ADD ADVICE TO FAVLearning abroad
You may have just finished studying and feel like you never want to see a textbook ever again, but that’s not all that learning is about.
Immersing yourself in another culture is in itself a learning experience, and there is much more besides that you can enjoy, be it academic study, language learning or picking up a new hobby.
Travelling abroad doesn’t have to mean backpacking across ruins or slogging it out for a minimally paid job. If you simply want a change of scene, but still have a thirst for learning, a change of environment and a different culture may provide you with the ideal opportunity to learn in new and exciting ways.
Learning languages abroad
There are academic courses across the world in which you could enrol, and amongst them are language courses. There are a many language schools worldwide, and there is a wide selection of UK companies that represent language schools abroad.
Here are a handful of these language course operators:
Of course, if you want to just chill out and learn the language ad hoc, nothing beats immersing yourself in a country and using it in day-to-life while interacting with locals. Before long, you may find yourself dreaming in another language!
Arts and culture abroad
Depending on your interests, there are many other things you can learn about abroad – from exploring the history of a country to a making the most of what a region is famous for. For instance, you could take an art course in Florence, a film course in New York or a history course in Rome. You can even explore your creative side with a drama or opera singing classes.
You can combine your hobbies with language learning in some course programmes, exploring your interests with classes in local cuisine, dancing and art in ’language activity holidays’ (see, for example, www.caledonialanguages.co.uk). Longer-staying travellers should explore the options of extended courses at local colleges.
Take these types of opportunities to do and find out about things you’ve always been curious about, while at the same time adding to your skills or your art portfolio.
Sports courses abroad
If you’re looking for an adventure, make your gap year as energetic and fun as possible by taking a course in a sport that you wouldn’t ordinarily indulge in. Available at all levels, outdoor activity courses range from surfing and scuba diving to advanced ski instructor qualification courses.
Be careful, however, to check you have all the required insurance before you go – accidents can happen.
