Courses to consider before your gap year

Before you jet off, set yourself up for the best gap year possible and get a few certificates under your belt...

You're all set, you've planned your route, booked your flights and all you have to do is wait. Or do you? You don't have to sit around waiting, you could do something a little more productive! There are loads of courses out there that could help you make the most of your travels. So why not sign up to one and make your gap year adventure even better?

Time and budget

The first thing to consider is how much time you have left. Some courses are spread over a couple of months, others take place in a weekend or even a day, so what you can do will depend on when you're going travelling. Then there's the price. Travelling can be an expensive business, so you'll have to decide if you can afford to take a course before you go. Remember, most courses will pay for themselves either through the heightened experience or the skills you've developed. So before you decide you can't afford it, consider the impact of your course will have on your travels.

TEFL training - earn as you travel

A TEFL course can make a massive difference to your travels. Not only will it pay for itself, but it could help you save as you travel. With this nifty qualification under your belt, you'll be able to teach in destinations around the world. So you can travel and earn all at the same time. It's the perfect way to fund your travels and can be the difference between staying away for a couple of months and staying away for a couple of years.

TEFL courses come in all shapes and sizes, so even if you're travelling next week you can still book and complete a course before you go. Courses can take place over a weekend or even online, which means you can learn as you travel if you're short on time! If you're a little nervous about teaching English to foreign students, you can take a longer course and develop your skills further. Or if you want to learn and get straight to work, you can take an intensive weekend course.

TEFL courses are available around the world but make sure you choose a reputable provider. Look out for accreditation from independent bodies. If a TEFL company is good, they'll have plenty of happy teachers around the world. So look out for testimonials on their website and if you want real confirmation, ask to be put in touch with past TEFL students, so you can make sure it's the real thing.

Language courses

If there's one skill you want to perfect before you go, it's your foreign language skills. Speaking the local lingo can make a big difference when you travel. It opens all sorts of doors and lets you get that little bit closer to the local culture. Not only will you be able to ask for a beer, but you'll be able to chat to the locals and get insider tips on where to go and what to see.

Some languages are easier to get your head around than others. Spanish is said to be one of the easiest languages to learn and it's used across South America. Chinese is a little more difficult. Not only are there loads of different dialects, but it's so different from English that getting the hang of it can take time. If you're struggling learning at home, try doing it abroad. That way you'll have the perfect opportunity to practice your new skills in a real life situation.

Safety courses

Staying safe and healthy while you travel is really important, so it might be an idea to take a safety course before you go. It'll teach you the basic rules of travelling safely and looking after yourself. It's a great soother for parents and can put your mind at ease too. So if you're a first time traveller and you want a little extra reassurance, why not take a safety course?

And there you have it - three great courses to help you make the most of your travels. They can be really useful while you're away but they can also be luxuries you can't afford. So decide if you have the time, money and inclination to take one of these courses and go from there.

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