Higher Education
• Budget wisely: A sabbatical can be costly, so managing your money is essential. Calculate your estimated expenses, including travel, accommodation, food, and leisure activities. Then compare it to your available savings or potential earnings during the year. If you’ re travelling abroad, consider that country’ s exchange rate for your ZARs. Creating a budget ensures you won’ t run out of cash halfway through. Allocate funds for essentials first, and keep a portion aside for emergencies.
• Stay engaged academically: Taking a break does not mean falling behind on your studies or losing your learning habits. It’ s best to keep your mind sharp during this time. Some of the ways you can continue learning include online courses, reading, learning a new language and attending workshops.
How do I finance my gap year?
This requires careful planning. Estimate your total expenses, including travel, accommodation, meals, and activities. Once you have a budget, you can explore ways to meet it. Here are some options to fund your sabbatical year:
• Save, save, save: If possible, save money by cutting unnecessary expenses in the months leading up to your gap year.
• Get a part-time job: Such as waitressing or freelance work – before leaving, or even while you ' re abroad.
• Grants or scholarships: Some programmes, especially those for volunteering, education, or cultural exchanges, offer financial support.
• Crowdfunding: Platforms like GoFundMe allows friends and family to contribute to your plans.
• Budget-friendly programmes: Look for options that include accommodation or food in their fees.
How can I volunteer abroad during my gap year?
Volunteering abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to spend a sabbatical year. Not only do you give back to communities, but you will also gain new experiences that enrich your personal growth. It takes a bit of preparation to find the right opportunity. First:
• identify your interests
• research programmes
• check requirements
• apply in advance
• plan for visas and travel
What are the skills and experiences I can look forward to gaining during a gap year?
While the specific lessons depend on how you spend your sabbatical year, you will learn practical skills such as time management and fitting into diverse environments – work and otherwise. Perhaps you’ ll have learnt a new language. You will also gain confidence and increase your problem-solving abilities as you navigate obstacles.
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