A few months ago, I decided to start a gap year which I like to call my crazy little adventure...
It is a lifestyle where you sometimes don’t know what tomorrow will be like. It can sometimes be terrifying and overwhelming, but don’t get me wrong, overall a very good experience. By getting out of a job, or studies, you loose a considerable amount of stability and routine, leading you way out of your confort zone. For me, before getting out in this wild gap year world, you should always keep an objective or a goal in mind, allowing you to pursue whatever you want the following year. As this topic is very large, I would like to concentrate on my personal experience which began 4 months ago now.
I have always been an academic person, working hard at school to have good marks. This move, trust me, was way out of my confort zone. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in event management, I was hoping to jump straight in another 2 years of studies. Unfortunately, my profile wasn’t matching with the course’s requirements. Now, I can say that this was for the best! When I came back home after some amazing holidays with my family and friends, I slightly panicked as I was out in the world, without anything to hold on to. It was time to let go of the shallow, and do what I’ve secretly always wanted to, going abroad. Fortunately, being a dual-national comes handy in this situation, as half of my family lives in the UK. I was offered to stay with them in Devon, which is a VERY lost part of England, but has so much to offer that you forget about it VERY quickly.
Nobody ever told me that moving abroad would be this difficult, even next doors from France, and (not so sure now) in the E.U. From admin to insurances paperwork, it took me a good few weeks to fully settle down there. It was now time to find a job, which I wanted to be customer-orientated, either in the retail or catering area. I got a few interviews and trials there and then, and finally got a proper shift in a gastro pub. I spent just under 2 months there, but learnt a lot about shift-working, service, food & beverage. Never would I thought I could be good at it nor have fun! I was in addition surrounded by amazing people, from team members to managers, and improved my general confidence a lot.
Being in another country involves (heavily) missing your loved ones, from family, friends to animals! Thanks to the digital world, I managed to be in touch with them on a daily basis via FaceTime, but still missed everybody a lot. I was lucky enough to come back home a few days after 7 weeks apart, and was later on joined by my family for Christmas. As I wanted a break from shift work, and really needed to have an abroad experience in my area of predilection, I decided to quit the place to look for something which would suit me better. It is a hard decision again, especially when you leave somewhere in good terms with a team. It also was a huge risk as apart from an interview, I didn’t have anything to hang on to.
At the time I am writing this first article, I found a side/extra job as a French & English tutor which would keep me going until I finally reach my desired path.
My tips for a UK gap year
Traveling
On a gap year abroad (Overseas or in Europe), don't forget to explore around, many amazing hidden places can be found this way. Even in the deadest part of the UK, I managed to organize a few trips around a few counties : Devon, Avon, Somerset, Dorset and London. Exploring is the best part of being abroad as every single journey is a discovery and enriches you. I strongly advise you to travel by bus when you can as the UK is very well deserved and cheap.
My pick: National Express, Stage Coach or MegaBus
Language
Many people do a gap year to improve their skills in a language or learn more about a specific culture. Learning a SL is a priority while you are there, but keep your MT ready for any professional use.
Job
Getting a job is a big step, and on a gap year you don’t want to feel trapped, or uncomfortable in a new position. The UK offers a type of contract called « 0h contract » allowing you to quit the job whenever you want (but the employer can ask you to leave the same way). You have to be very flexible in order to work under this contract as your weeks vary a lot, and you don’t have a regular income.
If you can, and have time, get yourself an extra/side online job, it will allow you to have an extra income by working from home!
My pick: Online tutoring at Tutorful (teach your MT to British students)
Documents that you should travel with (if you are a EU citizen)
Passport (of course)
European health insurance card https://www.ameli.fr/assure/droits-demarches/europe-international
Documents that you should get after you’ve arrived
National insurance number: it is easier to get one if you are employed or in the process of. Get yourself an appointment at your nearest Job Centre : https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
Bank account: essential if you don’t want to get international charges during your shopping spree. I strongly suggest Lloyds Bank, as they are very efficient with international money transfers.
This gap year is a once in a lifetime experience, so spend your time smartly. Allow yourself a break and take your time, as you don't want to hate your new life. Change is scary and stepping out of your confort zone even more, but you WILL get there, because you are ENOUGH.
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