I am now in my middle years when I am going to get asked to back a gap year of travel for my youngsters. The gap year is that period of time between high school and further education at college and university.
Part of me grudges having to cough up money and believe if I'm stumping up for a big long vacation or a year to help them to see the world in a different light, to experience new work, new folk and new horizons.
And that is the dilemma for me. I had a gap year out after highschool. My gap year was one year enrolling in a military college. And that year is a year I won't ever forget and a year I turned from boy to man. The experience of military training will last for ever. Work, discipline, respect, time keeping and yes, excellence in ironing shirts!
And I imagine that is what I want of my youngsters. A coming to adulthood experience. A change from boyhood to manhood. The concept of just coughing up for a year's vacation, student travel insurance and a blank check to go without purpose is what fills me with dread.
My youngest brother went to the States to a summer camp to help out children. It enabled him to earn money, work reasonably hard and have time to see, experience and travel parts of America.
And upon reflection, that is the ideal scenario for my kids. A work diligently, play to win experience like my brother had. Whilst my gap year out was a slightly extraordinary one, the question folks ask is 'how does this year out help you ?'
Do not simply take out the cheque book and sign on to what your children say. Feed on the experiences friends and family members have had. Find chums on Facebook and see if you can find a way to get your kid work experience abroad where they can also do a little bit of travel.
Student travelling in a year out isn't a product you will find in a travel agency shop window, it's an experience to train them for their years ahead.
Part of me grudges having to cough up money and believe if I'm stumping up for a big long vacation or a year to help them to see the world in a different light, to experience new work, new folk and new horizons.
And that is the dilemma for me. I had a gap year out after highschool. My gap year was one year enrolling in a military college. And that year is a year I won't ever forget and a year I turned from boy to man. The experience of military training will last for ever. Work, discipline, respect, time keeping and yes, excellence in ironing shirts!
And I imagine that is what I want of my youngsters. A coming to adulthood experience. A change from boyhood to manhood. The concept of just coughing up for a year's vacation, student travel insurance and a blank check to go without purpose is what fills me with dread.
My youngest brother went to the States to a summer camp to help out children. It enabled him to earn money, work reasonably hard and have time to see, experience and travel parts of America.
And upon reflection, that is the ideal scenario for my kids. A work diligently, play to win experience like my brother had. Whilst my gap year out was a slightly extraordinary one, the question folks ask is 'how does this year out help you ?'
Do not simply take out the cheque book and sign on to what your children say. Feed on the experiences friends and family members have had. Find chums on Facebook and see if you can find a way to get your kid work experience abroad where they can also do a little bit of travel.
Student travelling in a year out isn't a product you will find in a travel agency shop window, it's an experience to train them for their years ahead.
About the Author:
Paul Godin writes for InsureDirect who provide travel insurance for students and lots of other specialist travel insurance policies.
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