TL;DR — The Quick Version
- Not sure what to do after high school? Travel. Seriously.
- Travelling before university builds confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills you can’t get in a classroom. You’ll make lifelong friends from around the world, discover who you actually are, and come back with a much clearer idea of what you want to do next.
- You have no commitments, no responsibilities, and the most free time you’ll ever have. A gap year isn’t falling behind — it’s getting ahead.
- Bottom line: If you’re even slightly considering it, do it. You won’t regret it.
Why Travel and Take a Gap Year?
Travelling as a young adult is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have — and one of the hardest to put into words unless you’ve done it. Whether you’re considering a gap year, wondering if you should travel before university, or just looking for a reason to get out of your comfort zone, this post is for you.
Seeing the Alps for the first time. Eating your first plate of pasta in Italy. Standing before a 2000-year-old Roman ruin. These moments can’t really be put into words — it’s more than excitement. It’s a feeling that becomes addictive, and one you can only experience through travel.
Finishing High School
Finishing high school is a big achievement. After 13 years of hard work, for the first time you have no agenda, no routine — just a world of opportunity. At first, it is a joyous, freeing feeling, but as it all settles down, it can become confronting and pressuring trying to figure out what to do next.
In my opinion, the majority of students finishing high school don’t know exactly what they want to do next — and I don’t blame them. After all, why should we have to decide at 17–18 years old what our careers and the rest of our lives should look like?
When we feel this way, we, more often than not revert to what makes us most comfortable – going to university for the sake of it, going straight to work and sometimes even doing nothing. But that’s okay. That is completely normal. That is just a human reaction. You are young, you’re just trying to figure out the next step.
However, especially as we develop into adults, we need to step out of our comfort zones to discover ourselves. If we’re not unlocking new emotions – whether that’s fear, excitement, wonder – are we really learning about ourselves? We need to experience new things, meet new people, make connections and make irreplaceable memories.
Your late teens should be a period of self-discovery, not spent doing things that don’t make you happy. And there’s no better way to start that journey than by taking a gap year to travel.
Personal Growth
Putting yourself in unfamiliar environments builds maturity and sharpens your problem-solving skills — and that’s one of the biggest benefits of travelling before university. When you travel, you encounter problems you’ve probably never come across before.
You’re exploring a world you had little understanding of before — interacting with locals, trying their food, and discovering new corners of a country.
Even if it might not feel it at the time, being uncomfortable drives positive change within yourself.
If you’re thinking about where to start, my guide on When and Where Young Travellers Should Go in Europe can help you plan.
Unlocking New Emotions: Self-Discovery
Stepping into a new environment triggers feelings of vulnerability, excitement and independence all at once.
You might not notice it in the moment, but every small win – ordering in a foreign language, being understood, getting exactly what you asked for – is a step in your self-discovery. Each one builds confidence and independence, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
Your new surroundings force you to rely on yourself, which builds a lot of confidence even if you can’t feel it in the moment.
That’s what makes travelling at a young age so valuable — it teaches you who you are. A gap year isn’t just about discovering new places; it’s about discovering yourself and gaining a deeper understanding of life.
When you travel, everything is a first. In a matter of even three weeks of travelling, you will have had more first times than you did from the first day of school.
Friends and Connections
One of the best things about travelling is the people you’ll meet and the friendships you’ll build. When you travel, you encounter people from entirely different cultures, backgrounds, and ways of life. Conversations that begin as small talk in a hostel kitchen or on a long bus ride often turn into meaningful friendships.
Some of my closest friends today live on different continents. Travel has allowed me to build connections that stretch across the globe.
In my experience, the connections you make while travelling can be just as valuable as what you learn in a lecture hall. The ability to communicate across cultures, form genuine friendships, and understand people different from yourself is a skill that lasts a lifetime.
No Commitments
You might not feel it yet, but as you get older, commitments will inevitably come — whether that’s study, relationships, work, or a career.
When you finish high school, you have no commitments at all. You are completely free for the first time. So why not take advantage of the freedom? Travel before life catches up to you.
Travel while you can, while you have the time and the freedom. Too many people rush into studying and careers without ever really discovering who they are. If you’re asking yourself “should I take a gap year?” — the answer is almost always yes.
You have the rest of your life to study and work. Take advantage of your age, and GO LOOK OUTSIDE.
If you’re Australian and thinking about working abroad during your gap year, have a look at my guide on European Working Holiday Visas for Australians.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes. Some studies consistently show that students who take a gap year return to education more focused, more motivated, and with a clearer sense of direction. A gap year gives you time to grow, gain independence, and figure out what you actually want — rather than rushing into a degree you’re not sure about.
No. In fact, many universities actively encourage students to take a gap year. Most universities allow you to defer your offer for a year. Check with your university’s admissions office for their specific deferral policy.
Many young travellers work and save for 3-6 months before leaving. You can also look into working holiday visas, which let you work abroad legally. Programs like WWOOF offer free accommodation in exchange for work. A gap year doesn’t have to be expensive — it just takes planning. For Australians, check out: European Working Holidays for Australians 2026.
Most people take a gap year at 17–19, straight after finishing high school. But there’s no wrong age. Whether you’re 18 or 25, the benefits of travel and self-discovery apply just the same.
