Gap Year,a worried parent!

Ripata_2

Hi, my Daughter is thinking of taking a gap year before she starts uni,she is looking to work abroad for 6 months,she has found a company which has many different work options in different countries,im a bit worried,has anyone else heard about real gap? Thanks.

WolfSong2000

Have heard of real gap, but not sure of their reputation...may be worth doing some more research. https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk would be able to help...they have a gap year section, and I'm sure Real Gap has been mentioned.

I have to say, it often works out cheaper to sort things out yourself without going through a company, but it depends where your daughter wants to work/travel. Whereabouts is she thinking of visiting? I spent my gap year abroad in the USA, and 4 years later, I'm going back to work their for the summer .

Stubert

I was on https://www.gapyear.com and quite a few people were complaining about Real Gap.


http://boards.gapyear.com/index.php?op=vt&c=15&f=355&t=241806

They discuss them in this thread, basically just saying its a rip off - they charge a lot and don't give any money to the projects despite saying they will.


From the sounds of it, your DD may be cheaper organising it herself or through another company. They discuss cheaper/more ethical ones on that board.

flutterbyuk25

I haven't used Real Gap myself but I have plenty of friends who have and have said they are excellent.

Research everything, speak to her college/school/uni careers advisers to see if they can recommend any companies.

x

WolfSong2000

Stubert wrote: »

I was on www.gapyear.com and quite a few people were complaining about Real Gap.


http://boards.gapyear.com/index.php?op=vt&c=15&f=355&t=241806

They discuss them in this thread, basically just saying its a rip off - they charge a lot and don't give any money to the projects despite saying they will.


From the sounds of it, your DD may be cheaper organising it herself or through another company. They discuss cheaper/more ethical ones on that board.

I've heard similar things, but can't remember if it was in reference to Real Gap...know others have said that quite often you can organize volunteer placements once you're in the country directly with the organization...this has the benefits of being cheaper, and also 100% of the money will go to the organization.

Awec

Ensure that she does something really useful in her gap year.

When she goes for interviews, they'll notice a gap and she'll need to explain (with good reasons) why she took a gap year etc.

Just taking a gap year for the sake of it is not a good idea.

Ripata_2

Thanks for all your replies, i will take a look at sites recomended,it all seems a bit to good to be true to me,the thing is she has been accepted at uni for oct,but says she feels like she has been studying for ages and wants to defer for a year,i can understand what she means but at just 18 i think there will be plenty of time for travelling. Maybe thats just me being a concerned mum!

WolfSong2000

Ripata wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies, i will take a look at sites recomended,it all seems a bit to good to be true to me,the thing is she has been accepted at uni for oct,but says she feels like she has been studying for ages and wants to defer for a year,i can understand what she means but at just 18 i think there will be plenty of time for travelling. Maybe thats just me being a concerned mum!

I took a gap year and it did me the world of good - I came back to uni as a much more mature person, had more life experience behind me and I really wanted to study, whereas the thought of going straight into another 4 years (I am at a scottish uni) of education didn't sit well with me...I think kids need a bit of a break, and as long as you do something worthwhile with you gap year, then it can only be a good thing. Uni's like it because students tend to be more mature afterwards, and employers like it because you've accumulated (hopefully) some life experience.

I worked in the UK for most of my gap year, and then spent 3 months traveling round the USA. I was fine, and I learned so much about myself, and gained a lot of experiences that I would have missed out on if I'd gone straight to uni.

FreheitOverture

I have heard good things about RealGap although their prices are much higher than many other companies