Gift Ideas for Graduates Taking a Gap Year
The growing gap year trend has given us the opportunity to get creative (and in my opinion have more fun) with graduation gift giving. In case you are struggling with what to give a recent grad who is planning a gap year next fall, here are a few ideas based on my years of leading gap year and study abroad programs.
Portable Charger
A portable charger can be an especially practical gift if your graduate is planning any international travel during their gap year. My portable charger has been a lifesaver when relying on my phone for navigation while traveling, and useful for keeping my camera charged when in areas without easy or reliable power connection.
A Reusable Water Bottle
I recommend a sturdy 1 liter water bottle such as a Nalgene or a Klean Kanteen.
Headlamp
A headlamp is a critical piece of travel gear. Whether the gapper in your life plans to embark on a wilderness adventure or spend part of their year backpacking across Europe or WOOFING in Southeast Asia, they’ll likely use a headlamp on an almost daily basis.
Bamboo Utensil Set
Gap year students often find themselves on the go. A bamboo utensil set is ideal for a gapper planning to travel or backpack. A reusable utensil set will keep your gapper from relying on single-use disposable plastic ware, reducing the amount of waste they generate during their travels.
Frequent Flyer Miles
Flights aren’t cheap, and can account for a large portion of the gap year budget. Maybe you travel so much for work the last thing you want to do for vacation is set foot on an airplane. Put those miles to good use by gifting them to a gap year student in your life.
Guide Books
Lonely Planet and Rough Guides are always good options for gappers planning to explore several locations in one region or country. If your gapper plans to spend most of their time in one city, check out Citix60 Guides for urban artsy gappers, or City Cycling Guides for those keen to explore their home away from home on two wheels.
Travel Games
Bananagrams, The Game of Things, or a deck of cards with a fun design are great small gifts for students planning a gap year.
Blue Tooth Speaker
Some organized gap programs are technology free or technology light to encourage students to live in the present moment and allow for an improved social experience. A blue tooth speaker is great for group listening session and impromptu dance parties. Bose makes some small, portable speakers that could be great for a student taking a gap year.
Stuff Sacks & Reusable Containers
Whether planning an international trip or outdoor adventure in the United States, gappers need to pack all of their belongings for their trip into one suitcase or backpack. To stay organized I carry 3 different sized stuff sacks to keep track of smaller items, with the largest sack doubling as a laundry bag. I find that stuff sacks can be more versatile and save more space compared to packing cubes. A reusable tote bag that easily folds up can be used when shopping to avoid using plastic bags.
Reusable bags, like the Blue Avocado re-zip storage bags are an excellent alternative to disposable zip-lock bags. The medium re-zip bag is TSA approved for packing liquids in a carry-on bag.
While we’re on the theme of reusables… Reusable toiletry bottles are environmentally friendly and a wise investment for budget conscious travelers, like myself. For contact lens wearers Nalgene makes a small reusable drop-dispenser.
Combo Lock
I use a TSA approved combo lock to keep my valuables secured inside my backpack. Whether I am traveling by train, bus, or leaving my valuables in the hotel or hostel for the day I have found locking my backpack zippers with a small combo lock to be a good method of keeping my valuables secure. Combo locks can also be useful for hostel dorms that provide a locker, but expect you to provide your own lock.
Quick Dry Travel Towel
I have a quick dry travel towel that has been nearly everywhere with me. Whether your grad is planning a multi-country trip, an outdoor adventure, or will be staying in one place with limited access to laundry facilities a quick dry towel is a practical gift that they (and their fellow gappers) will appreciate. I also travel with a travel sized container of Dr. Bronners soap which can be used to shower, do laundry, and even brush your teeth!
Small, Lightweight Journal
Any student embarking on a gap year will want a journal where they can reflect on their experiences, make notes about details of places they've visited, or write down important information. There are loads of beautiful hard cover journals that you might be tempted to gift a graduate embarking on a gap year, but a small light weight journal, such as a mole skin notebook, is really ideal for a gapper on the move.
Cash or Gift Cards
It may seem impersonal, but gap years are rarely inexpensive and a graduate who is helping finance at least a portion of their gap year independently would appreciate any financial assistance they can get. Gift cards could help pay for big ticket items like a backpack or suitcase. Cash that can be used to pay for meals, a Euro rail pass, or go towards an emergency cash fund would make for a practical gift that meets an important need. If you want to get creative you could visit your bank to see if they can order the local currency of the country to which your gapper plans to travel.
Gap Year 101
What is a gap year? -- IT'S A GROWTH YEAR NOT A LOAF YEAR!
- A gap year is a period of time, usually between high school and college, when students take a break from formal classroom-based education to deepen their personal, practical, and professional awareness.
- Gap years are not a break from learning, instead gap years are intended to help students develop practical skills and gain greater clarity of personal values and goals for the future.
The best gap years are rooted in experiential education for a minimum of 2 months.
A well-planned gap year typically includes 2-4 of these components:
- Service/Volunteering
- Career Exploration
- Paid Work
- Travel/Adventure/Fun
Sample Gap Year Plan:
🍁 Fall Structured program with a group and instructors
🏡 Return home for holidays
❄️ Winter/Spring Explore possible major and/or career options via independent volunteer placement, internship, or work abroad
🌞 Summer Paid Work, Travel, Preparations for College
During your gap year you can expect to be challenged
- Different Cultural Traditions
- Foreign Languages
- Homesickness
- Stereotypes
- Physical & Mental Health
- Time & Money Management
But also rewarded...
- Broaden your perspective
- Improve your communication skills
- Develop greater maturity and resilience
- Develop greater clarity of academic major and/or career focus
- Gap year alumni demonstrate higher levels of engagement on campus and in their communities
- Research shows that students who took a gap year have higher GPAs compared to those who did not take a gap year
- Students who took a gap year are more likely to graduate in 4 years or less compared to national average of 6 years
How much does a gap year cost?
Cost of a gap year depends on a variety of factors (location, level of support, type of experience, etc.)
Most organized programs cost between $2,500 - $10,000+ per semester
Gap Year Advisors are another expense that can help you save money by offering guidance planning an independent experience. Gap Year Advisors recommend vetted programs, volunteer and internship options not always visible at fairs or in online searches.
A Service Year is a great low-cost option for a gap year experience and may make you eligible for a college scholarship upon completion. Many service year programs require a 10-12 month commitment. They typically cover all expenses and offer a modest living stipend. Examples: (AmeriCorps NCCC or City Year)
Timeline for Planning a Gap Year
- Apply to college in the fall of your senior year
- Decide if a gap year is right for you
- Research gap year opportunities (Attend Gap Year Fairs, Speak with a Gap Year Advisor)
- Apply to gap year programs late fall-spring of your senior year
- After receiving your offer of admission, request a deferral to the college you will attend when your gap year ends
Things to Consider
What is your motivation for taking a gap year?
What are you interested in exploring during your gap time?
What is your budget?
Do you want to travel? If so, where?
What are you comfortable with? (Solo or Peer-based travel? Rugged experiences? Rural homestays?)
Still have questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch!
