Help with research on gap year travel

Hello there, I was wondering if you could give me your opinion on a subject I plan to cover with my students (all mid 20's) on the idea of taking a year out either before univ, or during studies, or just after graduating or indeed mid way through their career to go traveling for up to one year. In effect thus taking a year out of their (work) career cv. How would you advise someone in their mid 20's (or even mid 30's) wanting to take this time off, given the current economic situation and the difficulty in finding a good job? What are the pros and cons of such a venture?

I have had some experience with young British people on gap years between school and university, who thought they were God's gift to mankind, teaching in developing countries. They had no training and no experience, and at times were younger than their extremely gullible students.
My advice for anyone who wants to do the volunteer sort of gap year is to get some qualifications and experience first.

Absolutely. I recommend uni students go work overseas (at real honest workaday jobs, not save the world, with no street sense.)
After their first year of uni. After getting exposure to things out therrrre. in history and quazi-anthropogy.

I advised my grand-daughter to travel, perhaps not an entire year, but at least a few months on her own. IMO, it is an incomparable broadening experience to live on another continent(s) for a while.

I advised her not to work; No one that age is old, smart, experienced enough.

Thanks:)

Try SEMESTER AT SEA by Univ. of Virginia.....Buget Travel just had an article on them and my niece is on
one for 3 months and gets 12 hrs. credit.
The tuitition is deductible to your folks or who ever under dependent kiddos.

they also have adult education ...but I found the offers lame. or not what I wanted at that time.

something economical and FRIENDLY is always MExico....I live here in Puerto Vallarta Mex and there is NO
Crime like the media throws out.

NOr in Cancun and Chipas and where the ruins and eductional features are located. It is economical and
fun for young people ....Mexico it has everything ...great food, near USA , fabulous doctors/ denists, decent highways, great bars, beaches , sightes and sounds. Good family solidarity , happy , TERRIFIC luxury
bus system.

These days prospective employers take a neutral view about people taking gap years, generally that is, it is up to the individual to ensure they turn it into a positive experience. Even if they haven't done anything 'meaningful' they will have learned something about themselves, so self development is right at the top of the list. Travel broadens the mind .........

...... I should also mention, my husband and I did this in our 30s and and in 50s, for 2 years both times. It's a scary old business when you are 'thinking' about doing something like this, but once you have done it it's certainly easier to do it again. Work wise, that depends on you as an individual, if you are resourceful you will always be able to work and earn a living.

It's a little scary at the moment because of the economic climate, but, that's not a reason NOT to do it, after all, your students may decide not to come back to the UK at all! If there are no jobs/careers to be had then why not take off for a year and let the dust settle?

I write this from the perspective of someone who has financial security and, I won't lie to you, that definitely makes life a lot easier.

Our next trip, The Appalachian Trail!

www.travelpod.com/members/50odd

It is a difficult question to answer, because many just party there time away...
Maybe not a bad idea...
Not having any time off causes stress...