Gap Year Travel in Europe on a Budget

By Josie Herring

During the spring portion of my gap year I spent 2 months traveling solo-ish in Europe. Although this was never in my original gap year plan, I had to rearrange my plans quite a few times and it is where I ended up and I am so grateful that I did. This past year was a weird time to take a gap year with ever-changing COVID restrictions, war, and multiple other factors. Not only did I get to learn about the world and myself, but I also learned the importance of going with the flow. I’ve always considered myself to be a flexible person, able to move wherever life takes me but in all honesty, this was a totally different ballgame. I had never traveled alone for so long and I had never left home with no idea when I would come back. In March, I booked a one way plane ticket to Copenhagen and packed up my backpack and took off with minimal plans, a tight budget, and no return flight home. I had plans to meet a friend in Copenhagen and then head to Cadiz, Spain to spend 3 weeks at a Spanish school. From there, I had pretty vague ideas about where I would end up. I found this a little bit stressful at first but as I got into it I realized there was no need to be as worried as I was. As soon as my plane landed in Copenhagen, I was ready to go wherever my feet (and FlixBus) would take me.

Semana Santa in Cadiz, Spain

Before continuing, I would like to restate that I did this on a pretty strict and pretty much self-funded budget. I spent a lot of my senior year of high school and the summer after graduation working 40+ hours a week between two jobs, as well as picking up odd jobs like dog sitting and babysitting on the side to make my gap year possible. Before departing for this trip, I had moments of weariness. Did I have enough money to actually do this? Would I be able to make it work on my budget? The answers were yes. In total I had around $6000 in savings when I left and ended up using a little over $5000 for the total 2 months of my trip. There were small sacrifices I had to make along the way such as choosing to take a $15 ten hour bus ride over a $40-$50 six hour train ride or spending less on food (by cooking at my hostel rather than eating out every meal) in order to purchase tickets to see things like The Alhambra in Granada or Belem Tower in Lisbon. In the end, it was always worth it. Maybe I was on a bus for ten hours, but hey I got to see the beauty of the Spanish countryside. Maybe I spent a little less on food some days by cooking rather than eating out, but I got to walk around sites filled with history and culture.

Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Moving on from budgets and finances and to the actual traveling part, it’s safe to say I was pretty nervous going into this trip. I had very minimal experience traveling alone, especially outside of the United States so the idea was pretty daunting at first. I wasn’t solo for my entire trip and met up with friends in a couple different places, but for the majority of the time I was on my own. My main concerns were having to navigate new cities and countries alone and being extremely lonely during the solo portions of my trip. Madrid was the first city I visited by myself and also where I realized there was no need to be as nervous as I was. I immediately made a new friend my first day there and was able to keep doing this for the rest of my trip. Not only did staying primarily in hostels help me to save money but it also allowed me to meet people in every city that I visited. I never felt truly alone because I was constantly meeting new people and spending time exploring new places and experiences with my newfound friends. I even met people that I’m still in contact with and plan to see again even after leaving them behind and returning home.

During my travels across Europe, I saw places I had previously only ever dreamed of visiting. I visited stellar museums in Copenhagen, bustling food markets in Spain, colorful tiled buildings in Portugal, castles in Budapest, and the clearest water I have ever seen in my life in Croatia. I spent a big portion of my trip (3 weeks) at a Spanish school in Cadiz, Spain. I spent each week going to classes in the morning and then exploring the smaller city during my afternoons. Not only was I able to learn and improve at Spanish, but the school also offered cultural activities where we were able to learn about the history and culture of the city and country we were in. I was able to learn and improve my Spanish skills while also getting to form a connection with the city I was in and the people around me. My time at the school prepared me to continue traveling around Spain afterwards as well. I left Cadiz with better (but still not perfect) Spanish and more knowledge about culture and customs in Spain. I found it easier to visit different cities like Granada and Barcelona because I felt as though I was more prepared to communicate and navigate the cities. The rest of my time in Spain was spent visiting centuries old landmarks, art museums such as the Picasso museum in Barcelona, and also eating amazing food. From Spain I headed to Portugal, a country somewhat similar but also totally different from Spain. I spent most of my time in Portugal exploring the most picturesque places such as the Algarve, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal in Porto, and the ancient architecture of Portugal's past.

Lisbon, Portugal

Originally I planned to only visit Copenhagen, Spain, and Portugal but as time went on I was ready to see something new. I found a cheap round trip flight to Budapest with a return flight from Dubrovnik and less then 48 hours after booking it, I was off to a completely different part of the continent. That spontaneous decision is probably one of the best I made during my entire trip. I got to see historical pieces of Budapest and learn more about Hungarian culture. From Budapest I headed to Zagreb, Croatia where everyone was welcoming and kind. During my first day I did a walking tour (one of my favorite activities in any city I visited) and got to learn about the history of Croatia, Yugoslavia, and some of the awesome things we have today that came out of Croatia (electric light bulbs for example!).

