Page 16 - IFV September Issue 2025

Today’s Child

miNd thE GAP

Why some teens need a pause

— and what to do with it

BY NICOLA KILLOPS

y the end of matric, most kids fall Netherlands for a year, and that’s when young adults in wildlife sanctuaries or
into one of two camps: Camp “I things clicked. I came home knowing conservation centres. They learn about
BKnow Exactly What I Want”, and exactly what I wanted to study – and animal care, conservation ethics, and
Camp “Please Don’t Ask Me That Yet.” I’ve loved every minute of the career (let’s be honest) doing your share of the
Both are valid. But only one of them that followed. grunt work.
gets treated like they’re on track. Sometimes kids need momentum. Great for: Nature lovers, aspiring
Here’s the thing: not every 18-year- Sometimes they need a break. The skill vets, or anyone who wants to do
old is supposed to have a career path is knowing which one applies. something meaningful and offline for a
mapped out. For some, a gap year is not So what does a “good” gap year bit.
a delay – it’s a lifeline. And not the “sit actually look like?
on the couch and figure life out” kind. It should have at least one of these: Adventure & Growth Camps
I’m talking about a year with purpose A skill learned Not everyone’s built for lecture halls just
– where they try new things, develop A real-world experience gained yet. Programmes like Quest Africa and
life skills, maybe travel, maybe work, Some income or independence Warriors Academy focus on physical
and most importantly, get to know earned challenges, life skills, and personal
themselves outside of school. A slightly more grown-up version of growth. Think hiking, building, leading,
your child at the end of it failing, recovering – all in a group of
My own not-so-linear route Here are some of the better-known equally confused 18-year-olds figuring
I left school in 1996 with exactly zero (and lesser-known) gap year options out life.
clarity about what I wanted to do. doing the rounds in 2025 – and what Great for: Kids who need to build
So I did what many directionless they’re actually like. grit, confidence, and independence
teenagers do – I signed up for a BA with before choosing a career path.
random subjects and hoped inspiration Six Worthwhile Gap Year Paths
would strike. Wildlife Volunteering Au Pairing Abroad
It didn’t. If your teen is animal-mad and not scared You get board, meals, a stipend, and an
I lasted six months before finally of hard work or the occasional goat instant crash course in how other people
admitting defeat and asking to take a smell, this is golden. Programmes like live. You also get to look after children,
gap year. I ended up au pairing in the Care for Wild, Moholoholo, or ACE place which means you grow up very quickly.

14 • September 2025 • The Villager