Taking a gap year can transform you both professionally and personally. Be it traveling around the world, enrolling in training programs, or volunteering, your accommodation options can make a major difference to your experience.
Finding the right accommodation doesn’t just mean having a place to sleep; it’s about truly creating a home base away from home that supports your goals and keeps you safe during your adventure.
In this blog, we are highlighting a few practical tips to help you choose the perfect accommodation during your gap year traveling. Here’s how to do it:
Understand what you want during your gap year and choose your accommodation accordingly.
Be it traveling to different countries, interning in a city, or attending an upskilling program, every plan has its requirements.
Have a list of non-negotiables like Wi-Fi, security, laundry, etc., while looking for your ideal accommodation.
Key Considerations:
Managing your finances on a student budget during a gap year can be a great challenge.
Among all other expenses, accommodation is probably one of the largest expenses you might come across. Here’s how to save on accommodation and plan your budget better:
If you are considering short stays, hostels are the perfect pocket-friendly option. Many hostels even offer exclusive discounts for longer stays. Hostels can also be a place to meet fellow travelers from all over the world and build a solid network.
Living in a Homestay can offer you cultural immersion as you will be living with a host family. This accommodation option also often includes homecooked meals which can help you save money on food.
Splitting your rent with roommates is cost-effective for longer stays.
For example, if you are doing a short course in London, you can opt for this option. Look for student accommodation in London with your course mates and save money by sharing the rent and household expenses.
If you plan to travel and don’t mind working, many platforms offer free living arrangements in exchange for work.
You can contribute to their requirements based on your skills and have to only work for a few hours a day; generally 2-3 hours.
Utilising student discounts on food, lifestyle products, and other essential services can contribute to effectively managing your finances without giving up on leisure and fun activities.
With everything available to us digitally, house hunting has become fairly convenient. However, the research process can still take some time and patience.
Make sure to read reviews on online platforms and join forums to read first-person accounts from forum members to find more reliable leads.
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Pro Tip: Don’t just rely on the photos on the site. Reach out to the landlord and opt for a virtual tour if you cannot visit the property. |
Gap years are the time to try something new and seek a variety of experiences. Unique and alternative living options can be a great way to elevate your gap year experience.
Let’s make accommodation a part of the adventure! Here are some alternative options to consider:
One of the most unconventional accommodation arrangements, camping, is a great option if you want to be in proximity to nature.
However, investing in good gear is a must if you want to consider this option.
A great mix of privacy and community, this option is very popular among young travelers and students in gap years.
You can join Facebook groups or connect with mutual friends or relatives for house-sitting.
This usually requires you to look after a property and/or pets in exchange for free accommodation.
Traveling during your gap year means you will have to pack your life in a bag and live on the move. Sounds romantic? While adventurous it may be, things can get pretty chaotic sometimes. The best way to handle this is to stay organized and keep track of your plans and activities.
A gap year is great if you plan it better and make the most out of it. However, choosing your accommodation options carefully is a must if you are planning a stress-free and productive gap year.
So, be patient, stay flexible, and go where the adventure takes you.
Happy travels!
How can amber help you?
amber helps you secure student accommodation of your choice on your study abroad journey. Having served 80 million students (and counting), amber is your one-stop shop for all your accommodation needs. Download the amber app from the Google Play Store or App Store to book an affordable home for your adventure.
Author’s Bio
Urza (She/They) is an avid reader and equally passionate writer. You can find her nerding out about anything and everything, especially art, music, politics, geology, and much more. She likes to create art, cook, or collect crystals when she is not writing or reading.
