A gap year abroad: why it's worth it

What are the benefits of a gap year abroad?

The biggest benefit of a gap year abroad is time: time to find out what you really want. You don’t have to rush into a degree just because the application deadline is coming up. Instead, you discover what you enjoy and what you’re good at, while you work and live in another country. One thing’s for sure: you don’t stand still, because you keep growing all year

Along the way, you build independence and work experience. Two things you’ll use for years, on your CV and beyond. You do your own grocery shopping, figure out the metro, and cook for yourself and your housemates (or just order pizza).

At work, you’re surrounded by people who made the same move you did. Sometimes they’re fellow Dutch or German speakers, but at an international company your colleagues often come from all over the world. Before you know it, you’re planning your first weekend away together.

Can you earn money and live abroad during your gap year?

Yes, and that's exactly what makes it different from a year of travelling. You're not hopping from hostel to hostel with a backpack. You live where you work. After a few weeks you have a favourite coffee spot, a regular supermarket and a group of friends to meet up with.

Living with others who had also moved away from home helped me feel at home much faster! - Nynke

Then there’s the money. A year of travelling means flights, hostels and food on the road, so you have to save hard first. With a job abroad, it works the other way round. You get a salary every month and use it to pay for your life there. For many of the jobs on Yobbers, your flight is paid for. Some employers also arrange your accommodation, and some even offer free breakfast and lunch at the office. How much you earn and what your schedule looks like depends on the employer and the role. You’ll find those details in each vacancy.

Curious what that looks like in real life? Read how Nynke moved to Lisbon straight after school, and why the beach became her favourite place after work. 

Do you need work experience for a job abroad?

No, for many jobs abroad you don't need any work experience. Think of customer service, where you help customers in Dutch or German and speak English with your international colleagues. You learn most of what you need during training, and the rest on the job. 

Not sure if your English is good enough? Nynke wasn't either. Looking back, there was no need to worry: in an international city like Lisbon, most people speak English, and you get better at it every week. Browse jobs abroad that need no experience and see straight away where you could start.

You won’t regret leaving (you can always come back), but you might regret never having gone.- Nynke

If you end up working in Lisbon, you take the train to Cascais after your shift for a swim or your first surf lesson. 🌊 In Spain, you cycle through Valencia's Turia Park straight to the beach, where the sun sets late. And if you go for a job in Greece, you spend your evenings with colleagues on a rooftop terrace in Athens, with the Acropolis in the distance.

How do you arrange a gap year abroad with Yobbers?

Applying through Yobbers is free. After you apply, a recruiter reaches out to you. They help you with the next steps and explain what you need to sort out for your move.

Not sure where you want to go yet? No problem. Just apply for a job that appeals to you, and your recruiter will talk you through all the options, with no strings attached. Maybe Valencia turns out to suit you better than Lisbon, or the other way around.

Whether you get help finding accommodation depends on the employer. Your recruiter tells you upfront exactly what's arranged for your job, so you know what to expect.

A year from now, you'll be telling stories about your housemates, your favourite beach and that one colleague who became your best friend. Or you’ll be the one who almost went. Check out the jobs for your gap year abroad! 🏄‍♀️