Split, Croatia

By the end of my trip, I felt as though I had left a small piece of my heart in every place I visited. After coming home, everyone asked me my favorite place I went to, my favorite things that I did, my favorite foods that I ate, etc. Those questions were extremely difficult to answer because everywhere I went had something different that I loved. Semana Santa celebrations in Cadiz, the Alhambra in Granada, Park Guell in Barcelona, Rua Augusta Arch in Lisbon, the Jewish quarter of Budapest, the old towns of Croatia, and so much more. It’s impossible to pick a favorite place or favorite thing out of all of these amazing experiences.

Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest. Hungary

In the end, I am extremely grateful I decided to take a gap year and for all the places it took me. I am grateful that all of my plans changed and I ended up in places I never planned to visit this year. I am grateful for all the people I met and the connections I created with people from all across the globe. And finally, I am so grateful that I was able to have the experience of traveling alone for the first time. It gave me a chance to spend more time with myself and really evaluate myself. Every person in life builds their personality from the people they spend the most time around and in a way, our personalities are all just little pieces of each other. Traveling by myself gave me the chance to discover more about who I am and what I want from life without the presence of close friends and family from home. While it’s fun to travel with friends and it’s fun to have people to share our experiences with, it’s also liberating to travel alone and amazing to see how you can develop from doing so.

Josie was the 2021 Recipient of the Free to Roam Adventures Gap Year Counseling Scholarship. For details, or to apply click here.

Gap Year Planning Amid COVID-19

Students who a few months ago thought they would be going away to college in the fall, are now dealing with uncertainty, with some considering the gap year option for the first time as they find themselves having to choose a college without being able to visit in person. Know that you are not alone. This experience is a powerful reminder of how interconnected and interdependent the world is. We are all experiencing the vulnerability and collective strength that comes from that interdependence.

There is no specific formula for what a gap year looks like. While a gap year this fall might look a little different than some did pre-COVID-19, there’s no reason to expect the potential benefits will change.

Moving Forward with Gap Year Planning

1) Focus on Your Gap Year Goals  

Ask yourself: Why do I want to take a gap year & What do I hope to get out of my gap year? With those goals in mind, I am working with clients to come up with at least 3 different options for each of their gap year phases (fall & spring). If one of your gap year goals is improving a foreign language, you might consider different options for language learning including different destinations for immersion experiences, as well as online learning options. This allows you to have some flexibility and adjust your plans based on what the situation is in the month or weeks before you are scheduled to launch that phase of your gap year.

2) Consider Dividing Your Gap Year Into Shorter Blocks 

By breaking your gap year into different blocks of experiences and locations, you allow yourself flexibility with your plans and don't risk having your entire gap year upended if one part of your gap year needs to be rescheduled. This also allows you some extra time to shuffle plans around, postpone, or make changes as necessary.

An example for the fall semester might look something like this:

Mid-September - Mid-October  4-week Outdoor Education Program in the U.S.  +  Mid-October - November  Online Teaching English as Foreign Language Certification Course  +  November - Mid-December  4-6 weeks of Volunteering as a Teaching Assistant in Central America.

OR

September 4-week Filmmaking Workshop + October Return home to apply to colleges & volunteer locally + November U.S. Road Trip with a friend while working on creative project to build your portfolio. December - January Work at home to save money for spring travels (ie. filmmaking internship abroad)

3) Consider Domestic Options (at least for the fall)

Maybe you were hoping to do some volunteering abroad to help people in need during your gap year. Coronavirus has highlighted the inequity that exists in our own society, as low-income families face food insecurity and children without internet access miss out on remote learning opportunities. There are likely families in your own community who could benefit from your unique skill set. You might consider tutoring younger students at your local elementary or middle school. You could volunteer at a local food bank or as a driver for meals on wheels. Check with local volunteer organizations or look on idealist.org to see if there are volunteer opportunities listed near you.

If are looking for a year-long service opportunity you might consider applying to be a fellow with CityYear. City Year is an affiliate of Americorps that recruits qualified volunteers to serve as tutors and mentors in public schools across the U.S.

Those that are passionate about conservation and the environment might seek out opportunities to volunteer with a Conservation Corps in their region. Depending on where in the country you serve, you might be involved in trail building and habitat restoration, disaster response, historic preservation, organic farming, urban forestry, or a range of other activities

If you are interested in politics, you might consider dedicating a portion of your gap year to political organizing. You could volunteer for a local candidate or work on a get out the vote campaign. Visit Election 2020 Gap Year for more ideas on ways to become politically engaged during your gap year.

4) Look for Opportunities to Earn College Credit

The coronavirus pandemic has affected many families’ financial situations, making it even more important that a gap year experience be affordable and offer excellent value. Keep in mind, if you defer your offer of admission for a gap year, most colleges will stipulate that you can not earn college credit elsewhere during your gap year. Earning college credit might only be an option if you decide to re-apply to colleges next year, rather than requesting a deferral.

