Gap Year during Covid

[mindthegapyear]

Has anyone had experience of this? What have your DC been able to do?

DD has just finished a law degree and is due to start studying again in January. She wanted 5 months of travelling, but that looks out of the question. Have any DC managed to get away or has it been a year of working?

Yes my son travelled between January and June 2021 to various countries in Central America and apparently so did every other European on a gap year! He went to Costa Rica, Guatemala, El salvador and Mexico and had an amazing time

I have serious questions about how ethical it is to go travelling to developing countries in the middle of a global pandemic.
Slightly better in countries with well funded healthcare, but to be honest I doubt they'll want us.
Better to do some UK based volunteering, or even paid work in another part of the country (if you can secure accommodation). What about trying to get temporary job or offering to litterpick on a festival site or? Reading, Leeds and Boardmasters are all going ahead.

OP, my DD finished her first degree this time last year and was planning to take some time off travelling, but she was particularly keen to go to Australia and obviously that was a non-starter. So instead she decided to get straight on with her Masters and re-evaluate after that. This way she feels she hasn't been on 'hold' for a year and can hopefully travel in the future… Would starting her next bit of studying earlier be a possibility for your DD?

My DD is taking a gap year before uni in September 2022. She's working at the moment, saving up to do some traveling next year. She knows she'll have to be flexible about where she goes.

Even if she doesn't get to travel much I think it's still better defer uni for a year.

@IsobelEd the pandemic is not going away anytime soon. How many years are we supposed to put our lives on hold for?

Litter picking on a festival site? If commercial enterprises want people to pick up up after lazy middle class kids who can't be bothered to take their rubbish home, they should pay for it.

If the OP's child has to stay in the U.K., there are plenty of charities who welcome volunteers in roles that are much more rewarding.

they often need staff at festivals

but assuming you test negative you can travel abroad, just a matter of ensuring you are negative, and getting great health insurance.

how about the fruit picking that was discussed a year ago

Three of dds class of 2020 managed a decent gap year.. Two headed for Central America (as per seasonfinales ds), one managed to visit Kenya, Namibia, Egypt and Central America... They all seem to have had a fab time.

@Daisysway, that sounds amazing, good for them. My DD and friends know they'll have to be flexible about where they go but I'm sure they'll be able to get away somewhere.