Page 22 - Cornwall Issue 2 2025

TRAVEL

A gap year can be more than a chance to blow off steam and have fun. It

can be life-affirming, offering opportunities for personal growth, cultural
exposure and professional development.

ost is the first hurdle for many • Visa costs; money. Alternatively, jobs such as
young South Africans planning to • Travel insurance - a medical au pairing can provide income and
spend time overseas. Flights and emergency, theft, flight or other cover accommodation and meal
Cthe relative weakness of the rand cancellations could ruin your trip. costs.
against most major currencies make travel Ensure you’re adequately covered; • Volunteering or participating in
expensive to popular gap-year destinations • Transport when you arrive; educational programmes. While
such as Europe, the UK, USA and Australia. • Accommodation; these may not provide an income,
• Meals; and they often offer other support such
According to Gavyn Letley from specialist • A contingency for unexpected as meals and accommodation.
loans provider DirectAxis, turning the dream costs.
of an overseas adventure into reality starts • If this all seems daunting or you’re unsure
with setting a budget. This may seem a When budgeting, consider the cost of about the people or organisations where you
mundane way to begin the trip of a lifetime, living at your destination as it may be are applying, there are specialist agencies
but it will reduce the stress of constantly more expensive than in South Africa. Once which can help. The benefits of working with
worrying about money, and potentially you understand the costs you can start an agency are:
cutting the trip short. considering how to fund the trip. Common • It will guide you through visa
strategies are: applications and work permits.
While it’s difficult to budget for the unknown, • Getting a part- or full-time job. • Its networks of employers
he suggests starting by listing expected • Working while travelling. A paid make it easier to get seasonal
expenses, which include: internship will offer valuable work work or jobs in sectors such
• Airfares; experience and some spending as hospitality, au pairing and
20 Cornwall View • Issue 2 2025