Mind the Gap - Mouths of Mums

Thailand, Vietnam and Australia. These are just three of the top destinations for young travelers to visit when out on their gap year.

Used for an extended holiday, a learning experience or just as some time to plan your future, gap years are becoming more and more popular as accessibility becomes ever easier.

But how do you start planning one? With so much to think about there’s always the danger that more time can be spent on planning rather than actually doing! Travel exchange experts World First have put together a few statistics on the topic that should help your plans become a bit easier.

They’ve found that the average gap year costs around £3000 and that 75% of over 35’s wished that they had travelled more when they were younger. They also found that although 40% of people choose to go on a gap year to become more independent only 10% of trips are funded without a bit of parental help.

Take a look at the graphic below to find more about the gap year phenomenon.
An infographic by World First

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

49 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 22 Nov 2015
    8:43 am
Our landlord is currently on a gap year. He’s in his 60s! He’s currently deciding which path to take career wise. He started with apple orchards, went to a flower farm (with some kale and cauliflower seed production in between) and doesn’t know what to do next. I’ve suggested garlic growing but he hasn’t decided yet

- - smiles said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    3:10 pm
Would love to go to Vietnam I have heard it is very picturesque!

- - P&M'smum said
  - 18 Feb 2015
    10:35 am
A gay year is good because it provides exposure to a new culture and set of work ethics. Looks great on the cv too.

- - ginoula5 said
  - 15 Aug 2014
    9:15 am
Never had the opportunity to have a gap year.

- - skbou said
  - 19 Jul 2014
    11:19 pm
Would have loved a gap year :). Our neighbour’s daughter left for hers 4 years ago! ….she doesn’t show any signs of coming home yet.

- - Dennis12 said
  - 17 Jul 2014
    8:28 pm
Thailand is a great destination. I went there with my teenage daughter last year. Loved it!

- - Emilyypamela said
  - 31 May 2014
    1:31 pm
I’d love to travel more, somewhere with a nice resort. Gap years as great.

- - kazh said
  - 27 May 2014
    9:33 pm
I wish I’d had a gap year. I still haven’t decided what to do with my life.

- - coppin85 said
  - 23 May 2014
    2:41 pm
i would like to travel more

- - mom56524 said
  - 21 May 2014
    7:42 pm
I’ve always thought, nothing wrong with a gap year as long as you do something, whether its work for 6 months and travel or volunteer, you just can’t sit at home!

- - twinmum2 said
  - 21 May 2014
    12:58 pm
I wish I’d had a gap year but I’m sorry as a parent I will be very worried of my children if they choose to have one.

One good option I heard of recently however was the private schools in the UK who often employee gap year students to be tutors. They pay and accommodate the gap year students. This sound a lot safer than gap year holidays in Asia.

- - sassysonya said
  - 20 May 2014
    10:44 pm
Yes I had a gap year and it was great to have some time off before the demands of uni.

- - colleen b. said
  - 18 May 2014
    10:50 pm
I wish I had had a gap year.

- - adriennetraynor said
  - 18 May 2014
    8:56 am
I’m glad I read this. Thanks for sharing.

- - puna said
  - 17 May 2014
    7:35 pm
Vietnam is a wonderful destination for those enjoying a Gap Year to explore a culture that has so far resisted the industrialisation and modernisation of other parts of Asia (though this is rapidly changing) and ideal to learn more about how fortunate we are as a nation. Been there twice and would go again in a heartbeat.

- - mums-info said
  - 15 May 2014
    9:28 am
wish i could get away on a holiday
- meimei replied
  
  16 May 2014 , 12:06 pm
  Me too hope can holiday overseas, visit wonderful place in the world.
- - lou3 said
  - 13 May 2014
    1:19 pm
Would love the chance to go anywhere and enjoy

- - Mrs Mum said
  - 13 May 2014
    12:26 am
Wish I travelled more too

- - Gracelow said
  - 12 May 2014
    7:55 pm
My gap year was the year when I grew out of the rebellious teenage mind and really started to connect with my mum. It was really important to me.

- - rachaelchara said
  - 12 May 2014
    1:52 pm
Sounds interesting. Wish I could have gone on a gap year.