for more than just a degree from graduates”. Having additional skills is a huge plus for recruiters and if your gap year can help show of these skill are a huge bonus.

Is it harder to get a job when unemployed?

A UCLA study found that

companies are less likely to hire unemployed people because personnel hold a bias against them

. The prejudice against the unemployed doesn’t just apply if someone has been out of work for a while; instead, it can come up even if someone recently quit or lost their job.

How do I get a job if I haven’t worked in 20 years?
  1. Start with some research. …
  2. Update your resume. …
  3. Use your network. …
  4. Treat your job search like a full-time gig. …
  5. Hone your skills. …
  6. Embrace flexibility. …
  7. Offer meaningful ideas to potential employers. …
  8. Ooze positivity, in person and online.

What do I put for current title if unemployed?

  • Leave your role and company as your current position.
  • Leave your Current Position blank.
  • Unemployed (job title) at Unemployed (company).
  • Desired Title (job title) at Currently Seeking New Opportunities (company).

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.