Taking a Gap Year during university is the perfect way to gain experience, feel empowered and still graduate when you planned to! It’s the perfect option if you don’t want to take a full year out and you can make sure you really get the most out of the experience.

Read on for all the reasons why taking a Gap Year during university is awesome.

1. It’s way better than work experience

One of the things you hear over and over at university is that you need to have extra experience when applying for jobs, beyond what you get just doing your degree. Sure, you can do work experience during the summer break, but wouldn’t you rather travel?! A structured Gap Year program like AV gives you the chance to gain work experience through volunteering and learn transferable skills that look great on your CV and job applications. The difference is, you’re doing all that in a completely new place! Why get stuck in an office over the summer when you can get experience through travelling?

2. There’s more flexibility

If you commit to a full Gap Year, you have a whole year to fill. Many people don’t have enough funds to spend the whole year travelling so you might find you end up working a job and stuck in one place. Instead, taking a Gap Year during university gives you much more flexibility. You still have all the excitement of university AND you can travel during your holidays! With opportunities like the AV summer programs, which run for 2-5 weeks, you can have all the benefits of a full Gap Year that fits perfectly in between term times.

 3. You still get to graduate with your friends

Taking a Gap Year during university, instead of before, also makes sure that you can still be with all your friends from school. You start together, graduate together and there’s no risk of fomo in between! The beauty of taking a Gap Year during university is that you get all the benefits of a real Gap Year, without missing out on the full university experience. Of course, if you’re taking a Gap Year during university, why not invite your friends along too? AV has friends discounts on offer, including 10% off travel to Kenya when you sign up with a friend.

 4. You can stay focussed

At some point in life, you’re probably going to need to get your degree. If you start studying straight away, you’re more likely to be in the right mindset for studying as you’ll have had plenty of practice during your A Levels! By taking a Gap Year during university, you can have the best of both worlds – getting much needed head space but also making sure that you put your studies first. Take a break whilst staying on track with your degree.

5. You know you’ll be ready

 At the same time, you can make sure that you’re travelling the world when you’re ready. Taking a Gap Year during university ensures that you are actually prepared to make the most out of the experience – you’ve got the confidence and independence you need from starting university and now you’re mature enough to really embrace solo travel. To make your Gap Year count, it helps to have that extra boost of experience that university can give you. Taking a Gap Year during university makes sure you’re not afraid to be yourself and follow your own path, wherever that may be.

 6. Taking a Gap Year during university prepares you for real life

 University is amazing but it’s also completely different to real life – between all day lie-ins, procrastinating in the library and hanging out in student bars, it’s easy to get stuck in the student bubble. When it’s time to head back to the real world and start working, it can be super hard to make the transition. Taking a Gap Year during university gives you the chance to get out of that bubble and get some all-important life experience. You’ll have to commit to travelling, challenging yourself and interacting with people other than students. This will make the period after graduation so much easier and give you a stronger skill skill set.

We think taking a Gap Year during university is the best because it can give you a tonne of experience, confidence and the skills you need to go out into real life and be the best version of you. Don’t just take our word for it – check out all our summer programs and experience it yourself!