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 We compare the cost of staying at home to going on a structured gap year course in South Africa
DOES TAKING A GAP YEAR COST A LOT?
Probably the biggest challenge for people wanting to take a gap between school and further studies is the perceived cost, both in money and time. Taking a year off just to ‘take a break’ can often end up being a waste of time if not properly thought through and planned, and many gap year organizations operating programs in South Africa charge large amounts of US dollars or British pounds per week.
Ultimately the perceived value of taking a gap year is relative to an understanding of the benefits compared to the costs. The better gap year programs offer a structured curriculum, and run for seven to ten months. The benefits for participants include an improved self esteem and understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses, additional skills and qualifications, the ability to leverage these newly developed skills, and a larger network of friends. The cost of such a program usually includes accommodation, food, activities, transport and courses, and excludes travel costs to and from the country of origin, travel insurance, medical expenses, visas, and entertainment.
The following simple analysis of the costs of taking a structured gap year compared to staying at home makes many assumptions which will not apply to most people. It merely indicates a method of determining the true (differential) cost of taking a gap year.
Our gap year student
- Jasmine, 19 years old
- Resident outside of South Africa (in the UK)
- Planning to study at college after a gap year / year out
- Not sure of which career to pursue
- Will do a short course over 3 months if she stays at home
Jasmine wants to have fun and meet new people during her gap year. She decides to do a program in South Africa running over a period of seven months.
Her costs are:
Program, including accommodation, food and R102,200
all activities
Return flight (London / Johannesburg) (£750) R 8,000
Travel Insurance (£27) R 295
Entertainment and personal expenses (7 months) R 7,000
Total cost of 7 month structured gap year R117,495
If Jasmine stays at home for the same 7 month period her costs would be (including a family holiday):
Food (£180 per month) R 14,000
Clothing (£80 per month) R 6,200
Electricity & water (£50 per month) R 3,800
Transport costs (bus) (£100 per month) R 7,500
Entertainment (£200 per month) R 15,400
Cell phone (£40 per month) R 3,100
Short course (3 months) (£1,750) R 19,250
Join family on holiday to Greece
(flight, hotel for 10 days, food, etc.) R 20,500
Total cost at home for 7 months R 89,750
The difference of R27,745 (or R3,964 per month) is the real money cost of taking a seven month gap.
Are the benefits of the program and the time out before studying or joining the world of work worth the cost? Here are some comments from graduates of the Warriors program:
- “(I) developed my people skills tremendously... I have a higher self-esteem, and more self-confidence than I have ever had” Kate
- “Melanie…lacked self-confidence and did not believe in her own abilities... She (is now) a confident, cheerful young lady who is not fearful to face her future and she radiates out confidence, positive energy and an inner beauty.” Parents, Melanie
- “The energy, purpose, vitality, self confidence, and inner steel that (Harry) came back with, along with a decisive plan for his future, is testament to the magic that this organisation weaves.” Jane, Harry’s mother
Looking at the benefits of a vastly improved sense of self worth and self confidence, and better knowledge of oneself and one’s purpose in life, is the cost excessive? Compare this cost with the cost of a failed year at university. In South Africa 40% of first year students fail (University World News, Issue 3); in the UK the proportion of students failing to finish the degree course they started is about 22 per cent (Higher Education Statistics Agency). The main contributing factors are financial difficulties, working whilst studying, poor career choices, domestic problems, pregnancy and too much partying. A ‘graduate’ of a structured gap year program will be better equipped to avoid most of these factors due to the benefits already mentioned.
Ultimately it comes down to the student and the parents of the student. For those students who are unsure of their path in life, or who struggle with their motivation, surely postponing further studies for a year to participate in a structured gap year experience with other young, adventurous people can only help to beat the odds faced at universities!
Do your research, start saving early, set goals and outcomes, make a plan, and go for it – Design Your Life!
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If you mention taking a ‘gap year’ to people you will probably receive variations on one of two reactions:
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