Why do a gap year?
Personal growth
Looking for adventure and the opportunity to travel and immerse yourself in other cultures? Have you chosen a university course or a career, but you need some time to think about your future?
Perhaps you are craving independence, but you would still like to have the security of being part of a bigger peer group that works and travels together?
Whatever your reason for deciding to take a gap year, previous clients agree that it is a once in a lifetime experience that they will never forget.
Cultural experience
Scenery. History. Sport. Nightlife. Royalty. Theatre. There are so many reasons why the UK is one of the world’s top tourist destinations and the most well known gap year destination.
Take a tour of London on a red double decker bus. Watch a Premier League soccer game. See the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Visit the properties on the Monopoly board. Eat strawberries at Wimbledon or barrack for the Aussies (if you dare) at Lords.
Your Gap Network boarding school placement will sometimes include school trips within the UK. It’s also an ideal and affordable base from which you can explore Europe on your weekends and holidays.
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the bustling sights of London or escape to the spectacular countryside, spending your gap year in a UK boarding school will provide you with the location, time and opportunity to experience British and European cultures.
"I worked as a 'General Assistant' along with four other gaps. Our job entailed a range of responsibilities such as boarding house supervision, teaching, sports coaching, lifeguard supervision at the pool, administration work in the office, catering for functions, and even grounds-work!"
Rob
Who can apply?
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
Aged between 17-25 years
Have completed secondary schooling prior to arrival in the UK
Be eligible for a passport from one of the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, UK, South Africa, Europe or Canada
No significant pre-existing health conditions
No criminal convictions or a police record
What does it cost?
To make an application through The Gap Network, a non-refundable application fee of $195 AUD plus GST ($214.50 AUD) is payable at the time of lodging your form. Your application fee covers all costs associated with receiving, compiling, preparing and presenting your application documents following your Gap Network Interview.
The remaining fee is a placement fee of $2200 AUD plus GST ($2420.00 AUD) which is only payable on confirmation and acceptance of a gap placement. Noe that we ask that candidates who receive an offer must accept or reject within 48 hours to allow us to follow up with other candidates of interest.
The total cost of a Gap Network application and placement is: $2634.50 incl. GST.
Please note: Unlike competitors, The Gap Network offers you affordable, flexible and personalised service. We do not require you to purchase your airfares, travel insurance or non-essential services from us. We can guide and advise you on your options, but the choice is yours!
What are schools looking for?
A gap year assistant role is a full-time position as member of staff.
Schools are looking for young people with strong all-round characteristics, across academic, sporting, cultural, and leadership dimensions.
During the application process, The Gap Network is focused on helping you best express these parts of your background and experience. We interview and then create candidate profiles, supported by references and other documentation, to make sure you make the strongest possible impression when our network schools review your profile.
Our application form allows The Gap Network to gather the essential initial information needed to assess your suitability as a candidate for a gap year.
You will fill in basic information about who you are, including your:
academic studies
sporting achievements
cultural activities
community involvement.
Prior experience of leadership
Will I get to know other Gap Networkers who are going to the UK?
Yes.
We want to make sure that all our cohort is connected ahead of departure to the UK. Depending on your location, this may take the form of an in-person gathering hosted by The Gap Network, or inclusion into the private online group for your cohort.
The Gap Network will assist you in arranging transfers to your host school. On arrival in the UK, there is also the option of beginning your gap experience with one or two nights in London.