One option that many students are weighing is whether to take a gap year or enroll at a local community college. Why not both? Students could choose to enroll part time at a local community college while also participating in a regular volunteer activity (tutoring, food bank, conservation work, political organizing, etc.).

Some organized gap year programs also offer the option to earn college credit outside of a classroom. A gap semester program with the option to earn a semester of college credit would allow families to get more value for their money. Imagine traveling with a group of peers, engaging in adventure activities, service, and cultural exploration while earning a semester of college credit. Students would get a semester of experiential learning with a small cohort of peers AND a semester of college credit, (often for less than at a 4 year institution). A gap year program with college credit typically costs around $10-15,000 and is sometimes eligible to be paid with a 529 college savings plan.

If a student were to choose to pursue both of these scenarios, (community college + volunteering locally in the fall & a gap year program with college credit in the spring) they might find themselves having completed a year worth of college credit during their gap year.

5) Ask About Cancellation Policies & Itinerary Changes 

Many gap year organizations have already begun creating contingency plans for the fall. Most providers have extended their refund policies, so that students can cancel without significant financial penalty up until a later date than usual. Inquire directly with any program providers about questions or concerns you might have about contingency plans they might be considering (changing itineraries, shortening trips, etc.) and specific details about cancellation and refund policies. Be sure to ask what would happen if the program is interrupted. Would refunds be issued? How much? Be sure that you fully understand the terms you are agreeing to and are comfortable with them.

Understand what travel insurance does and does not cover. Many insurance providers are not offering cancel for any reason coverage, or coverage for travel plans that are canceled or interrupted due to the pandemic (ie. flights canceled or borders closed because of COVID).

6) Remain Informed

Follow the news coming from public health experts at the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The U.S. State Department provides advice for U.S. travelers, and also allows travelers to enroll in the S.T.E.P program to receive alerts based on your travel itinerary. I recommend that ALL travelers enroll in the S.T.E.P program, whether there is an ongoing pandemic or not. Just because it might be deemed safe for Americans to travel, you want to ensure that you are not a vector for COVID-19 and unknowingly bring it to an unaffected area. Speak with your physician for advice on ways to stay healthy and avoid becoming a vector for COVID-19. You can view a comprehensive list of country specific international travel restrictions and domestic (internal) restrictions on International SOS.

7) Remain Cautiously Optimistic

This will be over, eventually. In the meantime we can all do our part to stop the spread by staying home this spring.

A gap year consultant can help find and coordinate a variety of experiences that align with your goals and budget. We find opportunities that might not be specifically marketing themselves as a “gap year program”, but align with your interests and budget, and could make a great addition to your gap year. The expertise and flexibility that a consultant offers can help families save time and money. Plus, we serve as mentors to students to help them think critically and make meaning from their gap year experience. If you’d like advice or just need assistance deciding if a gap year is right for you, you can schedule a no-obligation brainstorming call here.

I feel hopeful and cautiously optimistic about the future. I am hopeful that when this is over, with lessons of empathy, resilience and interconnectedness, we can all move forward in our lives with greater compassion, grit, and a stronger sense of community.

Susan Staley

Gap Year Planning Tips

Tips for Planning a Meaningful Gap Year 

Planning a gap year might seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you don’t know many students who have taken a gap year. Maybe you know someone who has taken a gap year, but feel their experience is not what you want for your gap year. There is no single formula for a “good” gap year, but there are a few simple guidelines that I believe can help you navigate the planning process.

• Make it uniquely yours! What worked well for someone else might not be right for you.

• Start with some structure & support, then transition to experiences that allow for greater independence.  Selecting gap year opportunities that are appropriate to each individual student’s experience and comfort level helps students to be challenged appropriately, while maximizing opportunities for growth.

  Keep in mind, opportunities that offer a higher level of structure and support (ie. program leaders supervising students 24/7) tend to cost more. This extra support can be worthwhile and provides parents with peace of mind. Students with a high degree of independence, good communication skills, and previous experience away from home might benefit from gap opportunities that allow them to experience more freedom and individual responsibility.

• Incorporate practical skill-building experiences, as well as, fun & adventure. Time spent exploring  personal interests and trying new things allows students to reflect on their own values while exploring critical life questions:  Who am I? What kind of life do I want for myself?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning “reason for being”

• The gap year planning process should be student driven. Gap Year Consultants & parents assist with research and guidance, but students should be active contributors throughout the planning process.

• A gap year experience does not need to be specifically created and marketed as a “Gap Year Program”. Work or volunteering while living at home, WOOFING or WorkAway, Interning or Job Shadowing, or participating in an all ages Volunteer Program Abroad can all be excellent gap year experiences.

  Consider including at least one non-gap year specific experience into your gap year. Through work, volunteering, interning, or job shadowing, students are able to interact with diverse age groups or folks from different backgrounds. These experiences allow students to broaden their perspective (without necessarily leaving their hometown); while honing critical life skills, such as, motivation, communication, time management, and more.

Want more advice on planning a meaningful gap year? Schedule a no obligation introductory consultation today!

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!