What is a gap year?
A gap year (also called a sabbatical) is one or more years, after you have finished school or high school, where you take a break from studying. It can be before you start higher education or before you decide on a career path.
Many use their gap year to gain work experience and earn some money. But a gap year can also be used to focus clearly on what you want to do.
Besides a much-needed break, it can be a good time to get to know yourself better and think about the direction you want to take in your life. Both educationally and what you want to work with later on.
What should I do during my gap year?
Considering what to do during your gap year? For many, it can be a difficult decision, especially if you are not sure what you want to study or work with after education.
Many choose a gap year to gain relevant work experience for what they want to do afterward. Others take a gap year to take a break from studying, which they often have been doing for the past 10 years. In fact, 56% of students in Denmark take one or two gap years after finishing their studies.
Then there are also quite a few who take a gap year because they are unsure of what they want to do after their education is completed.
What you choose to do in your gap year should depend on what you want to use the year or years for. If you already have a goal in mind, it’s a good idea to make a plan – and if you’re unsure, it can actually be a good idea to try a few things before you decide.
Opportunities in Denmark vs abroad
In our example we use Denmark, however it is very similar in the rest of Northern Europe.
In Denmark, you can get unskilled jobs at, for example, supermarkets, as a waiter, at McDonald’s, or as a telesales agent.
If you choose a gap year abroad, we will primarily help you find jobs with customer contact with Danish customers. This can be as a Customer Service Agent, Sales Agent, Copywriter/Editor – or something else where you can benefit from speaking Danish.
Abroad, remember that there aren’t many others who speak Danish. Therefore, you will be in high demand if you can speak and write Danish at a reasonable level. Most can do this after completing high school.
Most companies abroad prefer to promote internally. So, after being hired, you may have an easier path to your dream position than in Denmark, where there are many more candidates for the positions.
The writer himself started as a Customer Service Agent, became a middle manager in the Danish team, and ended up as a Key Account Manager before returning to Denmark. If you want help making a plan for you and your goals, please contact us.
However, most choose to take a gap year to enjoy the country and have some new experiences. The experience is undoubtedly the most important aspect when you choose a gap year in an exciting, new country.
A clear career direction?
If you already know exactly what you want, you have two options. Either start the education/training immediately. Or take a gap year and enjoy that you can take a year away from the classroom guilt-free and have some experiences in the meantime.
Does it make more sense to take an unskilled job in Denmark or try something completely different abroad? It depends on you as a person and what you would like to do.
It all depends on your specific plans, but here are a couple of examples of how your gap year abroad could be used:
For example, if you’re going to be a real estate agent, consultant, or work with private or business customers? Then it can be a very good idea to gain some experience with customer contact and customer service, so you can apply with the right background – both personal knowledge and relevance to your CV.
Do you want to work with international trade, shipping, or at companies with departments in several countries? Then it can be smart to gain some experience with English. This can be through English work tasks in the job, or by living in an English-speaking country.
A break from studies now, with plans to restart?
Are you taking a break from studying as a breather after many years of school? Or perhaps with the intention of becoming more educated and qualified for your dream study?
Then it can be a good idea to get some work experience in the meantime, so you can earn your own money. And then there is a consistent thread in your CV afterward, which looks good for you.
There are both opportunities in Denmark, but certainly also abroad. Here you can choose freely from all shelves – either do something that you think sounds exciting, or choose something study-specific.
For example, if you want to study an international line at university, or are you going to study a degree involving communication? Then it could be a very good idea to take a gap year abroad, where you gain some international experience and make your profile even more relevant.
Are you applying for a degree that is difficult to get into? Then a gap year can give you some experience that helps your quota 2.
Of course, you also become more interesting as a person by having some cool stories and some nice pictures from the time you lived abroad 😊
Time to find yourself?
It may seem like a cliché, but many young people today need time to “find themselves” after their studies.
It has increasingly become the norm that at some point you become completely uncertain about what you want to do. And that’s perfectly okay.
Many experience the same feeling when they finish their studies and now have to get started with “something” – what on earth do I really want?!
For the writer himself, it took several years to find the direction. If you are in the same situation, it can be a really good idea to take some time away from familiar surroundings and the regular circle of friends. To start afresh and get to know yourself better.
A gap year can be an incredibly developing year. Both on a personal level, where you learn to be independent and take care of yourself, but also where you have time to feel and create your own direction in life. This often happens quite naturally on the journey when you move “completely” away from home.
If that’s the kind of year you need, the work itself may be secondary. The journey comes first, and it’s just about filling your trip with good experiences and new relationships!
If that’s the case, the most important thing will be to first find a stable job that you enjoy. So you don’t have to worry about money and can focus on yourself in the new country.
Great experience you take with you – no matter what
It may seem like a big decision to make, which job to choose. Remember that no matter which workplace you choose abroad, it will give you international experience and automatically make you stand out among others.
Whether it’s admission to your dream study or work experience that can be used to land your next job, you can be sure that you will not appear like all the other applicants. You will be noticed in a different way if you have had (and retained) a job abroad in your gap year.
Besides the practical experience you gain on your CV, it’s an experience you will remember for life. And the experience is for many the most important thing.
Whether you travel alone or with a friend/partner, it will be an unforgettable journey that you will undoubtedly look back on with a smile.
Take the next step!
Does it sound exciting for you to live abroad during your gap year? Are you ready for a life-changing experience? We at Next Job Abroad would like to talk further with you and help you on your way.
You get free help with applying for the right job, guidance for moving, and help finding housing in your new country – so what are you waiting for?
If you want to see which jobs abroad you can get during your gap year, you can see the open jobs abroad here.
