One Year Off - What Should You Do?

I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted to take a year off after I graduated the danish "high school". Normally people are about 18-20 years old when they graduate depending on what they did after the mandatory first ten years of school. Some people take an eleventh year of that school before stepping into the bigger classes and some people - like me - went on exchange in another country. And then there are the people who decide that high school is not for them and go straight to the thing that they want to study. I went to Texas for a year and then I started the danish kind of high school which takes three years. That means that I just graduated 2 weeks ago! But that also means that I have to start deciding on what I want to do in my year off. I know that I have to work to earn money. And I know that I want to travel. A lot. But what are my options for traveling? There are sooo many things you can do nowadays which makes it hard to keep track of all of the possibilities. Therefore I started brainstorming. And this is what I came up with.

1. Classic getaways

Why you should choose a classic getaway:

♡ If you do not want to travel for a long time or just want to explore one place for a week or two, this is the perfect thing for you to do in your year off. You could enjoy a week in Santorini or lay on a beach at Mallorca.

♡ If you do not have a lot of money but still want to travel for a short amount of time, this is the best way to travel. Look out for deals on flight and hotel combinations from different travel agencies. If you can be a bit spontaneous, you might be lucky and find a week in Turkey, Spain or somewhere else with all-inclusive for just under $300 - and that is WITH flights included.

2. Solo travel

Why you should choose solo travel:

♡ If you like to do things at your own pace, this might be a great way for you to travel the world. You get to decide exactly where you want to go, what you want to see and when you want to see it.

♡ If you enjoy being alone sometimes without any obligations or people you need to think about, this is the perfect way to travel for you. There is nobody who depends on you and no one to please but yourself.

3. Interrail through Europe

Why you should choose interrail:

♡ If you are traveling on a budget, this is perfect for you. Traveling by train is often much cheaper than flying, which will give you more money to spend on other stuff on your trip. Also you can couchsurf or use airbnb to pay less for accommodation than you would pay at a hotel.

♡ If you like being social, this way to travel is the perfect way to meet new friends from all around the world.

♡ You can travel to 30 countries with just 1 pass. There is 15% off passes right now!

Read more or buy your interrail pass here.

4. Backpacking 

Why you should choose backpacking:

♡ This is also a cheap way to travel, if you're on a budget. Stay in cheap hostels instead of expensive resorts. Travel by train or bus instead of flying. There are many ways to make your trip less expensive.

♡ If you are interested in the different cultures around the world, this is also a great way to travel. You will get a chance to experience the local life in a different way than if you are a tourist in a city for a week.

5. Volunteer

Why you should choose volunteering:

♡ If you want to help make a positive change in the world, this is your way to help and influence the lives of other people or animals. But you need to accept that this is not a normal vacation but work. You will be put to work probably every day you are there.

♡ You will not be paid in money, but in memories and experiences. This is an incredible experience you will never forget.

♡ There are many organisations that offer volunteering programs. These are a few of them. Volunteer with Kilroy, Save a Heart or Global Contact.

6. Become a guide

Why you should become a guide:

♡ Becoming a guide is not just traveling. It becomes your work. You will get paid to live somewhere in the world and learn as much as you can about the place and then guide turists through the city. You are traveling while getting paid. What is not to love?

7. Combination of destinations

Why you should choose to combine destinations:

♡ If you want to travel for more than just a week this is the way to do it! For instance going from place to place in Asia for 2 months or island hopping in the Caribbean combined with a trip to Miami or New York. This is perfect if you want to travel to more than just one city or country.

If you are taking a year off, I hope this list inspired you or helped you decide what you want to do.

What would you do if you had one year off? Tell me in the comments below.