Gap Year Destinations

Sleepless nights studying, cramming for exams and days spent in the library are fond (or stressful) memories for every student. What better way to switch things up than taking a gap year after college, to spread your wings with a once in a lifetime experience. 

With COVID-19 restrictions easing gradually, a gap year is looking more and more like a genuine possibility. Wearing a mask and adhering to government guidelines will likely still be the best-practices, but hey, who’s going to let a mask and some hand sanitizer get in the way of the adventure of a lifetime?

So, you’re likely thinking - “But, where do I even start?” This Idyoma article is here to help you choose the perfect destinations to consider when taking a gap year after college.

Gap Year Destinations

1. Fiji

2. Vietnam

3. Australia

Make it a Break to Remember with a Gap Year Destination in Fiji

Fiji is a country of outstanding natural beauty, littered with crystal-clear blue lagoons and exquisite sandy beaches. There are a myriad of things to do in Fiji, whether it’s watersport and adrenaline-chasing activities, or exploring the luscious island forests, you’ll be well catered for.

The Mamanucas

The Mamanucas are a group of islands off the coast of Nadi that are popular with water sport enthusiasts. Here you can try snorkelling in the crystal clear waters, or even get your wet-suit on and get a surfing lesson! And once the day-trippers head back in-land at the end of the day, you’ll have this slice of paradise to yourself. 

If you’ve used the Idyoma App to learn some of the local lingo on your flight to Fiji, you could even try bartering with the Mamanucas locals to let you have a small camp-fire on the beach when the sun goes down.

The Yasawa Islands

There are 15 words in the Fijian language meaning Heaven and 'Yasawa' is the first. The Yasawa Islands have proved popular with those on a tighter budget, as they offer low-cost accommodation, cheap taxi/bus fares, and a bustling nightlife. The locals love to share stories and knock back a cocktail or two (or three!) with travellers. 

Accommodation is cheap as chips here. You can usually get a full, 2 bedroom apartment for around £25 per night. You can even book traditional Fijian cooking classes, where you’ll learn to make some of the most exquisite food I have ever tasted. Seriously.

Try a Gap Year Destination in Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam is a beautiful, instantly welcoming country that is, and always will be a popular destination for those taking a gap year after college. As a nation that is constantly growing and developing, there are endless things to do. But, what I love the most about Vietnam, is that all of this industry and development will always be overshadowed by the country’s sheer beauty and history… and that’s exactly how they like it to be.

Thrill-a-Minute City Life

The staple city of Vietnam, and the place I would recommend you visit, is Hanoi. This bustling, always-on jumble of alleyways and skyscrapers draws you in from the moment you arrive. The old quarter gives you a snapshot of traditional Vietnamese life, with street vendors and dive bars as far as the eye can see. 

Getting around Hanoi couldn’t be simpler. There is nowhere else on earth where you will feel more instantly assimilated into the local culture, than when you swing your leg over a motorbike for the first time in Hanoi. 

I would recommend staying in Ba Dinh; a quieter, more residential area of the city, but still close enough to the hustle and bustle that makes the city what it is. There are plenty of experiences to take in, with Ho Chi Minh’s Masoluem, the Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda to name a few.

Choose Australia as your Gap Year Destination

A list of gap year destinations wouldn’t be complete without Australia. This staggering country covers 7 million square kilometers, so naturally there’s more than a year’s worth of experiences to be had. It’s the perfect country for pretty much whatever you’re looking for.

Take in the staggering, arid outback with a 4x4 ride through some of the world’s harshest terrain, or keep it cool and artsy with a year living the city life in Sydney.

Sydney

The perfect place to play tourist, or fully immerse yourself and end up wanting to live there. You’ll find it so difficult to mask your love for this incredible city. First stop has to be the world-famous Sydney Opera House. With guided tours soon opening back up, you’ll get the chance to see the inner workings of this staggering piece of architecture. 

If you’re wanting to get some oh-so-grammable snaps, there’s Bondi Icebergs Pool located on Bondi Beach, and the stunning ‘Bar 83’ - Sydney’s highest bar. 

Affordable accommodation is easy to come by, whatever your budget. I’d recommend Bert’s Backpackers, a modern hostel from around $12 per night. Here, you’re sure to meet other travellers who are on the same adventure.

The Outback

Potentially one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of your life. A year working and learning in the Australian Outback. A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of programmes to get you started. 

You won’t just get dumped in the Outback and left to your own devices. You’ll likely be placed with an Aussie farming family, who’ll teach you the skills you need to work and live in this harsh part of the world for a year, such as off-road driving, horse riding and cattle herding. 

After starting your new Outback job, you’ll want to make the most of your downtime. This is where the hard hours working become worth it, and then some. Your first daytrip should be to see the staggering Uluru, an iconic symbol of Australia and its history. Lying in the heart of red rock country. The striking red monolith towers over the landscape at over 1000 feet high.

Next stop, Kakadu National Park. Helicopter tours are available daily to get a bird’s eye view of this wonderland of biodiversity. The park is home to about a fifth of all the nation’s animals, including crocs, kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos. The park also hosts thundering waterfalls and ancient Aboriginal rock art.

So, what did you think of these destinations to consider when taking a gap year after college?

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