Working Holiday Visas: UK Youth Make Gap Year Money

August 14 2008 by Bryan Palmer

It is that time of the year again, time for school leavers to decide whether to go to university or embark on a year of travel and adventure. Many A-level graduates opt for the gap year, but could the crippling credit crunch deter these potential travellers?

It is clear that the gap year is not dead. There are an estimated 30 000 UK youths who take up gap year opportunities. But the ideas around what constitutes a gap year have changed as more school-leavers take a year off to make money to pay for their university fees, reports www.globalvisas.com.

The market for gap years is still booming, with around 1/3rd of those destined for university taking time off. And the reasons for such a travel experience vary greatly, from wanting a break from study pressures, working to save money to further ones education, working to gain experience to travelling the world.

Australia is the most popular destination for British school-leavers, with as many as 11% of those in Australia on Working Holiday visas coming from the United Kingdom. This visa allows youths between the ages of 18 and 30 to work and live Down Under for 12 months.

Tourism Australia aims to retain the countries popularity in relation to this visa. And the extension of this visa should do just that. A second Working Holiday visa is now being offered where a second year of working and living in the country is available to those who do specific work, including construction or fruit picking in the regional areas.

Other popular gap year choices include work on a volunteer visa in South Africa, getting work experience abroad or coaching a sport like snowboarding in Quebec, Canada. Others choose to explore foreign lands and immerse themselves in the culture of a country through learning the language and working for local NGOs.

More and more gap year travellers are however looking for opportunities that will be of value to them in the future, either financially or in terms of gaining experience in activities that are especially useful for future students, such as language learning, volunteering and working.

For years British youths have taken a year off before going off to university, but their common experiences during this year are changing. Instead of spending money to laze on the beaches of India or Thailand, people are now opting for more valuable or money making experiences.

This is ultimately due to rising expenses in relation to fuel, food and travel which are based on the economic depression that has affected not only daily life but also travel opportunities. And with credit crunch looking like it is here to stay for a while, young people embarking on a journey to make and save money is set to continue.

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