The New Era of Gap Year Travel: Trip Stacking and Work Abroad Are on the Rise

Just as many adults-to-be anticipate the A-level results, they’re pondering what career path to take. While some are going straight into university or a job, others are taking a well-deserved break and travelling after their studies to figure out their future.

Gap year, known as a period of self-discovery, has been known to humanity for quite some time. The Department for Education and Skills in the UK estimates that between 200,000 and 250,000 young people take a gap year each year.

But how has the pandemic affected the gap year travel adventures, and what are the current trends amongst those wishing to take a year to themselves?

The pandemic-era gap year

As universities switched to online courses and the outlook for further education looked more digital than in-person, the fear of missing out (FOMO) on the whole university experience during the peak of the pandemic was kicking in. That gave gap years a boost.

According to Teaching Abroad Direct, there has been a 9.4% increase in gap years taken in 2020 compared to the year before. And with travel restrictions, many students were urged to spend their gap year closer to home.

“We’re seeing a lot of last-minute flight bookings to nearby destinations within Europe as opposed to the typical gap year destinations of Asia and Australia,” noted Sam Willan, general manager of UK and Australia markets at StudentUniverse.

While in 2021, people continued to explore destinations closer to home and steadily stepping out of the borders of Europe, in 2022, the thirst for far-away destinations is rekindled again. Gappers have gained the confidence to venture into the unknown yet again, and these are the trends that are shaping the new era of gap year travels.

Trip stacking

The pandemic taught us yet another lesson – planning and pre-booking your holiday is vital to ensure it doesn’t fall through.

Amidst the uncertainty of circumstances and flights getting cancelled left and right, leading to lost hopes and funds, travellers breathed life into a new travel trend – trip stacking. This stands for pre-booking, a number of trips that offer free refunds or flexible booking, meaning you secure your holiday spot and are immune to the risk of cancellations.

The primary generation tapping into this trend is, of course, Gen Zs, as well as young millennials. Adam Armstrong, CEO of the social travel tour company Contiki, explained in an interview with Fortune Magazine:

“They are travelling for longer periods — some exploring the world for months on end, flexing their remote work perks, taking advantage of the freedom that comes with being in between jobs or seizing the gap year between college and career life.”

Analysis of Contiki’s 2022 preliminary booking patterns shows a 375% increase in bookings to Greece, Italy, Egypt, and Costa Rica by 18-to-35-year-olds. They are “booking these trips back-to-back to really stretch their travel wings again,” added Armstrong.

The work abroad gap year

Taking a gap year can be quite costly. Based on the most popular countries to take a gap year in, Teaching Abroad Direct has estimated that the adventure will cost you £1,844 a month, or over £22,137. They have also estimated that the most expensive country to travel to is the USA (£5,023 per month) and the cheapest is India (£647 per month).

It’s no surprise that many young people use their gap year to earn money or do a work experience that prepares them for their future career path. Teaching Abroad Direct’s data shows that the majority of gappers do it to earn money (61%). And while the majority find work domestically (83%), others go working abroad (16%).

Working abroad can look like many things. Australia, for example, is on top of the wishlist of gappers-to-be for 2021 and is ideal for short-term employment through a working holiday visa. China is the mecca of teaching English abroad, while New Zealand has the best opportunities for work exchanges.

Earning money while travelling is a great way not only to ensure you have enough funds, but also to hone a new skill and further your career. So pack your smart men’s loafers along with your casual travel shoes and get ready for a taste of adventure and a new working environment.

Gap years are a great way to discover yourself and get a better understanding of your future. In the aftermath of the pandemic, gap years have become a more informed and better-planned experience with the aim of reaping all the benefits of your adventure.