Taking a gap year, intermediate period or sabbatical abroad?

• A gap year is a longer period between two courses, between a course and a job or between two jobs. Where you more or less consciously choose not to switch directly from one to the other
• A gap year is generally not literally a year but can vary from a few months to a year
• The international term for a gap year is 'gap year', although gap year is more often used when it comes to a less serious interpretation of the period

How can you fill a gap year abroad?

• You can perfect your language skills and take classes in subjects of your choice, from art and history to media studies.
• You can also gain work experience and improve your skills by doing an internship at a local company.
• You can help yourself and someone else by doing volunteer work.
• You can fill your backpack with experiences by going on a long trip or around the world.
• You can also do it all and not make it a gap year, but the starting year of the rest of your (meaningful) life.

Why should you take a gap year abroad or gap year?

• work or learning experience in areas that may be important for your study choice or career. Before you choose a direction, it is nice to have some idea of ​​what you are getting into
• experience of immersing yourself in another culture, without being bothered by your friends, family or other limitations
• a mountain of self-knowledge that you will continue to benefit from throughout your life
• a lot of new friends or acquaintances

What do you need for a gap year abroad or gap year?

• Sufficient budget to last as long as you want, or enough work ethic to start earning money on the spot
• The realization that when you return you may want to leave immediately... so take enough time to acclimatize at home
• The realization that after the period you have been away you might start to think very differently about your future
• The realization that after the period you have been away you might feel exactly the same way about your future

What are the risks of a gap year abroad?

• Your health insurance coverage may lapse if, for example, you work abroad
• You may suffer from homesickness and want to go home earlier (but you can do quite a lot about it and prepare for it!)
• You may have problems with the organization you are traveling abroad with (read more under solving problems abroad)

What are the consequences if you end up in hospital, for example?

• If you end up in hospital, you may have to pay for the costs yourself if you do not have insurance that covers your activities

Are you insured for a gap year abroad?

• A gap year abroad can be covered by your current travel and health insurance if you do not go abroad for too long or do not undertake any paid work or special activities. In most cases, special insurance is advisable or really necessary
• Read more :Fair Insurances and insurances for long term abroad