5 Ways to beat the post-gap year blues
Seoul, South Korea
If you’ve just returned from a gap year, you may find yourself still dreaming of the cobbled streets of Paris or the lively markets of Marrakesh… while staring down the barrel of another PTV train ride.
Returning to the classroom can feel like the end of an adventure, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, travelling while at uni can be a whole new adventure in itself. Here are five ways to keep that wanderlust alive while simultaneously earning yourself a degree.
1. Travel without breaking the bank
Funds for an airfare? Pff. Funds for the train are hard enough! If it’s tricky to imagine saving the small fortune you’ll need to travel again, it’s time for a rainbow and a pot of gold. Enter travel scholarships.
Swinburne alumni Sam Williams had much of his study tour to Hong Kong funded by the government’s New Colombo Plan.
It’s a scholarship for students travelling to neighbouring Asia-Pacific countries, and it can cover airfares, study costs and application fees.
‘This scholarship enabled me to give my education an international perspective and start my career in Hong Kong,’ said Sam.
‘I am positive that the cultural awareness and communication skills I gained abroad will be invaluable as I commence an internationally-focused career.’
The New Colombo Plan is just one of many funding options. Swinburne students can also access travel grants from AUD$1,000 up to $7,000. Savvy on socials? Consider applying for a Content Ambassador Travel Grant worth $3,000 to simply document your experiences while you travel. Yearning for the UK? A range of partner universities offer funding through the Butex International Scholarships program.
And of course, there’s also the government’s OS-HELP Loans, which can provide loans of up to AUD$8,817 that are added to your HECS debt.
That airfare is already looking a little more likely.
2. Itinerary anxiety? Help is here.
Planning a trip can be a lot. But there are plenty of resources at your fingertips, including the Swinburne Abroad team. They can help you plan, answer your questions, and support you through the whole experience.
‘Come and speak to us if you’re curious,’ said Alastair, a Swinburne Abroad advisor.
‘All our staff have either studied, worked or lived abroad, so we're really passionate about student mobility.’
The team can help with planning and preparation, such as organising insurance, flights and accommodation, plus how to thrive overseas.
All you need to do is pack your bags and grab your passport!
3. Study break = study tour
Uni has blessed you with months-long breaks and this is the perfect time to scratch your travel itch.
An overseas study tour combines travel with a study-related immersion outside of the classroom. Led by Swinburne academics, the tours give you on-the-ground insights into industries across the globe. And they’re conveniently offered for two to four weeks during summer and winter holidays.
Emily was a Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) student when she undertook a three-week study tour to China.
‘The highlights for me were definitely visiting MAD architects, walking the Great Wall of China and going to Disneyland,’ said Emily. ‘The Great Wall of China is not only a wonder of the world but an architectural masterpiece.’
If you’re keen to travel but not long-term, overseas study tours are a great option. They offer practical experience and really stand out on your resume. Plus, you get academic credit for them, too.
‘While at MAD Architects we saw how a global, award-winning design studio works,’ said Emily. The experience offered ‘the perfect opportunity to develop as a designer and as an individual.’
Study tour locations for 2024 include Fiji, Korea, India, Japan, Berlin and more.
Getting a step closer to graduating as you sojourn across the globe? Yes please.
4. Live as the locals do
Overseas internships and semester-long exchanges allow you to really become immersed in the local culture. With an internship, you’ll get incredible overseas industry experience, while on exchange you’ll get to live the overseas uni life.
Swinburne student Josh completed an overseas internship in South Korea.
‘You're not alone when you go overseas through Swinburne. You have others with you and that was really reassuring,’ he said.
'We'd go to our design jobs during the day. Then after, we'd all meet up for dinner and explore Seoul together.’
As he spent more time overseas, Josh’s social networks expanded and he began to see things through a local's perspective.
Josh visited new places like Ikseon-dong (famous for its café culture) and tried new foods like nakji-bokkeum (spicy, stir-fried octopus) – which ended up being highlights of his trip.
Working at Swinburne Abroad, Alastair has seen first-hand the impact these travel experiences have on students, as they return more motivated, independent and mature.
‘It can be life-changing,’ Alastair said. ‘It definitely sparks a curiosity and, once that curiosity begins, it's hard to shut off.’
5. Adventure on-campus
If, for whatever reason, you can’t make your overseas journey a reality this time, you can still find adventure at uni.
Why not start your own custom (siesta at the late lab?), try out an elective with a global perspective (think: Global History or International Indigenous Perspectives), or join one of Swinburne’s many culture clubs (Burmese, Cambodian, Bangladeshi… the list goes on). It's the perfect chance to step outside of your comfort zone and learn something new.
And there's plenty of exploring to do along Glenferrie Road, with opportunities to taste a cultural smorgasbord of delicacies.
Uni is meant to offer some of the greatest experiences of your life, after all. So, fear not gap-year returners, the adventure isn’t over. In fact, it’s only just beginning.
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