A recent study found that more than 230,000 people aged between 18 and 25 years old have enjoyed a year abroad. Gap years aren’t just for university or college students. People of all ages are taking a year out from everyday life to travel the world.
There are many reasons to take a gap year. Experiencing other countries and cultures offers brilliant life experience and broadens your horizons. Gap year travel also provides plenty of opportunities to meet new people from all over the world.
In addition, for foreign language enthusiasts, taking a gap year can offer the ideal surroundings to learn your chosen language and delve deeper into the culture it originates from first-hand. While 12 months may seem like a long time, it can be difficult to fit everything you want to do into that year-long time frame.
Read on, to discover the top five things to do on a year abroad as a language lover.
Buddy up with a local
Living life like a local is a must if you want to enjoy an authentic experience during your time overseas. From a language learning point of view, buddying up with a native speaker provides the best way to learn more about the language and the culture.
Most go far beyond achieving the accuracy and fluency you’d gain in the confines of a classroom environment. The art of conversation is one often lost when learning a language. But taking a more personal and casual approach courtesy of your newfound friend, and even learning the accents and slang that helps you better interact, will strengthen your conversational skills from the very beginning.
Your new friends will help you learn so much more than a new language too, as Global Graduates details:
“It’s vital to get your foot in the door and start making new friends in your new land. It will help you in ways you can’t imagine. Friends are going to be the number one thing during your year abroad. Nothing helps you settle in faster and make you more comfortable with your surroundings, than making new friends. So make them in abundance, and make them fast.
From day one of your year abroad, you’re living on borrowed time. Your time is limited, and you don’t wanna have the regret of meeting someone late and wishing you’d have known them from the beginning of your time abroad.”
Immerse yourself in the community
Experiencing a new culture is a beautiful thing. What better way to get involved than immersing yourself in the local community? Whatever time of year you’re planning on jetting off, you’re certain to be greeted by a number of local events and experiences at your destination of choice. Relish every moment of each one, not forgetting to use the language skills you’ve picked up along the way.
Do normal things in a place far from home
There are tons of ways that you can get yourself out there during your year abroad. Although activities like jet skiing and bungee jumping will mean a couple of things can be ticked off that bucket list, you’ll be surprised by how enjoyable doing the normal things far away from home is.
Going to the cinema to catch the latest flick, eating a meal out, and cultural hotspots will not only help you take your language lessons outside and experience talking to locals.
Step outside of your comfort zone
Doing the normal things and making friends with local people and fellow travellers along the way will define your experience. Your gap year should also be about trying the things and doing the activities you wouldn’t do at home. Push yourself and step outside of your comfort zone. You’re certain to gather a few stories of your own.
Organise a homestay
Take buddying up with a native to a whole other level by staying with one. Homestays offer a number of plus points for those looking to learn a new language and experience a different culture. By staying with a homestay host family you become a part of the family unit. It’s a hands-on way to learn a new language and a successful one at that.
Interested in arranging a unique homestay for your gap year? Organise a homestay just in time for your year abroad by joining us today.
