The idea that travel broadens the mind and the lure of a novel experience in a foreign land has taken its effect on students world wide. Each year thousands of young aspiring travelers embark on the journey of a lifetime known as their ‘gap year’.

Traditionally the Gap Year divides two stages in life, most commonly between high school and University or the work force. The concept originates from the post World War 11 era, when youths where encouraged to travel to promote international understanding and prevent future global conflict.

Antagonistic westerners frowned upon the idea and viewed it as a ‘cop out’ until recently when these gap-year-bigot’s views have come to a sea change. Parents and guidance counselors have become gap year savvy, realized potential benefits, u-turned their negative views and are now encouraging students to take the globetrotting plunge into the world of youth travel.

The idea has remained alike although stabilization in international hostility has altered the basis in which students now travel. Personal growth, gaining life experiences, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people and not least partying, are just a handful of the modern gap year traveler’s objectives. It not only prepares students for the austerity of life after high school and grants them the opportunity to experience the wonders of far-away lands but allows them to have while doing so.

Despite its adopted name the ‘gap year’ can range from anything between a few months to the full year. Many students trade in the cold winter months of home for the summer climate of the opposite hemisphere and return home for the following summer. Large contingents of these sun-seeking students are enlisting on the camp counselor’s pay roll across the United States, Europe, and Australasia.  This opportunity allows students to experience ‘the hot season’ in a new country and obtain enough money to fund post-camp-travel.  Other popular employment opportunities include ski, snow and chalet work, water sports and hospitality work, however paid employment is not the only vacant situation open for gap year travelers.

Voluntary and humanitarian work is growing in popularity as it introduces students to contrasting surroundings and cultures of home-life in developing countries.  Opportunities range from sports coaching, animal conservation, community development, teaching and internships throughout Asia, Africa, South America and Australasia. Through the much needed voluntary and humanitarian work, students are discovering the true meaning of the proverb ‘he who cuts the wood, warms himself twice’, and according to many testimonials the rewards of aiding less fortunate societies can be greater than any of monetary value.

For those travel hungry students who wish to pack as many different sites into their gap year there are multiple tour companies who specialize in gap year specific tours. Whether it be soaking up the Mediterranean sun in Spain or skiing the slopes in New Zealand, there are tours that cater for all travel desires. One such company describes a young traveler’s life as ‘an empty backpack waiting to be stuffed full with unforgettable travel experiences’.   And embarking on one of these tours is a great way to ensure the ‘travel backpack’ is packed full of memorable junkets rather than forgettable junk.